Kopernica: Forests, Trails and Historic Traces

Kopernica combines the landscape of the Kremnické vrchy with marked trails, a cycling circuit classified as SPORT, and remarkable historical traces. The village is located in the western group of this mountain range, in a narrow, long valley of the Kopernický potok. At the same time, Kopernica is part of the Kremnické vrchy Protected Landscape Area.

Landscape Between Forest Trails and a Viewpoint

To this day, the forests above Kopernica are crisscrossed by a dense network of roads and paths. This structure arose as a result of intensive mining activity. Anyone interested in a hike or a cycling tour will therefore find a landscape whose present-day paths also point to its history of use. Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries grow in the surrounding forests. It is also not unusual to encounter deer and roe deer there.

South of Kopernica lies Horná Klapa, a rocky outcrop that serves as a natural viewpoint. This site complements the forested surroundings with a clearly named landscape feature. Two marked hiking trails are also available for orientation during a tour: the locally marked Kopernica–Lutila–Dolná Klapa–Jazierko Slobodné route connects several named stops. By contrast, the marked Kopernica–Slaská–Jazierko Slobodné route leads via Slaská to the same destination, Jazierko Slobodné. The routes therefore differ mainly in their named intermediate locations.

Cycling for 49 Kilometres

For cycling, the Pohronsko–kremnický circuit is a separate option. It is 49 km long, classified as SPORT, and suitable for road bikes, trekking bikes and mountain bikes. The circuit runs from Lúčky via Kopernica to Lutila. Above Kopernica, it also follows another climb and offers a view of the surrounding landscape there. The route thus combines the passage through Kopernica with an explicitly named climb and a landscape view.

Church and Preserved Local History

The oldest historic building in Kopernica is the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Martin the Bishop. The building dates from the 13th century and is Gothic. Inside stands the main altar of Saint Martin, dating from 1743 and designed in the Baroque style. This architectural heritage is complemented by several typical German houses with passageways, which have been preserved in Kopernica to this day. The church, altar and houses with passageways reflect different historical layers of the village, without Kopernica having to be reduced to a single monument.

Connection with Kremnica

Bus route 222 connects Kremnica with Kopernica and serves several stops in Kopernica. In understanding the village, this connection is just as much part of the picture as the hiking trails, cycling route and historic buildings. You can access additional local pages for comparison via Bzenica, Kosorín, Nevoľné, Bartošova Lehôtka, Jastrabá, Ihráč, Stará Kremnička and Kremnické Bane.

For the wider travel overview: Žiar Nad Hronom.