Running, hiking, biking

Tag: run

  • Muráň

    Muráň

    I think my man will never forget this run. Not because of the hot weather, not because of castle Muráň, but because of nearly 2 meters high nettle in Martin’s valley on educational trail Voniaca 🙂

    Through meadows near Muránska Lehota

    A yellow-marked trail led us to the mouth of Martin’s valley. The valley is almost completely covered with forests and when we were there unfortunately with nettle. A lot of nettle. A lot…

    The valley is flanked on the sides by high, sometimes almost vertical, rocky slopes and the cliffs of Strelnica and Šarkanica. It is 3.4km long with ascent of 520 metres, the hiking trail leads to a small mountain meadow with a view rock cliff.

    view from Voniaca

    Then we run to Well on muránska planina, to Poludnica and then to Muráň castle.

    Poludnica nature viewpoint is a spectacular rock cliff and the sime time natural reserve that stretches below it. This cliff stands out of the dense forest near the former Marketiná mine. This is the most impressive viewpoint in the NP Muránska planina.

    Poludnica

    The Muráň Castle, one of the highest situated castles of Slovakia, was built as the royal sentry castle on top of the Cigánka cliff at the height of 935 m in the 13th century.

    The castle thrived in time when it was owned by Maria Széchy, famous for her beauty. She was often referred to as the Venus of Muráň. The castle was then luxuriously restored and it became the meeting place of the nobility. Beautiful and bold Mária even defended the Castle against King Leopold I in 1666 but could not resist its occupation in 1670.

    The Castle burnt in 1702 and was renovated only partially.

    The Muráň Castle is now in ruins – only the entrance gate and tower survive. The complex occupies the area of 360×96 m. Its Gothic palace, fragments of walls and several service buildings are traceable.

    Meadows on Muránska planina
    42.57km, 1969m ascent, 7h 29min
  • Tribeč – Black caste – Hrušov castle

    Tribeč – Black caste – Hrušov castle

    The Tribeč mountain range is 50 km (31 mi) in length and about 18 km (11 mi) in width, which places it as the 50th largest series of mountains in Slovakia.

    Since the popular Slovak bestseller book Trhlina and its follow-up film adaptation with the same name (The Rift), Tribeč became associated with conspiracies. Some are calling it the Bermuda Triangle of Slovakia.

    The history of these strange disappearances dates back to the 18th and 19th century, when the first known legend was written.

    But we didn’t go there because of legends, we just like to visit new places.

    Black castle is a ruin from 13th century, in Tribec mountains, 573m above sea level near village Zlatno. In the past the the castle did not guard any important medieval communication and probably was built to defend the gold deposits in the surrounding streams.

    Black castle

    Ruins of the Hrušov Castle are towering on top of the Skalka Mt. at the height of 488 m.

    This royal castle built in the 13th century guarded the trade road passing over the mountain range Tribeč. It was destroyed by the Imperial army in 1708 and is in decay since then. However, its surviving walls induce a romantic atmosphere and provide a nice panoramic view of the Tribeč and Pohronský Inovec Mts.

    Lucka is a ultrarunner by heart and you cannot wish for better companion when you get into any troubles 🙂
    Hrušov castle
    views from Hrušov
    46 km, 1634m ascent, 6h 42min

  • Low Tatras ridge

    Low Tatras ridge

    On 6th august 2022, nice hot and sunny day, we came to Telgárt to start our run through a half of the Low Tatras ridge. We leave our car in Brezno and then take the bus to the start of our journey.

    wild blueberries as a first snack

    First breakpoint on our run was Kráľova hoľa. Kráľova hoľa is situated in the main ridge of the Low Tatras. It is the first, counting from the east, peak reaching over treeline peak in this group and also the highest mountain in the east of these mountains. Treeline sometimes reachinig level 1750 m asl. Upper part is covered by mountain medaows. Since 1960 landmark of the summit is a huge TV relay station with visible from far away transmitter mast. To the station leads a narrow road with a length of 11.5 kilometers. The road is closed to public traffic, with the exception of bicycles. Kralova hola is one of the most visited peak of the Low Tatras. It is known for its excellent panorama.

    Flowers under Kráľova hoľa
    First nice views
    After almost 1000m of ascend

    We are heading then to Andrejcová. Tourist Andrejcova shelter is one of the few places where it is allowed to stay overnight when crossing the Low Tatras. And you can get a real craft beer there!

    Andrejcová refuge

    The weather became hot, and there is only a few places where you can fill you water flask, so we were overheated for half of our run, but we enjoy it nonetheless.

    the views are really nice

    Our journey through the mountains ends at Certovica, thanks God, they have Radler 😀 then we needed to run down back to the car, we got lucky and stop a car maybe halfway 🙂

    56.75km, 11h47m elapsed time, 10h 38min moving time, 2676m ascent

  • Poľana

    Poľana

    I have a lot of running dreams and run across Poľana mountains was one of them. My friends allow to make this dream real few days after my birthday on 9.10.2021. It was breathtaking, beautiful, full of emotions and smiles.

    waterfall Bystré

    On the southern slopes of Poľana, approximately 8 km north of Hriňová, there is the Bystré Waterfall national natural monument. Its impressive height of 23 m and the amount of water make it one of the highest and at the same time the most powerful Slovak waterfalls

    The Poľana protected landscape area is included in the UNESCO list. Its area is 20 360 ha. The Poľana mountain range is our highest volcanic mountain range and its peak of the same name reaches 1458 meters. There are only two recreational facilities in the entire area: the Poľana Mountain Hotel and the Pod Hrbom Cottage.

    when you find people with the same passion, everything is possible
    Sometimes after a long run, you need to treat yourself well
    52.1 km, 1918m ascent, 7h 56min
  • Krížna Krížom Krážom 2018

    Krížna Krížom Krážom 2018

    This was one of the most beautiful races I ever have done. And the hardest.

    Start was at 11:00, so it was already quite hot (25 degrees C), first refreshment station was at 14th kilometer, after a lot of ascend (almost all of it). I was sweating like never before and i must to hike a lot. But then I reached the ridge of Krížna and there were breathtaking views… Suddenly all the effort was worth it.

    Úplaz
    Krížna

    I really enjoyed the views, usually I didn’t take photos during the race, but this time I cannot resist. Surprisingly the hardest part of this run was the downhill. It was really steep, muddy and slippery, so I needed to slowing down (ouch my thighs…) and carefully choose my next steps.

    Krížna mountain
    Summary: 26.5km, 1980m ascend, 3:30min moving time. 4th place.

  • Nová Baňa – Vojšín – Andesite sea of rocks and back

    Nová Baňa – Vojšín – Andesite sea of rocks and back

    Another weekend at grandma’s. I was lucky, because the weather was pretty nice, around 15 degrees and partly cloudy. I chose to go for a run to a small village Malá Lehota, because there is a natural monument Andesite sea of rocks (it was formatted from magma which was quickly cooled, because temperatures in the Quaternary was around -60 degrees Celsius).  In my way there I made a quick stop on Vojšín (third highest mountain of  Pohronský Inovec),  there are nice views.

    And the most important thing is that i met 1 stag, 4 deers, 1 rabbit, 3 horses and ZERO people  I really love running in these not so frequently visited places in Slovakia.

    Near Sedlová skala
    Typical working horse used to pull wood from forest.
    Sea of rocks
    Above Malá Lehota
    Mountains of Pohronský Inovec
    28.77km, 1139m ascent, 3h 31min
  • Nová Baňa – Veľký Inovec -Sedlová skala

    Nová Baňa – Veľký Inovec -Sedlová skala

    I planned a run to Pohronský Inovec during my weekend at grandma’s, but there was a few surprises this time… so…

    Originally my plan was either Baňa -> Inovec and back (around 20 km) or a little longer lap (24km). I left the decision open, to choose path on Inovec according to my feelings. The height profile promised first 10km of continual ascend and then descend. I decided to pack a whole set of clothes (only upper body – which proved like a really good idea) and 1 litre of water and one snack bar (yes like a hero -only one). I also planned to run for a first time i my new and shiny  Salomon Speedcross 4 (which wasn’t a good idea…)

    I got up early in the morning, had a breakfast, checked my stuff and got going. I was a little worried about finding the way to Inovec (I never went this way before). But the marking was pretty new and visible (and every time you need to choose a way the right way was uphill :). Temperature around -2 degrees (celsius) and the earth was frozen (I was lucky because otherwise there will be mud). In some places there was ice on road, but it was quite runnable. The snow started around 500 meters around the sea level, but it wasn’t so deep. Run from Baňa to Inovec took me 1:20 (I think it is a good time considering 600 ascend). I made a quick pause to change my clothes. The views was a little ruined with a mist, but I was sunny day, so that was enough for me:)

    Slovak symbol on the top of Veľký Inovec  (heighest hill in Pohronský Inovec mountains)

    I had plenty of time left so I decided to go further instead of turn around a go home. Next plan was took a blue marks to Sedlo Kuchyňa and green marks from there to Nová Baňa. Next 5 km was pure descend, nice easy run, but I started to feel discomfort in my pretty new shoes (really good idea -long run in new shoes, it ended with 2 blisters). The blue mark was older and not so visible and I neded to look for the right way twice. Somewhere near Sedlo Kuchyňa I had a brilliant idea – what about to go through educational walkway instead of green mark? (I already was there so I thought I know the way – and there are 2 nice view poitns).

    Sedlová skala
    misty view from Sedlová Skala.

    I already felt my legs, but I wasn’t really tired, I ate a snack a happily jogged down the hill. The mark was barely visible, sometimes I need to search for it, but so far, so good… Until I came to a place where there were 3 possible ways and the mark was nowhere to find. I tried first -nothing, second – nothing, so I went for the last. (I didn’t really remember this place…)

    So I ran, mark nowhere, but it leaded down the hill and in good direction so I wasn’t really worried. Suddenly the way turns in OPPOSITE direction – not so OK, a looked back and there was like 4-5 km uphill. So I continued down (and said to myself , while it is going down it needs to end in that valley I am heading to). After a while I heard a stream -YES- in that valley where I am heading is a river, so the only think I need to do is following this stream… The last bonus was ankle deep mud – melted by the sun:)

    Friday evening
    Sunday morning

    Last 6 km was on the road and I find my way home.

    31,38km 1071m ascend, 3:25 moving time(3:45 total time – 20 min searching for paths)

  • Suchý vrch – Mútne

    Suchý vrch – Mútne

    Weather forecast wasn’t ideal. But I was determined to go for a run nonetheless. So it was a nice surprise to get up to a sunny day. The air was chilly and in some places there was a snow on the ground. The sun was shinning through my whole run, so my joy of it cannot by ruined even by the muddy terrain.

    Somewhere in that clouds there is Skalka.
    Mud covered by snow – “ideal” terrain to run on
    In the middle of Slovakian mountains you can find…..EMU! 
    13,5km 1:33 active, 594m ascend

  • Nová baňa- Breznica castle-Priesil

    Nová baňa- Breznica castle-Priesil

    Nová Baňa… Someone may think, that when I spent practically my entire childhood here I would know every corner.. But I only know a small part of it (mostly around my grandma’s house). I really started to discover neighborhood after I started running. 

    This time I chase hill Priesil. My original destination was castle situated on hill Hrádok above village Tekovká Breznica (of course didn’t find it). There are only ruins left from  Breznica castle, which was built in 13th century. It was several times burned-out by Turks and at the end of 18th century it lost importance, deteriorated more and more. Rains and frosts destroyed walls. And then in more peaceful times people took it apart to built their houses. It is not known when the castle disappear completely. Big blocks from towers were used to build a church. The last standing memories are around 1 meter high, disintegrating remains of one tower.

    Ascend to Hrádok

    When I got going (around 8 o’clock in the morning), the waether wasn’t quite enjoyable – drizzle and gloomily looking clouds. This can be the reason why I run into a herd of 20 does and one deer (they ran away that moment I tried to take photo).

    The ascend on Hrádok is quite demanding, I need to walk few times. The path is barely visible, but the signs are new and nicely visible. There is a viewpoint (only 200m from path)

    view on Tekovská Breznica
    view on oposite site

    As I climbed to Priesil, there snow was deeper and deeper. Terrain was quite technical, lot of boulders and smaller rocks a the path was barely used. I entertain myself for a while with distinguishing animal tracks (fox, deer, stag,  badger and of course wild boar). The snow was deep, climb difficult and I started to think about changing my plan (first plan was lap,  with around 8 km in this snow ahead). I decided to go back from Priesil on the same path.

    Closely to Priesil the snow was knee deep and as I stand under last climb, I almost gave up. But thanks to my stubbornness, I climb up (need to use my hands, pulse 200, sweaty…)

    on my way back down
    23.5 km, 850 m ascend, 2:55 active time

  • Skalka – Kremnica mountains

    Skalka – Kremnica mountains

    Our Slovak autumn is really beautiful with colorful trees, there is relatively warm outside and ground is covered with swooshing leaves. So the weekend is ideal time for longer trail run. And when you can make a stop for a coffee, what can be better?

    I left around 8 o’clock to catch morning fogs, but at the time I arrived at the top of the hill, the fog was already disappearing. But the sun sun was promising a nice day.
    26 km, around 1000 m ascend, 4 hours including coffee break and some photo breaks.
    Well-earned reward, craft beer Tokaj-IPA.. Yeah I’m a big craft beer lover