Svrbice: Hiking between the Považský Inovec and the Hill Country

Svrbice lies at the western tip of the Okres Topoľčany district, at the eastern foot of the Považský Inovec. The two landscape areas also differ geologically. As a result, the village combines nature experiences, hiking trails, a cycle route passing through it and a multifaceted local history.

Landscape and wildlife on the Považský Inovec

The Považský Inovec near Svrbice is considered a wooded mountain range with diverse fauna and flora. The local fauna includes foxes, badgers, squirrels, wild boar, roe deer and red deer. Svrbice’s bird list includes owls, kestrels and pheasants. The plants mentioned include beech, oak, hornbeam and birch trees. These details do not describe a single natural monument, but rather the village’s landscape setting: forests, hill country and mountains come together in a geographical transitional area.

Hiking and cycling

Svrbická stopa is an easy, seven-kilometre hike from Havran to Svrbice. In the 2025 edition, one route also led from Havran to Svrbice, while a new circular route began in Svrbice; both routes were approximately seven kilometres long. Svrbická stopa is considered a traditional event in Svrbice. Thus, two different hiking formats are documented: a connection from Havran to Svrbice and a circular route beginning in the village.

The JÁNSKE OHNE event programme also shows that hiking there was linked to local culture. The 2022 programme included an easy hike, children’s games, and a cultural and sports programme. On 25 June 2022, the 37th edition of JÁNSKE OHNE took place at Svrbická Hôrka. The long-standing local traditions mentioned in connection with Jánske ohne also included goulash and refreshments. Those travelling by bicycle instead of on foot can use cycle route 044 – Okolo Považského Inovca, which passes through Svrbice.

Local history between viticulture and old settlements

Svrbice was first mentioned in a document in 1268 under the name Surbich. The settlement of Tešín, mentioned in 1414, later became part of Svrbice; the settlement of Drin, mentioned in 1620, likewise later became part of Svrbice. These three years mark different stages in the village’s development and explain why the history of today’s village extends beyond its present settlement form.

Agriculture and viticulture were also among the historical livelihoods in Svrbice. In 1715, there were vineyards there. This detail is particularly revealing for understanding the village, because it shows Svrbice not only as a landscape location on the edge of the mountains, but also as a historically agricultural community.

Church and further comparison with nearby villages

The Roman Catholic Church of Panny Márie Kráľovnej pokoja stands in Svrbice. The filial church was built in 1956 and consecrated in 1957; it belongs to the parish of Ardanovce in the Radošina Deanery. A specific religious building thus complements the village’s landscape and event-related themes.

For further comparison with nearby villages, Prasice, Šalgovce, Tvrdomestice, Bojná, Kamanová, Podhradie, Radošina and Lužany are available.

For the overarching travel overview: Okres Topoľčany.