Horné Srnie: Nature and History in the Vlára Valley

Horné Srnie lies on the Slovak side of the White Carpathians, at the entrance to the Vlára Pass in the middle Váh region. The Vlára meanders through the valley near Horné Srnie and flows through the village. This offers several options when planning your trip: protected nature, a forestry educational trail, cycling and the village’s architectural history.

The history of transport here goes back a long way, too: in 1888, the first railway connection between Moravia and Slovakia opened through the valley of Horné Srnie. The valley is therefore not just a scenic backdrop, but is also linked to a historic connection between the two regions.

Nature in and around Horné Srnie

Above Horné Srnie, near the settlement of Rajkovec, lies the PP Rajkovec Protected Area. This 0.94-hectare woodland meadow is a small-scale natural area. Several orchid species grow there, including Gymnadenia conopsea and Orchis pallens. Rare animal species in the protected area include the slow worm (Anguis fragilis), the Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) and the edible dormouse (Glis glis).

These are distinct from the wider protected-area designations: part of the landscape around Horné Srnie belongs to the White Carpathians Protected Landscape Area and is subject to the second level of protection. The Vlára, which flows through the village, is also a Natura 2000 site of European importance with the second level of protection. Valuable species of fish, birds and hymenoptera occur along its eroding banks.

Church and local history

The Church of St John of Nepomuk was built in 1789. The present-day church preserves the tower of the original Baroque church building. The side chapel houses a Rococo altar from the second half of the 18th century. The furnishings also include a historicist bell from 1864, made by F. V. Fischer. These dates place the building, altar and bell in a broader historical context.

Hiking, cycling and seasonal activities

The Antonstál forestry educational trail can be reached from Horné Srnie by bus to the state border, followed by a walk on red- and yellow-marked hiking trails. The walking route is 8.5 km long, has an elevation gain of 520 m and takes 3.5 hours. Check trail markings and conditions locally before setting out.

A 10 km section of the BEVLAVA cycle route connects Horné Srnie and Nemšová. Local surface and access conditions may change; check them before riding. Three kilometres north of Horné Srnie, near the cycle route, there is a mineral-water spring with a picnic area. This gives you two different planning reference points: a connection between two places and a specific destination north of the village.

The Vlára is used for fishing during the season. If you plan to fish, check access and the applicable rules in advance. A 900 m ski lift is listed in the village district of Rajkovec for winter. Check whether it will be operating on your travel dates.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Veľká Hradná, Trencin, Zamarovce, Trenčianska Teplá, Dubodiel, Trenčianska Turná, Trencianské Teplice, Mníchova Lehota.

Return to the main travel overview: Okres Trenčín.