Holiday apartment in Veľké Uherce – Nature, Trails and History

Veľké Uherce combines nature observation, marked trails, motorsport and historical traces to create a diverse local landscape. Between the reservoir, protected areas and cultural monuments are specific destinations with very different focal points.

Nature

The Veľké Uherce Reservoir is an important spawning area for the common toad (Bufo bufo). Swimming was possible in the reservoir. The Ponitrie Protected Landscape Area forms a broad natural setting, covering two thirds of the cadastral territory of Veľké Uherce. The Dobrolínske skaly Nature Reserve is also located within the cadastral territory. Protected plant species as well as forest, forest-steppe, steppe and rocky-steppe habitats occur there.

The area’s special natural features also include Dobrolínska Cave, which is 27 metres long. Oselná skala offers an almost panoramic view over a large part of the Horná Nitra region. A distinctive tree in the village is the protected Veľkouherská Linden. It stands next to the local Roman Catholic church and is more than 200 years old. Its trunk circumference is 450 centimetres, it is 20 metres tall and has a crown width of 14 metres. The Veľkouherská Linden also stands in the local cemetery of Veľké Uherce.

Things to do

Several marked routes provide the local area with a clear connection between water, trails and landscape. Hiking route 5412 connects the Veľké Uherce Reservoir with the municipal office of Veľké Uherce and is 16.5 kilometres long. The green-marked Ponitrím educational trail begins at the municipal office of Veľké Uherce and runs for 17 kilometres. The “Veľkouherský okruh” hiking trail is also marked green and is 18 kilometres long.

Cyclists can use the yellow-marked MTB route 8336. It is 25.6 kilometres long and classified as a moderately difficult sports route. Route 8336 leads to the Veľké Uherce Reservoir, where it crosses the green-marked route 5412. Thus, two differently marked routes meet at this point, while their respective lengths and classifications remain clearly distinct.

Motorsport is also represented by its own destination: MX Vinohrad is a motocross track in Veľké Uherce. The track was completely rebuilt in 2018 and meets the criteria of the FIM regulations.

Culture and History

The Kostol sv. Michala archanjela church was originally built in 1332 in the Gothic style on older foundations. In 1669, it was remodelled in the Renaissance style, and a side chapel was added. Another historical trace is Hradisko. It was a prehistoric hilltop settlement in the cadastral territories of Veľké Uherce and Malé Uherce.

The Kaštieľ Veľké Uherce manor house has a complex architectural history: it was originally built in the 17th century in the Renaissance style and was given Baroque features in the 18th century. Between 1845 and 1860, it was completely remodelled in the Romantic Neo-Gothic style.

The history of the surrounding area also includes Brezová, a now-abandoned German settlement. Overgrown ruins remain of its 40 family houses. A wooden cross and century-old fruit trees mark the site of the former settlement. Its historical dimension therefore extends from the prehistoric hilltop settlement through ecclesiastical building phases to an abandoned settlement with visible remains.

Further Places

Further places in this selection: Ostratice, Chynorany, Turčianky, Malé Uherce, Malé Kršteňany, Kolačno, Krásno, Veľký Klíž.

For the broader travel overview: Partizánske.