Kšinná: Churches, Trails and Winter Sports

Kšinná between the Radiša Valley and the Strážov Mountains

Kšinná lies in the southern part of the Strážov Mountains, in the valley of the Radiša stream, at an elevation of 350 metres. When you visit Kšinná, you can explore the town’s churches and art history; in the administrative district of Závada pod Čiernym vrchom, hiking and winter sports take centre stage. Závada is an administrative part of Kšinná. Ski Park Závada pod Čiernym Vrchom has a large and a small ski lift.

Churches and sacred art

The Church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian stands on a hill above Kšinná. It is listed as a cultural monument in the Central Register of Monuments of the Slovak Republic and dates from 1230 to 1250. Inside, there is a layer of wall paintings attributed to the 14th century. The church’s south façade bears a monumental depiction of Saint Christopher with the Christ Child. To visit the interior, contact the municipal office in Kšinná. Confirm the possibility of visiting locally.

Another religious building is the Evangelical church in Kšinná. Dating from 1814, it is a Neoclassical, single-nave church. Single-nave describes a church interior with one main nave. Inside is an 18th-century altarpiece depicting the Resurrection.

Local history and folklore

Early chapters in the town’s history include a Neolithic settlement and an urn field of the Lusatian culture dating from the Late Bronze Age.

The Bukovina folklore group also draws on local traditions: its folklore material comes from Kšinná. Its first programme, in 1971, was the traditional Kšiňanská svadba. For 2026, Bukovina and the municipality of Kšinná announced the 34th edition of the Jánske ohne event. The group also regularly organises a Shrovetide procession through the village.

Hiking and winter sports in Závada

The district of Závada pod Čiernym vrchom is a starting point for hikes in the Nitrické vrchy. To choose a route, you can use the listed destinations as a guide: a green-marked trail leads via Capárka, at 924.1 metres, to Valaská Belá. A blue-marked trail leads to Chata pod Čiernym vrchom.

The two ski lifts in Závada pod Čiernym vrchom are on the north-eastern slope of 722.5-metre-high Plešivec. For winter, Ski Park Závada pod Čiernym Vrchom lists a large and a small ski lift. The smaller lift is suitable for children and beginners. The ski park also has two intermediate runs; the stated run length is 1,010 metres. Check the ski park’s current operating conditions before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Šišov, Bánovce nad Bebravou, Uhrovec, Rybany, Pochabany, Zlatníky, Brezolupy, Pravotice.

Back to the main travel guide: Bánovce Nad Bebravou.