Hriňová: Waterfall Trails and Culture

Hriňová offers a range of reasons to visit: scenic views, paths to waterfalls, and places of religious and cultural significance. For orientation, it is worth distinguishing between the similarly named Bystrý potok and Bystrô waterfalls. Each has its own educational trail, described differently.

Landscape and Waterfall

The Bystrý potok Waterfall is a national natural monument located within the cadastral area of the city of Hriňová. Its drop is 20 metres high, making it a striking natural feature for anyone who wants to discover Hriňová through its landscape too.

From the panoramic viewpoints in Hriňová, you can see the Hriňovské lazy, as well as the surrounding valleys, fields and mountains. Another landscape-related detail has a historical timeframe: in 2015, a proposal was made to extend the transition zone of the Poľana Biosphere Reserve to include the so-called Hriňovské lazy.

Educational Trails to the Waterfalls

The educational trail to Bystrô Waterfall is 3.5 kilometres long and has nine information panels. This makes it possible to consider the trail’s length together with its stops. The stated distance refers to this trail to Bystrô.

The educational trail from Hriňová to Bystrý potok Waterfall is a different route. It passes through Bystré and Vrátka, following the valley alongside the Bystrý potok to the waterfall, and is suitable for families with children. As trail conditions and suitability can change, it is advisable to check them before setting out. The two trails lead to waterfalls with different names, so their details should not be conflated.

Calvary, Church and Woodcarving

The Calvary in Hriňová comprises fourteen stations. The twelfth station consists of three crosses above the city centre. Wood is also characteristic of local carving: wooden crosses can be found especially near the Stations of the Cross, showcasing the skill of local carvers. They are made predominantly of oak and richly decorated with ornamental, sacred, Old Slavic, plant and figurative motifs.

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul has another date of historical significance: Bishop Dr Andrej Škrábik consecrated it on 8 September 1947, marking its completion. Visitors interested in religious architectural and cultural history can consider this date alongside the stations of the Calvary and the artistically decorated wooden crosses.

Exhibition and Cultural Programme

The exhibition in the Hriňovská drevenica Štefana Nosáľa focuses primarily on Professor Štefan Nosáľ, who was from Hriňová and lived from 1927 to 2017. He was the artistic director of the Lúčnica ensemble. The drevenica opened to the public on 16 August 2019. If you are planning a visit, contact the Hriňová Tourist Information Centre to confirm the arrangements in advance.

The events calendar may also be useful when planning a trip: Hriňová’s annual cultural programme includes Gazdovanie na Hriňovských lazoch in August. Check the dates for the year of your trip if you would like to attend.

Practical Information

The Hriňová Tourist Information Centre sells maps and publications about Hriňová and Podpoľanie. If you would like to use these materials, ask about the current selection. You can then plan your route and choose places to visit based on the topics that interest you most.

The Javorinka tourist shelter is open to everyone around the clock, free of charge. Check these access arrangements again before your trip, so that specific plans remain subject to the conditions in force at the time.

Discover more destinations: Horný Tisovník, Stožok, Vígľaš, Dúbravy, Klokoč, Podkriváň, Kriváň, Latky

View the broader travel guide: Okres Detva.