Vrchteplá – Landscapes, Cycling Routes and Commemorative Culture

Vrchteplá combines protected landscapes, paths through the surroundings of the Manínska Gorge and a distinctive commemorative culture. The village lies in the Strážovské vrchy Protected Landscape Area, in the immediate vicinity of the Manínska Gorge National Nature Reserve and amid the Súľovské skaly. This creates an unusual combination of nature experiences, hiking, cycling and Slovak history for your travel planning.

Landscape and educational trail

The Manínska Gorge educational trail is a 15.8-kilometre, self-guided circular hiking trail with twelve stations. The walking time is five to six hours, and the trail is accessible year-round. The educational trail also includes the section tiesňava pod Vrchteplou. This makes it possible to explore the gorge not only as a landscape area but also through the stations of the educational trail.

For a shorter route or one suitable for other uses, the first section in the direction of the gorge below Vrchteplá is relevant. It runs along a state road, is equipped with information boards and can be used by bicycle or with a pram. The specific route therefore differs significantly from the complete circular trail: here, the focus is on a passable section with information, while the entire educational trail is a longer hike with twelve stations.

Cycling routes with different route profiles

Vrchteplá is connected to several described cycling routes. An MTB route leads from Prečín via Bodiná, Vrchteplá, Kostolec, Plevník-Drienové and Lávka to Mikšová. There it connects to the Vážska cyklomagistrála; in Prečín, it also connects to the Rajecká cyklomagistrála.

The Považský hrad–Manínska Tiesňava cycling route also leads to Vrchteplá. From the signpost in the village, it continues along the blue-marked cycling route. Another route runs along the Hoľazne ridge, precisely on the boundary between Vrchteplá and Plevník-Drienové, to Havrania skala. From there, the view extends to Veľký and Malý Manín, the Javorníky, the Mikšová Reservoir, as well as Bytča and the surrounding area.

The connection from Vrchteplá to Súľov also has a clearly described character: it leads over asphalt and gravel to the saddle below Havrania skala and then descends through the Čierny potok area to the state road to Súľov-Hradná. In suitable snow conditions, there is also a cross-country skiing connection from Považská Teplá via Vrchteplá to Súľov.

Memorial sites and local traditions

On Hôrka hill above the village centre stands the monument to those who fell in the Slovak National Uprising. The partisans who fell in the nearby area were buried there; the monument’s present form dates from 1978. Since 1977, astronomers have gathered around the monument to observe the Perseid meteor shower.

The former primary school houses the Pamätná izba SNP. Since 1979, visitors have been able to learn more there about the events of the Slovak National Uprising. The former primary school building also continues to serve as a chapel. Thus, a memorial room and a still-used religious building stand side by side at the same location.

The annual calendar includes several fixed dates. Every year on 29 August, Vrchteplá hosts celebrations of the Slovak National Uprising. On 30 April, a wreath-laying ceremony takes place at the SNP monument to mark the liberation of Vrchteplá; the popular Maypole-raising ceremony is also held in Vrchteplá on the same day. The Jilemnického 25-ka tourist hiking march is also held in Vrchteplá in April.

Other places

Stupné, Sádočné, Pružina, Považská Bystrica, Ďurďové, Kostolec, Brvnište and Domaniža

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