Holiday apartment in Hnilec: hiking trails, cycling route and local history

Hnilec lies in the Hnilec Valley below the Babiná, Súľová, Veľká Knola and Malá Knola massifs. The location of the village is therefore defined by four specifically named landscape features. Trails, a cycling route, architectural heritage and events complement this concrete picture of the village.

Nature

The SR19 Hrebeňom západnej časti Volovských vrchov hiking trail ends in Hnilec. At the endpoint of the SR19 hiking trail in Hnilec, there is a SAD bus stop, a ŽSR railway stop and a car park. The SR29 Na Volovec hiking trail begins in Hnilec and ends in Henclová. At the starting point of the SR29 hiking trail in Hnilec, there is likewise a SAD bus stop, a ŽSR railway stop and a car park.

The two hiking trails refer to Hnilec in different functions: SR19 leads into the village with its endpoint, while SR29 starts here and runs as far as Henclová. The information about the stops and car park applies in each case to the described starting or endpoint.

Cycling

The Hnilecká cycling route is a 70 km-long route through 11 municipalities and connects the southern part of Slovenský raj National Park with the Ružín Reservoir. A 3 km-long section between Sykavka and Hnilec runs along a paved road. The route passes through Hnilec; there, wooden houses are among the examples of original architecture.

The long-distance connection, the specifically named section and the villagescape thus come together along the cycling route. The stated endpoints range from the southern part of Slovenský raj National Park to the Ružín Reservoir and make the route comprehensible through its length, its 11 municipalities and the Sykavka–Hnilec section.

Culture and history

The Church of Karmelskej Panny Márie in Hnilec serves as a place of worship. The foundation stone of the Church of Karmelskej Panny Márie was laid on 2 May 1894 by the then administrator Štefan Mišík. A memorial plaque commemorating Štefan Mišík is located on the parish building in Hnilec. Another memorial plaque commemorating Štefan Mišík is located on a rock to the left of the main road from Hnilec towards Spišská Nová Ves.

The history of the village goes back to the period after 1290: Hnilec was founded after 1290 through šoltýs colonisation. Copper ores and locally silver-bearing ores were mined in the local mines of Hnilec. Smelters and hammer mills were built on the Hnilec River. The church, memorial plaques, mining and the facilities along the river therefore stand alongside one another as different, clearly named components of the history.

Sports and events

The public multifunctional sports field in Hnilec can be used year-round for football, volleyball and tennis. Football is also associated with an annual event: a football tournament takes place in Hnilec every year in July. The Hnilecký hudobný festival takes place in Hnilec in summer during the school holidays.

Other destinations: Jamnik, Odorín, Krompachy, Matejovce Nad Hornádom, Betlanovce, Spisske Tomasovce, Harichovce, Spisska Nova Ves.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Spišská Nová Ves.