Malcov: Walking Trails, Nature and Culture

Malcov combines summer walks, seasonal cross-country skiing opportunities and local culture. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay here, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on during your trip: Would you like to spend time outdoors, explore landscape features or include cultural themes? Churches, folklore and local specialities also shape the character of the place. These different themes give you specific points of reference for assessing Malcov as a destination that suits your interests.

Walks and seasonal activities

There are two routes for summer walks in Malcov: one runs along the Veľký rybný potok, while a shorter one follows the Večný potok. This lets you choose between a route along the Veľký rybný potok and the shorter option along the Večný potok. The landscape includes large boulders, flat sandstone surfaces and deep pools in places.

Winter activities are also subject to a clear condition: when there is enough snow, Malcov offers a wide selection of cross-country ski trails. If you would like to plan your stay around cross-country skiing, bear this snow requirement in mind when planning your trip. Summer walks and cross-country skiing are therefore different seasonal options; the right choice depends on when you travel and which activity you want to focus on.

Landscape between streams and mountain ranges

The cadastral area of Malcov extends into the Ľubovnianska vrchovina in the northeast. Part of the Čergov mountain range lies in the south, while the central part is occupied by the Ondavská vrchovina. These designations describe different areas of the cadastral territory. The local landscape also includes a hornbeam forest on Stoličná hora, as well as birch groves on Veľká hora and Humbark. Those interested in nature and landscapes will find both named mountain regions and specific woodland features here, each distinct from the others.

Chapel, church and local culture

The Chapel of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God (Kaplnka Narodenia Presvätej Bohorodičky) stands on Hurka Hill. An indulgence festival is held at the chapel every year in September. This lets you plan around the September tradition without relying on a specific date.

The Church of the Meeting of the Lord (Chrám Stretnutia Pána) was originally built as a Gothic church in the first half of the 14th century. Part of its original perimeter masonry and the tower have been preserved. The tower has a Gothic window with stone tracery in the jamb. The building’s history and these surviving details offer a specific insight into Malcov’s older architecture.

Folklore is also part of local cultural life. The Malcovčanky singing group preserves cultural traditions and folk songs in the Šariš dialect for future generations. It performs at folklore festivals in Malcov, the surrounding area and abroad. The Javorina folklore group mainly performs dances and songs based on folk-song motifs, and has performed at a folklore festival in Malcov. Another local cultural tradition is the June Midsummer custom, which involved gathering medicinal plants and other herbs. Tied into small bundles, they were laid out around the church to be blessed. Gathering, tying and blessing were the connected parts of this custom.

Local cuisine and getting around

Malcov’s culinary specialities include Mačadlo with mushrooms. Baked kiški are a local speciality from the traditional butchering cuisine. The two names represent different aspects of local cuisine and complement the nature and culture themes with a culinary one.

For general orientation, a first-class road runs through Malcov towards Bardejov – Stará Ľubovňa – Poprad. Then compare the specific details of the individual offers with your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Regetovka, Fričkovce, Bardejov, Stebnícka Huta, Bardejovské Kúpele, Smilno, Zborov, Bartošovce.

For the broader travel overview: Bardejov.