Malinová: Gold Mining, Hiking Trails and Folk Architecture

Malinová is a foothill village set in a deforested hilly landscape. Numerous alluvial fans shape the terrain; the forests consist of fir-beech stands, locally complemented by pines and spruces. The village’s history includes evidence of gold mining and memories of partisan resistance. When planning your trip, you can choose from nature trails as well as a range of historical themes.

Landscape and Trails

The natural surroundings of Malinová offer good conditions for hiking and mushroom picking. The Pravnianska radiála cycling route also passes through the village. If you want to explore on foot, you can choose between the nature trail to Roboty and the route to the partisan bunker.

The nature trail is 2.5 kilometres long. It starts in the village centre at the bus stop, passes through the village and the forest, and ends at the edge of extensive meadows at the foot of the Strážovské vrchy. Large orchards once stood there. The forest section is varied, not difficult, and suitable for children too.

The marked route to the partisan bunker starts at the bus stop in the village. From there, a tourist sign initially points the way, followed by wooden direction arrows. The route is 6.65 kilometres long, has an elevation gain of 414 metres, and is suitable for children and less demanding hikers. It is also suitable for cycling. From the partisan bunker, visitors can continue along the route to the summit of Magura, at an altitude of 1,141 metres.

The difference between the routes is clear: the nature trail is shorter, while the bunker route has an additional 414 metres of elevation gain and leads to a different destination. The length, elevation and destination give you concrete points of reference for comparing the two options as you plan.

Traces of Gold Mining

Roboty, also known as Kamenné moria, are a lasting testament to historic gold mining in Malinová. Gold mines had existed in the village as early as the beginning of the 17th century. In 1648, approximately 700 g of gold dust was extracted. The named Roboty and the historical records passed down to us thus point to different aspects of the area’s mining history.

Partisan Bunker and Remembrance

The partisan bunker near Malinová is a reconstructed representation of a Second World War bunker. The original structure was built by partisans of the Ernest Thälmann unit in 1944. This makes it possible to distinguish clearly between the reconstructed representation and the historic bunker.

After the partisan bunker’s second restoration in 2018, an information board was installed there. It briefly explains partisan resistance and the history of Malinová. The Municipality of Malinová and the local organisation of the Slovak Union of Anti-Fascist Fighters regularly organise commemorative marches to the jointly restored bunker.

Folk Architecture and Local Heritage

The folk architecture typical of Malinová includes houses, agricultural outbuildings, mills, mining structures, bell towers, roadside shrines and bridges. This range offers an overview of the different forms of construction that contribute to the area’s architectural character.

The Mlynský kameň is a surviving relic of a former mill. The mill ground flour for the entire village. Another historical detail can be found on the altar in the Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows: it features a folk-style Pietà dating from the time when the chapel was built. The mill and the chapel thus point to two different facets of the village’s history: the former provision of flour for the village and a religious work of art from the chapel’s construction period.

Discover more nearby destinations: Prievidza, Nitrica, Oslany, Sebedražie, Temeš, Pravenec, Zemianske Kostoľany, Lehota Pod Vtáčnikom.

Return to the main travel overview: Prievidza.