Smizany: Nature Trails and Local Culture

Smizany combines hiking trails and nature in Slovak Paradise with the town’s historical and cultural attractions. Part of the cadastral area of Smižany lies within the national park. Together with the recreational areas of Košiarny briežok and Čingov–Hradisko, this makes Smižany the eastern gateway to Slovak Paradise. When planning your stay, you can choose from a range of activities: marked trails, an educational trail or a visit to local cultural sites.

Hiking and Nature in Slovak Paradise

The section of the Hornád River Gorge that begins at the Čingov entrance lies within the national park’s third protection zone. Marked trails lead through the gorge to Tomašovský výhľad, Letanovský mlyn, Ihrík and as far as Hrdlo Hornádu. These destinations give you a range of options for planning; the trails mentioned are not intended as a single circular route.

The Smižianska Maša–Čingov educational trail starts and ends in Smižany, Maša. The loop is five kilometres long and takes approximately two hours. Its nine stops cover local geology, botany and archaeology, the history of Čingov, changes in the forest, nesting sites and riparian vegetation. The route therefore combines a manageable distance with a range of nature and history topics.

Nearby, a there-and-back route also runs from Smižianska Maša to the Sovia skala viewpoint and back. It is 5.9 kilometres long, with a walking time of about one hour and 15 minutes. Compared with the educational trail, this route is longer, but a shorter walking time is given. Conditions may change seasonally. Another option is the easy, 18-kilometre CY04 cycling route, which runs via Čingov, Košiarny briežok, Spišská Nová Ves and Smižany, and returns to Čingov. The surface and signage may change; check the route status before setting out.

Church, Museum and Regional Culture

The Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Povýšenia svätého Kríža) is a national cultural monument. It dates from the mid-13th century and received Gothic architectural features in the 15th century. These dates indicate two distinct phases in its building history, rather than a single construction period.

The Rodný dom kpt. Jána Nálepku displays the original furnishings, as well as letters and documents from Nálepka’s student, teaching and military years. His activities in the anti-fascist resistance during the Second World War are also documented there. The exhibition is open on weekdays by prior appointment only. Arrange your visit at least one day in advance and check the arrangements before you go.

A permanent ethnographic exhibition in Smižany focuses on the folk culture of central and lower Spiš from the late 19th to the early 20th century. Textiles and clothing, and how they were made, are at its heart. This gives the exhibition a different focus from the documents and furnishings in the Rodný dom: here, everyday culture and craftsmanship take centre stage.

Folklore and Events

Traditional events in Smižany include the Smižianske folklórne slávnosti. The programme for the 33rd edition in 2026 included performances by children’s and adult folklore groups, creative workshops, a craft market and an exhibition. This information refers to that edition and does not indicate what a future programme will include.

Another tradition is “fašengari”: every year, the Smižančanka folklore group keeps this tradition alive, walking through the village while singing and carrying a roasting spit and a wooden goat. If you would like to experience the tradition locally, check the date before your trip. When deciding what to focus on during your stay, you can choose between hiking, the church’s history and a variety of ethnographic and folklore topics.

Discover more destinations: Krompachy, Teplička, Rudnany, Spišské Vlachy, Mlynky, Spisske Tomasovce, Odorín, Matejovce Nad Hornádom

Return to the broader travel overview: Okres Spišská Nová Ves.