Holiday apartment in Košická Belá – Hiking, nature and local traditions

Košická Belá lies in the northern tip of the Košice Basin region. The village is situated in the valley of the Hornád River and on a small plateau above the river. This location connects the settlement with the river valley and the landscape areas of the Slovak Ore Mountains. A locally yellow-marked connecting trail leads from Košická Belá over 3.5 kilometres to Nemcova dolka, where it joins the Legionnaire Trail.

Nature and landscape

The landscape around Košická Belá is characterised by deciduous forests located on the eastern limestone slopes of the Slovak Ore Mountains. Coniferous forests occur there only on insignificant areas. Sivec is a distinctive feature of this limestone landscape. The limestone cliff reaches a height of 781 metres and lies above the Ružín Reservoir. From the summit, there is a view into the deep valley of the Hornád, bringing rock, reservoir and river landscape together in a single vista.

The Natura 2000 site Volovské vrchy is also part of this natural area. It primarily serves to protect birds of prey and owls, as well as the red-breasted flycatcher (Ficedula parva), the collared flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) and other species. Thus, alongside the geological formations and forests, selected bird species are also a focus of this protected area.

Hiking and trails

A circular hike to Folkmarská skala starts and ends in the Košické Hámre district. Košické Hámre belongs to the municipality of Košická Belá. The circular hike takes 4 hours and 15 minutes and is therefore described as a clearly time-defined tour. In addition, the Roztoky educational trail is located in the cadastral area of the municipality of Košická Belá.

The trails incorporate different landscape features: the connection to Nemcova dolka joins the Legionnaire Trail, while the circular hike in Košické Hámre leads to Folkmarská skala. Together with the Roztoky educational trail, these trails form several independent points of reference within the municipality and its surroundings.

Culture and village life

The Pantľička folklore group collects, preserves and presents traditions and songs from Košická Belá. Its traditional culture programmes include “Večarki pri višivaňu”, “Večar na Ondreja”, “Ľetohoruce”, “Stupaňekapusti” and “Kecbabispominaju”. The group also presents wedding customs. The programmes and customs mentioned give the local cultural life specific names and forms.

Another defining landmark is the Church of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist in Košická Belá. It is a modern three-nave building constructed between 1938 and 1941. The church is in good condition and continues to serve its religious purpose.

A holiday apartment in Košická Belá can be combined with the village’s different highlights: the landscape along the Hornád, the trails to Nemcova dolka and Folkmarská skala, and the local traditions.

Places in the wider surrounding area: Štós, Kechnec, Budimír, Medzev, Moldava Nad Bodvou, Zlatá Idka, Nižná Myšľa, Malá Ida

Higher-level region: Košice-Okolie District.