Staré Hory: Educational Trails, Nature and Mining History

Staré Hory brings together several themes to help you plan your stay: educational trails, protected nature, mining history and Marian pilgrimage. To plan your visit, it helps to look at the specific differences between the trails and the historic sites within the municipality. This way, you can decide which aspects matter for your trip before looking for a hotel in Staré Hory.

Educational trails of varying lengths

The “Lesnícky náučný chodník Jozefa Dekreta Matejovie” educational trail runs for 9.5 km from Dolný Jelenec to Staré Hory and has 13 stations. It is self-guided, follows a linear walking route and can be walked in either direction. The route is also open year-round. The “Partizánsky chodník” runs from Špania Dolina to Staré Hory, is 11 km long and has five stations.

Both educational trails end in Staré Hory, but differ in length and number of stations: the Jozef Dekret Matejovie trail is shorter and has more stations, while the Partizánsky chodník is longer and has fewer. These key details provide a concrete comparison when weighing up your planned route. The “Barborská cesta” offers another route connection: its first stage runs from Banská Bystrica to Staré Hory.

Protected nature and landscape

The Jozefa Dekreta Matejovie educational trail runs through Veľká Fatra National Park and the protected area of Dekretov porast. Dekretov porast, above Rybô, covers 6.22 ha. Its valuable woodland includes larches, spruces, firs and beeches that are nearly 200 years old. Protected Majerova skala is a natural feature with a striking rock formation; its protection also covers the protected and endangered plant and animal species found there.

These sites represent different connections with nature: the educational trail passes through designated protected areas, while Majerova skala is described as a protected natural feature. Details about Dekretov porast add specific information on its area and old-growth trees. Together with the trail information, this gives an overview of nature-related themes without presenting the individual sites as one combined route.

Mining history and remembrance

Staré Hory was established in the 13th century as a mining settlement. A private permanent exhibition beside the “Kaplnka sv. Anny” chapel documents the mining history of Staré Hory and its associated mining settlements through texts and images. It displays 377 collection items. A regional local-history exhibition at Staré Hory 106 opened in 2010.

Crafts and remembrance are also part of the area’s history. Starohorská lace-making is a distinctive expression of folk art and is connected with the municipality’s mining tradition. In the settlement of Dolný Jelenec, the MOR-HO monument is dedicated to members of the fifth battalion of the “Pomstiteľ” partisan brigade. Another monument to Jozef Dekret Matejovie near Dolný Jelenec was unveiled on 16 September 1913 and is considered the oldest monument dedicated to him. Every year, Staré Hory holds a public commemorative event for the Slovak National Uprising (SNP), with a cultural and sports programme.

Marian pilgrimage and sacred sites

The Marian pilgrimage tradition of Staré Hory dates back to the end of the 15th century. The “Rímskokatolícky Kostol Návštívenia Panny Márie” church was granted the status of a minor basilica in 1990. The “Bazilika návštevy Panny Márie” basilica is a centre of Marian devotion in the Diocese of Banská Bystrica. Studnička today refers to an expanded pilgrimage complex.

The chapels also add specific details to the religious heritage. The “Kaplnka sv. Anny” chapel was built in 1794, renovated in 1832 and given new interior furnishings; it continues to serve its religious purpose. Staré Hory Calvary includes the “Kaplnka Panny Márie Sedembolestnej” chapel, which dates to 1893. For planning your trip, you can consider the long pilgrimage tradition, the church’s status and the different construction dates of the chapels separately.

Getting around

The E77 trunk road passes through Staré Hory and lies on the route between Banská Bystrica and Ružomberok. This road connection helps you orient yourself for your journey; the route details for the educational trails and the “Barborská cesta” independently describe their respective starting points and destinations.

Discover more destinations: Horná Mičiná, Nemce, Malachov, Riečka, Lučatín, Moštenica, Hronsek, Motyčky.

For the broader travel overview: Okres Banská Bystrica.