Valaská between mining history and nature

Valaská combines evidence of iron smelting, sacred architectural history and underground nature. Between historic industrial facilities, St. Martin’s Church, the Bystrianska Cave and trails through the surrounding area, a diverse picture of the town and its immediate region emerges.

Culture and history

In Piesok on the Bystrianka stream, a forge with four hearths and two double hammers was built in 1789. A well-preserved complex of large factory buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries remains there. These include a cylindrical water tower and a heavy machine hall, both of which have decorative brick façades.

In Valaská stands St. Martin’s Church, originally built as a Gothic church in the second half of the 15th century. It was rebuilt between 1612 and 1615 and again in the 19th century; among other changes, the sacristy, tower and vaults were altered. St. Martin’s Church is registered in the Central List of the Slovak Monuments Fund under number 86/0.

Nature

The guided tour of the Bystrianska Cave is 580 metres long and takes 45 minutes. The cave is known for its remarkable rock formations, the development of its underground spaces and the presence of sinter deposits.

The Bystrianska Cave lies on the northern edge of the cadastral territory of Valaská, immediately below the southern edge of the municipality of Bystrá, between Podbrezová and Mýto pod Ďumbierom. It is an accessible national nature monument site.

Hiking and cycling

Hiking trails to the Horné Lazy observation tower begin in the villages of Valaská, Bystrá and Mýto pod Ďumbierom in the Pohanské region. The observation tower can be reached via an interactive educational trail featuring information about the surrounding nature. Along the trail are wooden sculptures of forest animals, and a large wooden megaphone makes the sounds of the forest audible.

The Zákľuky cycling route via Čierny Balog and Sihla leads through Chvatimech into Valaská. On 8 June 2026, a new cycleway bridge between Brezno and Valaská was also opened to the public. It is part of a cycling route connecting the two municipalities.

Geographical setting

The Chvatimech chairlift is located in the immediate vicinity of Valaská. It is a technical monument and the first chairlift manufactured in Slovakia, dating from the 1950s. The chairlift belongs to the municipality of Valaská, but is located in the cadastral territory of Hronec on private property.

Near Valaská, at the limestone rock Skalka na Závoze, lies the Hutnícky skanzen open-air museum. It commemorates the regionally significant history of mining and iron smelting. The open-air museum includes underground iron ore mines, a Celtic ironworks from the 1st century, a water-powered Renaissance ironworks, a chapel, a smithy, an observation tower and facilities for ore transport.

The Hutnícky skanzen offers an approximately one-hour excursion with an audiovisual presentation about vanishing crafts. This includes a visit to an old iron ore mine and a charcoal maker’s workshop where charcoal is produced.

Accommodation in Valaská

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Other places

Other places: Pohorelá, Predajná, Šumiac, Zavadka Nad Hronom, Michalová

To the higher-level travel overview: Brezno District.