The nature trail from Vernár toward the Low Tatras is about 13 kilometers long, takes approximately five hours and has an elevation difference of 1,168 meters. This gives anyone planning a longer hike during their stay a specific route option.
Nature trails and landscapes around Vernár
The Vernár–Kráľova Hoľa nature trail is self-guided, linear and can be walked in either direction. It can be used in summer and winter. Ten information boards along the trail cover natural and historical topics from the region. So, as well as the physical activity, the information along the route is a focus of this trail.
Species-rich mountain meadows stretch around striking rocky cliffs in the Vernárska tiesňava gorge. The Kopanecké meadows, in the cadastral area of Vernár, are also distinguished by their specific plant diversity: up to 54 species of higher plants grow there in half a square meter. The meadows are maintained once a year using traditional hand mowing and hand raking. Vernársky kras, in turn, features karst formations such as springs and caves. The boundary between Slovak Paradise National Park and Low Tatras National Park also runs through the cadastral area of Vernár.
Nearby is Blajzloch, a small reservoir with an island that can be reached by a small bridge. Blajzloch is accessible by car or bicycle via a paved road. The surrounding area thus brings together nature trails, mountain meadows and a small body of water as distinct nature-related attractions.
Local history and living traditions
The Greek Catholic Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in Vernár is a Neoclassical building. It was built in 1824 and restored in 1899. The Memorial House is a former school building dating from 1930 that served as an insurgent headquarters for the Slovak National Uprising during the Second World War.
The Tesnina memorial site also connects the locality with its history: it is a natural formation at the entrance to Vernár from the direction of Poprad and was the scene of fighting during the Second World War. The Partizánsky bunker educational site consists of a restored bunker, a surviving fortification remnant from the Second World War and two information boards. These cover the construction of partisan bunkers and the course of the Slovak National Uprising in Vernár and the surrounding area.
The Vernár Folklore Group presents original songs, dances and customs from Vernár at various events in Slovakia and abroad. The Horehronský viachlasný spev, performed by the Vernár Folklore Ensemble, has been included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2017. Architecture, memorial sites and folklore thus offer different ways to explore the history and culture of the locality.
More activities and practical information
For mountain experiences on tricycles, a lift takes riders to the top of a 300-meter descent with a gentle slope. People under 15 can ride with an adult. Vernár–Studničky ski resort has easy and intermediate ski slopes at elevations of 800 to 1,000 meters. The area is about 500 meters from Vernár and has free parking, a ski school, ski equipment rental, basic ski servicing, storage and a buffet.
Another opportunity to enjoy the views is the swing on the hill above Hotel Studničky, which overlooks Kráľova hoľa. Visitors are advised to park their car at the hotel before walking to the viewpoint; the recommended walk from there takes about 30 to 40 minutes.
The Ranč pod Ostrou skalou agritourism farm, which offers accommodation and meals, is located in the southern cadastral area of Vernár. Check whether it is currently operating before booking. This allows you to combine your accommodation search with the nature and cultural attractions that matter to you.
Discover more destinations: Hôrka, Batizovce, Spišská Teplica, Hozelec, Stola, Liptovská Teplicka, Poprad, Gerlachov.
Go to the main travel overview: Poprad District.
