Kľak in the Vtáčnik Mountains: Nature, Educational Trail and Hotels

Kľak lies in the Vtáčnik Mountains on a plateau between the valleys of the Kľak and Kláštorský streams. The Vtáčnik State Nature Reserve has existed in Kľak since 1966 and covers 193.97 ha. This brings together a clearly defined mountain landscape, protected nature and numerous historical points of reference in and around the village.

Nature and Landscape

The protected natural monument of Ostrovica lies in the vicinity of Kľak. Ostrovica consists of three distinctive rock towers that rise above the surrounding area with vertical walls approximately 30 to 40 m high. The approximate elevation is just as much a part of the appearance of this rock formation as its distinctive shape. Ostrovica is also featured on the local educational trail, which explains its formation.

Culture and History

The Roman Catholic Church in Kľak stands in the village; it is a single-nave building in the late Baroque style dating from 1753. The church is dedicated to Saint Teresa of Ávila. Several memorial sites also preserve the history of the village. In Kľak stands a monument created by J. Hučko in 1959 to citizens and partisans tortured by fascists. Another monument stands above the mass grave of those murdered.

Each year, the inhabitants of Kľak commemorate the tragic events with a wreath-laying ceremony at the SNP monument erected in 1963. The memorial room in Kľak contains materials commemorating the burning of the village in 1945. Thus, sacred architectural history, local remembrance and engagement with the events of the 20th century exist side by side at various locations within Kľak.

Educational Trail

The Kľakovský Educational Trail is 6.3 km long; the stated walking time is 1.5 hours. The educational trail was opened in 2015 and presents the history of the Slovak National Uprising in the area around Kľak, the events of Bloody Sunday on 21 January 1945, the history of the forest railway and the formation of the Ostrovica rock formation. You can walk the Kľakovský Educational Trail in either direction. It is accessible year-round, easy to complete and begins in the centre of Kľak.

Routes

Several described routes lead through the surrounding landscape from Kľak. One route leads from Kľak through Partizánska dolina, via Ivanov salaš and Škurátka to Vtáčnik. Another route connects Kľak via Ivanov salaš and Škurátka with the waterfall on Pokutský potok. There is also a route from Kľak via Škurátka, Vtáčnik, Homôlka and Gronštolne to Prochot.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Kľak includes sanitary facilities, a kitchen and a seating area with a television. The accommodation in Kľak comprises five rooms and 14 beds.

Other Places

You can find more local pages under Rudno Nad Hronom, Horné Hámre, Veľké Pole, Tekovská Breznica, Brehy, Voznica, Župkov and Ostrý Grúň.

For the higher-level travel overview: Scharnowitz.