Educational path from Teplý Vrch to Drienčany Karst
The educational trail starts in the area of the Drienok recreation facility in the village of Teplý Vrch, from where it goes to Drienčany through the protected Hickory Forest area. It was artificially created at the end of the 19th century, when North American trees - hickory - were planted here, which successfully acclimatized. Next, we pass by the bay of the Teplý Vrch water reservoir, at the bank of which there is a bird watchtower.
The educational trail can also be started in Drienčany itself, where from stop no. 4 continues as a circuit. It is skilfully made up of 15 stops with information panels that introduce the most characteristic natural features of the karst. The first interesting stop is a small remnant of the former castle above the village. After crossing the meadow and the forest, we gradually come to the more attractive ones. First it is an impressive deep sinkhole in the forest, later another on the rocky edge of the valley. It was created by the collapse of part of the ceiling of the Veľká Drienčanská cave, to the entrance of which the educational trail goes. However, entry to it is prohibited. After a short descent, we reach the valley of the Blh river, which is lined with alder trees and hundreds of ostrich ferns. Here we can find educational panels informing about the fauna and flora of the valley. The next one draws our attention to three strange holes in the rock. These are the entrances to the Little Drienčanská cave, which is one of the most attractive places on the nature trail. Crossing the footbridge, we reach the other side of the river and take a break at a rest area with a table and benches. We are waiting for a short climb up the hill on forest steps, crossing a dirt road and the last educational panel. Ours informs us that we are standing next to occasional karst lakes, which are created by clogging fissures, which keeps rainwater in the karst pits. But we are attracted by the wooden figures from afar. When we come to them, we see that they are part of the sundial. And they are not just any kind, they are fabulous. We are entering the village of Drienčany, the place of work of the famous fairy tale collector Pavel E. Dobšinský. A few tens of meters below, we find a fairytale maze, a shelter for resting, grilling, and the construction of a bowling alley. We end the circular part of the educational trail at the beautiful bell tower and the grave of Pavel Dobšinský, close to the church where he worked for 23 years.
Our tip:
In the memorial parsonage next to the church, there is a Museum of Slovak fairy tales. Book his visit in advance on tel. number +421 918 828 164, ev. parish priest Štefan Gabčan
