Hostie: Culture and Marked Routes

If you are looking for a hotel in Hostie, you can focus on the features that define the area: historic buildings and marked routes through a clearly described landscape. Hostie is in the Zlaté Moravce District, in the northeastern part of the Žitavská pahorkatina, at the foot of the Tribeč Mountains and in the valley of the Hostiansky Stream. Local history, Hrušov Castle, hiking, and cycling offer different starting points for planning your trip.

Landscape and Nature Around Hostie

The Hostiansky Stream is a regionally significant biocorridor. Its watercourse is unregulated, and its banks are sparsely wooded and close to their natural state. The Rybník–Hrušov area is, in turn, a regionally significant biocenter. It includes permanent grassland grazed by horses or mown, as well as xerothermic habitats around Hrušov Castle. The descriptions emphasize different features: the stream’s watercourse and banks are central to the first, while grassland management and heat-loving habitats are central to the Rybník–Hrušov area.

Local History, Church, and Hrušov Castle

In the center of the village, a monument erected in 1962 commemorates the fallen anti-fascist fighters from Hostie. The Baroque Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was built in 1798 on the site of an older church, first mentioned in 1561. It is in good condition and continues to serve its religious purpose. The tradition of the Brass Music Festival also continues to this day. If you would like to combine your trip with the festival, check the specific event dates.

The ruins of Hrušov Castle lie within the cadastral area of Hostie. The castle was probably built at the end of the 13th century as part of the domain of Matúš Čák. Trails lead to the ruins from Skýcov, from Jedľové Kostoľany via the red hiking trail marking, and from Topoľčianky via the green marking. The route from Topoľčianky is listed as taking about 2¾ hours. You can therefore choose between different starting points; the time estimate applies specifically to the route from Topoľčianky via the green marking.

Hiking and Cycling Routes: Compare Length and Course

The green-marked hiking route 5123 runs from Topoľčianky to Veľký Tribeč. Its total length is 30 km, of which 5.8 km are in Hostie. Another marked hiking route runs for 6.0 km through the cadastral area of Hostie, past the ruins of Hrušov Castle and north of the Rybník stud farm. These figures describe different aspects of the routes: for route 5123, both the total length and the section in Hostie are given, while for the other route, the course through the cadastral area is described. This lets you put the distances in context without treating them as hiking times.

The two blue-marked cycling routes also differ mainly in their described courses. Cycle route 11 follows local roads along the Hostiansky Stream toward Jedľové Kostoľany; 5.8 km of it run through the cadastral area of Hostie. Cycle route 3 runs for 5.5 km through the cadastral area and passes about 500 m from Hrušov Castle. The sections in Hostie are similar in length, but the landmarks mentioned differ: one route follows the stream and heads toward Jedľové Kostoľany, while the other passes the castle. Check the current cycling route markings on site.

The specific differences can help you choose between the hiking routes: route 5123 connects two named places and is 30 km long in total; the other marked route passes the castle ruins within the cadastral area and runs north of the Rybník stud farm. Check the current markings on site here, too. The details about length, course, and starting points give you different criteria for weighing hiking and cycling options as you plan your trip.

Discover More Destinations

Ladice, Beladice, Žikava, Skýcov, Jedľové Kostoľany, Slepčany, Obyce, Martin Nad Žitavou

Back to the regional travel overview: Zlaté Moravce.