Okres Banská Bystrica: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

The Banskobystrický Geopark covers the Okres Banská Bystrica district. Since 2016, it has been a national geopark of the Slovak Republic and has been included in the Slovak Geopark Network. It comprises a total of 292 sites; there are currently 43 small protected areas within its territory.

Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Okres Banská Bystrica will plan their trip around this district.

Hiking and landscape

Route D runs from Donovaly via Šachtička to Špania Dolina. It offers views of the Krížna massif and parts of the ridge of the Veľká Fatra.

The Jelenecká–Špania Dolina forestry educational trail is 12.5 km long and takes approximately 5.5 hours. It has five stations: the J. D. Matejovie forestry educational trail, the Jelenská forest lodge, the bunker beneath Jelenská Rock, forestry-related topics, and a disused section of a water pipeline. The J. Matejovie forestry educational trail is 9.5 km long and has 14 information panels covering forestry, technical, and historical topics.

Staré Hory is a hub for several hiking trails. The surrounding area offers opportunities for summer and winter tours on marked hiking trails. Staré Hory is also home to Majerova skala, a protected natural formation established to protect a distinctive rock formation with protected and endangered plant and animal species.

The Jelenec climbing area is an extensive limestone rock area with around 200 routes for advanced climbers, beginners, and children.

Harmanecká jaskyňa is one of Slovakia’s national natural monuments and is open to visitors. The ascent takes approximately 40 minutes; educational trail panels are located along the ascent route.

A regional bus service operates from Šachtička to Špania Dolina.

Culture and history

In Špania Dolina, a unique ensemble of miners’ houses built from wood and stone forms a folk architecture conservation area. The early Gothic Kostol Premenenia Pána church dates from the 13th century and has a high tower with Romanesque foundations. Špania Dolina is also known for its local tradition of bobbin lace-making.

The wooden articulated evangelical church in Hronsek dates from 1726.

In Staré Hory, a neo-Gothic Calvary chapel dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary stands at a well-known pilgrimage site.

Winter and mountains

Some sections of the Špaňodolinský banský vodovod route are used for hiking and cycling, and for ski touring in winter.

The summit of Nová hoľa can be reached by a modern chairlift and is a suitable starting point for ridge hikes in the Veľká Fatra.

The PARK SNOW Donovaly ski resort has 11 km of slopes, 7.4 km of which are equipped with snowmaking. The FUN PARK in Donovaly is the largest facility of its kind in Central Europe dedicated to ski instruction.

Places in the district

Other places in the district: Spania Dolina, Donovaly, Tajov, Kraliky, Malachov, Banská Bystrica, Staré Hory, Slovenská Ľupča, Brusno, Lučatín, Dolná Mičiná, Dolný Harmanec, Harmanec, Hiadeľ, Horná Mičiná, Horné Pršany, Medzibrod, Môlča, Moštenica, Nemce, Podkonice, Poniky, Priechod, Riečka, Turecká, Vlkanová, Hronsek, Povrazník, Motyčky, Badín.

For the higher-level travel overview: Neusohl.