Discover Pohronská Polhora

Pohronská Polhora lies on the southern border of Muránska planina National Park. The village’s history includes a historic cemetery, the Church of St. Michael the Archangel and the rack railway line between Tisovec and Pohronská Polhora. Hiking and cycling routes offer another focus for planning your trip.

Local history and historic buildings

The Old Cemetery was established in 1794 and has preserved its original appearance and the design of its tombstones. The ensemble of cast-iron cemetery crosses is particularly noteworthy. In 1999, the cemetery was added to the Central Register of Monuments of the Slovak Republic.

The Church of St. Michael the Archangel was completed in 1808; its tower followed in 1835. The Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk was probably built in 1797. Another building, the bell tower of Pohronská Polhora, dates from 1843. The municipal administration building also houses a historical exhibition about the life and traditions of local residents.

The rack railway line between Tisovec and Pohronská Polhora is also part of the village’s history. It was built in 1896, primarily to serve the needs of the developing iron industry, and was declared a cultural monument in 2008. The historical highlights therefore include both religious buildings and cemetery culture, as well as the history of a railway line.

Hiking trails and cycling routes

From Pohronská Polhora, a yellow-marked hiking trail leads to Chlipavica in the Veporské vrchy; a blue-marked trail leads to Fabova hoľa. Check the trail markers locally before setting out. The route and walking time for the Zbojnícky chodník educational trail are specified in more detail: it starts at Zbojnícky dvor, passes Makovo koryto and goes under the Čertov most railway viaduct, ending at the entrance to Čertova dolina.

The Zbojnícky chodník is 4.7 km long and has an elevation gain of 268 m. Allow about three hours for the walk; sturdy footwear is required. Check trail conditions before setting out, especially after heavy rain or in winter. The route described ends at the entrance to the valley; no return route to the starting point is specified.

A designated cycling route runs from Krátke through Pohronská Polhora and Zbojská to Burda saddle, then continues to Pätina and on to Závadka nad Hronom. An official six-kilometre section opened in 2016: it runs from Tisovec towards Brezno, bypasses Zbojská saddle and ends on the road to Pohronská Polhora in the Svetlá valley. For both routes, the named places and endpoints provide orientation; check current route conditions and signage before setting off.

At Zbojská saddle

Zbojská saddle is a starting point for hiking trails into Muránska planina National Park and the Veporské vrchy; a tourist information centre is also located there. It can be reached by car, bus, train, bicycle and on foot. The Zbojnícka strela excursion bus currently runs between Zbojnícky dvor at Zbojská saddle and Gazdovský dvor at Chlipavice saddle. Check the timetable and booking options before travelling.

Rozhľadňa Zbojská lookout tower has a 13-metre-high viewing platform with a bell that visitors can ring. A small Chapel of St. George with a separate entrance is located in the lower part of the tower. If you plan to visit, check the current access conditions in advance.

Regional cuisine and seasonal events

Salaš Zbojská has a restaurant serving traditional dishes and lamb specialities. From spring to autumn, the entertainment programme includes folk music from Horehronie, Gemer or Pohronská Polhora, as well as performances by the children’s folklore ensemble Červené jabĺčko. As restaurant opening, menus and seasonal programmes are subject to change, check the latest information before your visit.

At Zbojnícky dvor, visitors can receive instruction in making Oštiepky and Žinčica, as well as rolling Parenica and pulling cheese strings. Confirm the availability of these activities in advance. At the Zbojská sheepfold, sheep’s milk cheeses for Oštiepky, Brimsen and Žinčica are made using the traditional methods described; check their availability before your trip as well. Zbojnícky dvor hosts annual regional slaughtering championships, where visitors can see and sample traditional slaughter products. Check the event dates before travelling.

There is also a small ski area at Zbojská mountain saddle, with two ski lifts, a groomed ski slope and artificial snowmaking. Confirm current operations before making plans.

Discover more destinations: Vaľkovňa, Nemecká, Telgárt, Cierny Balog, Podbrezová, Brezno, Helpa, Michalová.

Back to the regional travel overview: Okres Brezno.