Kostolec: Bosmany Natural Monument and Hiking Trails

Kostolec combines a striking rocky landscape with signposted hiking and cycling trails, as well as archaeological traces and memorial sites. The PP Bosmany natural monument above Kostolec is particularly distinctive. The surrounding area also offers several ways to explore the landscape of Kostolecká Gorge on foot, by mountain bike or while climbing. If you would like to combine experiences in nature with history on your trip to Slovakia, Kostolec offers various points of interest for doing so.

Rocky landscape around Kostolec

The PP Bosmany natural monument was designated in 1994 and covers an area of 7.335 hectares above Kostolec. It consists of three rock towers and a rock massif behind them, reaching a height of 659 metres. PP Bosmany offers views of Manínska Gorge and Kostolecká Gorge. The focus here is therefore not only on individual rock formations, but also on the relationship between the striking geological formations and the two gorges.

In the vicinity of Kostolec, Kostolecká Gorge is approximately 500 metres long and covers nearly 30 hectares. It has been a nature reserve since 1970. Beyond Kostolecká Gorge lies the municipality of Kostolec, along the red-marked hiking trail. The marked trail to Kostolecká Gorge and onward to Kostolec is marked red, and in some sections green or yellow. The gorge is also used as a climbing area because of its rock overhang.

Hiking and cycling on documented routes

A 16-kilometre hiking route from Považská Teplá to Súľov leads through Kostolecká Gorge, Kostolec and Vrchteplá. In the vicinity of Kostolec, a red-marked hiking trail also runs through the gorge from Považská Teplá to Súľovské skaly, Hričovské Podhradie and Žilina.

Route 2305 is designated as an MTB recreational route. It is marked blue, is classified as an easy MTB recreational route and is 17 kilometres long. Its sections run on asphalt and gravel. Route 2305 passes through Kostolecká Gorge and then continues to Kostolec. It is considered an easy route that can also be completed by families with children.

History, archaeology and remembrance

In addition to its natural attractions, Kostolec has a multifaceted history. The writer Peter Jilemnický worked as a teacher in Kostolec from 1932 to 1936. A memorial plaque and a bust commemorating Peter Jilemnický stand in front of the former school building. The attic of a memorial room in Kostolec also houses a permanent exhibition on his life and work.

Archaeological sites in Kostolec provide evidence of settlement dating from the older Stone Age, around 22,000 BC, and the younger Stone Age, around 2,000 BC. A Late Stone Age dwelling site on the edge of a rock face beside the road to Kostolec yielded pottery, a loom weight, copper spirals, as well as radiolarite and obsidian. The obsidian found in Kostolec originated in the Vihorlat area and points to long-distance contacts maintained by the local population as early as the 3rd millennium BC.

More destinations for your Slovakia research

Other destinations to help with your planning include Ďurďové, Udiča, Vrchteplá, Plevník-Drienové, Papradno, Horna Marikova, Sádočné and Pružina.

For the higher-level travel overview: Okres Považská Bystrica.