Podkonice: Holiday Apartment, Nature Trail and Ski Resort

Podkonice lies at the foot of the southern slopes of the Low Tatras and the Starohorské vrchy. From the village center, the Podkonický nature trail leads to Pleše; at the same time, the village combines a remarkable skiing history with ecclesiastical art, folklore and traditional events.

Nature and Trails

The Podkonický nature trail consists of two routes that together are almost five kilometers long. They run between elevations of 550 and 976 meters and are considered family-friendly. The longer section is 2.6 kilometers long and includes seven stations. Its route from the center of Podkonice to Pleše gives the trail a clearly recognizable direction within the landscape at the foot of the mountains.

Podkonice can also be experienced as a destination on two wheels: The Donovaly–Podkonice cycling route ends at a cycling signpost next to the church in Podkonice.

Culture

The Church of St. Martin in Podkonice was consecrated on November 14, 1819. Inside is a Gothic Madonna and Child dating from around the early 16th century, classified as a national cultural monument. The church thus preserves both a specific construction date and a significant sacred work of art.

A special connection to the region’s musical and literary history is offered by the Pavol Tonkovič Memorial Room. It is a branch of the Literary and Music Museum in Banská Bystrica and has been accessible since 1998 in the municipal office building in Podkonice. In addition, the Vysoká folklore group in Podkonice presents authentic forms of musical and dance folklore.

Winter

The Podkonice–Pleše ski resort is located 2.5 kilometers from Podkonice at an elevation of 800 to 987 meters on the southeastern side of the Low Tatras. Skiing there takes place on natural snow; easy and intermediate slopes with a total length of 5,172 meters are available. The resort also includes a nine-kilometer cross-country skiing trail.

Facilities available on site include a buffet, a restaurant, free parking and sanitary facilities. Chata Pleše also offers accommodation. The history of skiing is documented at the Slovak Ski Museum in Podkonice. It opened on September 1, 2007, is dedicated to 130 years of skiing history and contains 650 exhibits related to skiing as well as 85 ski boots. Anyone wishing to visit the museum should register in advance by telephone.

Traditions

The annual calendar in Podkonice includes several events with a strong local connection. The traditional Fašiangová slávnosť is associated with a Zabíjačka and a parade of the Fašiangovníci through the village. The Tonkovičove slávnosti have been held in Podkonice every two years since 2007. At the end of December, the Christmas concert Podkonické Vianoce takes place in the Church of St. Martin.

A traditional mass for the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius was announced for June 28, 2026, in Kalište. A bus was scheduled to depart from the square in Podkonice at 9:30 a.m.

Other places: Dolný Harmanec, Moštenica, Nemce, Priechod, Badín, Donovaly, Slovenská Ľupča, Horné Pršany.

For the broader travel overview: Banská Bystrica District.