Poráč combines a striking limestone landscape with traces of mining and regional culture. The Šarkanova diera river cave, the mine and the Church of Saint Demetrius reveal different sides of the town. When planning your visit, it is worth checking the relevant conditions: the public access to the cave declared in 2008 applies only to its entrance passage; mine structures may be entered only on a designated guided tour.
Limestone landscapes and trails around Poráč
The Poráčská dolina is a 9 km-long limestone gorge formed by the erosion of the Poráčsky jarok stream. The Červené skaly National Nature Reserve lies in the valley. It covers 390 ha and protects rare animal species and calcicolous flora. Access to the reserve is largely restricted to marked hiking trails and cycling and cross-country ski routes. Check the protected-area regulations before you travel.
The Galmus limestone-dolomite area lies between Poráč and Slovinky. In 1982, the Galmuská tisina Nature Reserve was established there to protect the European yew. The SR32 “Na Galmus” hiking route starts at the SAD bus stop and car park in Poráč; the “Šarkanova diera” educational trail also begins in the town.
Šarkanova diera is a 177 m-long river cave formed along fissures in light-colored Triassic limestone. In 2008, its entrance passage in the cadastral area of Poráč was declared freely accessible to the public. This declaration applies to the entrance passage, not to every part of the cave.
Cycling routes and the mining educational trail
The 20 km Galmus cycling route starts and ends in Poráč and includes a more challenging climb. A second route is 54 km long: it passes through Závadka, Oľše and Galmus, also returns to Poráč, and runs through the Spiš landscape, with mountain meadows, open terrain and valleys. The route lengths and climb details give you concrete points of comparison between the two routes.
The Poráč Mining Educational Trail is a circular route with three loops. The first starts and ends at a recreation centre. It passes the Mining Museum of the Tovarišstvo Poráčskeho baníctva near the Štôlňa Pavol adit, then heads towards Poráč.
Mining and visits
The visitor offer at the Poráč mine includes organised tours of the mine structures and use of the mining rail-bike oval. Mine structures may be entered only with a guide appointed by the owner, the Municipality of Poráč. Visits must be arranged in advance; use of the rail-bike oval must be coordinated with the Poráč Municipal Office. Check seasonal operating arrangements before you travel.
The mine is also a distinct part of the town’s history as a heritage site: the Poráč mine and its grounds are designated a national cultural monument comprising nine structures.
Church, folklore and regional tradition
The single-nave Church of Saint Demetrius was built in the Neoclassical style; the year 1775 is inscribed on its entrance portal. It was declared a national cultural monument on 14 May 1998. Inside is a four-tier wooden iconostasis dating from 1905, made by the Budapest workshop Rétay és Benedek.
The “Zosnutie presvätej Bohorodičky” chapel in the parish garden also reflects different construction phases: it was originally built in the Baroque style in the second half of the 18th century, then rebuilt and adapted in the Historicist Neo-Gothic style in 1905–1906. The “Šachtare volajú” folklore festival has been held annually in Poráč since 1993. Sheep farming is also part of regional tradition; sheep’s milk is processed locally into cheese and bryndza.
Winter activities
Poráč Park ski complex has 3.3 km of downhill runs, two drag lifts, a children’s lift and a ski school. The ski area also has 25 km of cross-country ski trails, including 5 km of groomed trails. Winter activities are seasonal; check operating information before you travel.
Discover more destinations: Hnilec, Hrabusice, Krompachy, Harichovce, Spisska Nova Ves, Markušovce, Smizany, Matejovce Nad Hornádom
For the overview of the wider region: Okres Spišská Nová Ves.
