Holiday apartment in Horné Srnie: Nature and history along the Vlára

Horné Srnie lies on the Slovak side of the White Carpathians at the entrance to the Wlara Pass in the middle Váh region. Its location provides direct access to a landscape where protected nature, the Vlára River and historic connections between Moravia and Slovakia stand side by side. There is also a noteworthy church, a forest education trail, cycle paths and a seasonal winter offering.

Nature

The PP Rajkovec protected area is a 0.94-hectare forest meadow above Horné Srnie near the Rajkovec settlement. Several orchid species occur in the protected area, including Gymnadenia conopsea and Orchis pallens. Rare animal species include the slow worm (Anguis fragilis), the Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) and the edible dormouse (Glis glis).

Part of the Horné Srnie landscape area belongs to the White Carpathians Protected Landscape Area with the second level of protection. The Vlára River, which flows through Horné Srnie, meanders through the Vlára Valley near Horné Srnie. The Vlára is a Natura 2000 site of European importance with the second level of protection. Valuable species of fish, birds and hymenopterans occur along the Vlára’s eroding banks; during the season, the river is used for fishing.

Culture

The Church of Saint John of Nepomuk was built in 1789. The present church preserves the tower of the original Baroque church building; its side chapel contains a Rococo altar from the second half of the 18th century. The furnishings also include a historicist bell from 1864 by F. V. Fischer.

History

The history of transport and the region is also connected with Horné Srnie. In 1888, the first railway connection between Moravia and Slovakia was opened through the valley of Horné Srnie. Via Regni, the King’s Road, connects both sides of the White Carpathians. In earlier times, estate carriages travelled here from Trenčín to Brumov and back.

Experiences

The Antonstál forest education trail can be reached from Horné Srnie by bus to the state border and then on foot via red- and yellow-marked hiking trails. The walking route is 8.5 km long, has an elevation gain of 520 m and takes 3.5 hours. This makes it one of the clearly defined activities whose length, ascent and time required are already established.

In winter, a 900 m-long ski lift operates in the Rajkovec district. For cycling, a 10 km section of the BEVLAVA cycle route leads from Horné Srnie to Nemšová. A mineral water spring with a designated picnic area is located 3 km north of Horné Srnie near the BEVLAVA cycle route.

The BEVLAVA project envisages a cross-border, continuous connection suitable for visitors and free of motorised traffic, in which Horné Srnie participates.

Other destinations

If you would like to continue planning your trip beyond Horné Srnie, you can also discover Veľké Bierovce, Mníchova Lehota, Soblahov, Trenčianska Teplá, Selec, Omšenie, Veľká Hradná and Chocholná-Velčice.

To the overview of the wider travel region: Trenčín District.