Preschau: High Tatras, hiking trails and culture

The covered colonnade at the Bardejov spa resort contains eight different mineral springs with healing properties. The spa grounds also have hiking trails and include an open-air museum of folk architecture. Mineral springs, trails and folk architecture therefore offer different reasons to visit.

Preschau lies in northeastern Slovakia, stretching from west to east and bordering Poland to the north and Ukraine to the east. The region offers options for different kinds of trips, from hikes and mountain landscapes to museums, castles and historic sites.

Mountain landscapes and cross-border routes

The High Tatras are part of the Preschau region and are a popular destination for hikers. Poloniny National Park also offers a specific hiking option: the Veľká Ravka–Kremenec–Nová Sedlica route is a cross-border route in the national park. Another cross-border route there is Wetlina–Riaba skala–Runina, established in 2013. The two names help distinguish the routes, while their cross-border character connects them.

Poloniny is the only area in Slovakia with a free-living population of European bison. This distinctive feature adds a unique natural attraction alongside the routes and the High Tatras, without limiting a stay to just one kind of outdoor activity.

Spa resorts, museums and history

The Ľubovňa Open-Air Museum contains a wooden Greek Catholic church dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel and built in 1833. The building offers a specific insight into folk architecture and has a clearly established historical date. Ľubovňa Castle is a separate attraction: visitors can explore its exhibitions, visit the Ľubomírsky family palace and climb the tower.

The Hanušovce nad Topľou Archaeopark features five dwellings from five periods of prehistory and the early Middle Ages. Its archaeological festivals include craft activities with ovens for ceramics, glass, bread and bronze. In Medzilaborce, the Andy Warhol Museum of Modern Art offers a different cultural focus. It was officially founded in 1991 by the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic.

The Dubník mines are considered a unique site worldwide for the oldest opal mines. A special seasonal rule applies to the regular opal mine tour from October 1 to March 31: to protect hibernating bats, the tour does not pass through their hibernation sites. Seasonal conditions may change; check the latest information before visiting.

Trails and planning your visit

Walking times to Spišský hrad Castle vary depending on the starting point: it is about a ten-minute walk from the car park below the castle and about an hour from Spišské Podhradie. These are approximate times; check local conditions before setting out.

Allow about 90 minutes to visit the Solivar Museum grounds; each admission is limited to a maximum of 45 visitors. Ski Drienica has 5 km of groomed cross-country ski trails. If you plan to use them during your trip, check in advance whether they are currently open.

A seasonal bike bus program for the Preschau region was planned for 2026, with service to up to eight destinations on 17 routes. For specific travel dates, it is advisable to check operating days and routes in advance.

Discover more destinations: High Tatras, Vranov nad Topľou District, Snina District, Levoča District, Stará Ľubovňa, Stropkov District, Sabinov District, Svidník District, Humenné District, Medzilaborce District, Bardejov, Kežmarok District, Prešov, Poprad District.

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