Banská Bystrica District: Hotels and Accommodation

Banská Bystrica District is home to PARK SNOW Donovaly ski resort, a clearly defined winter destination: it has 11 km of slopes, 7.4 km of which are equipped with snowmaking. Donovaly is also home to FUN PARK, the largest facility of its kind in Central Europe, dedicated to ski instruction.

Winter and Mountain Trails

The summit of Nová hoľa can be reached by a modern chairlift and is a suitable starting point for ridge hikes in the Veľká Fatra. Some sections of the Špaňodolinský banský vodovod route are used for hiking and cycling, and for ski touring in winter.

You may wish to book a hotel in Banská Bystrica District.

Hiking and Landscape

Route D runs from Donovaly via Šachtička to Špania Dolina and offers views of the Krížna Massif as well as parts of the Veľká Fatra ridge. The Jelenecká–Špania Dolina forest educational trail is 12.5 km long and takes approximately 5.5 hours.

The Jelenecká–Špania Dolina forest educational trail has five stations: the J. D. Matejovie forest educational trail, the Jelenská forest lodge, the bunker beneath Jelenská Rock, forestry-related topics, and a disused section of the water conduit. A regional bus service operates from Šachtička to Špania Dolina.

The J. Matejovie forest educational trail is 9.5 km long and has 14 information panels covering forestry, technical, and historical topics.

Staré Hory is a hub for several tourist hiking trails. The surroundings of Staré Hory offer opportunities for summer and winter tours on marked hiking trails. Majerova skala in Staré Hory is a protected natural formation established to protect a distinctive rock formation with protected and endangered plant and animal species.

The Jelenec climbing area is an extensive limestone rock area with approximately 200 routes for experienced climbers, beginners, and children.

Nature and Conservation

Harmanecká jaskyňa is among Slovakia’s national natural monuments and is open to visitors. The ascent to Harmanecká jaskyňa takes approximately 40 minutes; panels belonging to an educational trail are placed along the ascent route.

The Banskobystrický Geopark covers Banská Bystrica District. Since 2016, it has been a national geopark of the Slovak Republic and has been included in the Slovak geopark network. The Banskobystrický Geopark comprises 292 sites; there are currently 43 small-area protected sites within its territory.

Culture and History

In Špania Dolina, a unique ensemble of miners’ houses built of wood and stone forms a folk architecture heritage reservation. The early Gothic Kostol Premenenia Pána church in Špania Dolina dates from the 13th century and has a tall tower with Romanesque foundations. Špania Dolina is also known for a local tradition of bobbin lace-making.

The wooden articulated evangelical church in Hronsek dates from 1726.

In Staré Hory, a neo-Gothic Calvary chapel dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary stands at a well-known pilgrimage site.

Other places in the district: Povrazník, Riečka, Turecká, Nemce, Podkonice, Poniky, Priechod, Spania Dolina, Tajov, Moštenica, Môlča, Medzibrod, Horné Pršany, Hiadeľ, Harmanec, Dolný Harmanec, Brusno, Lučatín, Staré Hory, Slovenská Ľupča, Banská Bystrica, Malachov, Kraliky, Donovaly

To the higher-level travel overview: Banská Bystrica.