Podbranč is defined by the contrast between very early settlement and medieval border history. Starý hrad is located in Podbranč, right beside the medieval ruins of Branč Castle. A visit to the castle is also easy to plan practically: you can reach a car park below the site by car; from there, it is about a 100-metre walk. The walk from Podbranč to the castle takes approximately five minutes.

Castles and a long history of settlement

Starý hrad is one of the oldest hillforts in the Záhorie region. A prehistoric settlement at Starý hrad was inhabited more than 5,000 years ago. Branč Castle was built much later: it was constructed in the second half of the 13th century and formed part of a network of border castles intended to protect routes from Moravia to the Danube Lowland. Two clearly distinct historical periods therefore stand side by side here: early settlement at Starý hrad and the medieval border role of Branč Castle.

The Starý hrad–Branč educational trail takes about 40 minutes and is classified as an easy route. It starts at Branč Castle and leads towards the cemetery and Starý hrad. For a longer hike in the Podbranč area, the stated distance is about 7 kilometres, with approximately 2 to 2.5 hours of walking time, excluding breaks.

Hiking and trails

The Chodník Viktora Beniaka leads from Senica via Kunovská priehrada to Podbranč, through Podbranč–Majer and Podbranč–Dolná Dolina, and onwards to Branč Castle. The November tradition on this trail has been in place since 1999. The different time estimates are useful for planning: the educational trail is a short option, while the described hike in the surrounding area requires considerably more walking time. The area around Podbranč is also considered suitable for cycling.

Landscape and nature

The Brančské bradlá area near Podbranč is characterised by pronounced relief shaped by erosion. Its distinctive elevations and rocky outcrops set it apart from the rest of the Myjava Hills. In good weather, the view from Podbranč extends across the Little Carpathians, the Záhorie Lowland, the Myjava Hills and the Chvojnica Valley.

The Myjava is designated a natural monument. At the same time, the larger southern section of the Rieka Myjava natural monument below Podbranč is part of the Horný tok Myjavy European protected area in the Natura 2000 network. These protected landscape features add another perspective on the surroundings to the views and geological character of the area.

Local culture and slivovitz

The original Pagáč mill has been preserved in Podbranč. There is also a collection of historic agricultural machinery belonging to Ing. Dušan Praženka. In the settlement of Varsíkovci, there is a home distillery producing slivovitz: tastings are available, and bottles are offered for sale. Check in advance whether tastings and sales are currently available if you plan to include both in your visit.

Discover more destinations: Smolinské, Šaštín-Stráže, Sekule, Osuské, Šajdíkove Humence, Moravský Svätý Ján, Lakšárska Nová Ves, Hradište Pod Vrátnom

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