Via ferratas & rock climbing
LET’S CLIMB

Via ferratas – a real dose of adrenaline

Equipped with a helmet, harness and fall absorber, set out to overcome your limits on via ferratas. Via ferratas are secured climbing paths, routes for hikers in more demanding terrain, protected by steel cables, iron steps, ladders or rope bridges. In the Banská Bystrica Region, you can find them at Skalka above Kremnica, and in Nová Baňa there are children’s via ferratas.

Approach a secured climbing route with prudence and responsibility, but do not miss an experience worthy of heroes.

Central Slovakia

offers exceptional climbing opportunities on the popular Via ferrata Skalka (with the most difficult via ferrata route in Slovakia called F-ÚHA – difficulty F) and Via ferrata Komín with the longest rope bridge in Central Europe. Almost in the heart of Central Slovakia, you will discover a via ferrata area in the Driekyňa locality (2 km from Slovenská Ľupča).

Via ferrata Sokolie skaly (Zvolen)

This modern secured climbing area was opened in spring 2025 in the Javorie Mountains. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the town of Zvolen, just below the well-known Pustý hrad.

In the central Hron Valley

mainly younger climbers will enjoy the world of via ferratas and various obstacles in the Children’s Via Ferrata Area at Zvonička in Nová Baňa.

On the border of Gemer and Horehronie

fans of via ferratas can look forward to the trail of the legendary outlaw Jakub Surovec and a section of it equipped with a via ferrata through the Čertova dolina gorge.

In the heart of Gemer

Via ferrata Hrádok – Mikova železná cesta – Via ferrata Hrádok – Mikova železná cesta offers visitors the opportunity to climb Hrádok peak in a new, adventurous yet safe way. The ferrata runs along the rocky massif above Hotel Hrádok and offers unique views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

Tackle via ferratas preferably in pairs – with regard to your own abilities and with respect for the regulations.

Rock climbing – when gravity is put to the test

Rock climbing is among the sports that combine movement, nature and personal challenge. In the Banská Bystrica Region, it offers a unique opportunity to experience the landscape from a completely different perspective – through the eyes of cliff faces, views and the silence of nature.

The region’s diverse relief provides suitable conditions for both beginners and experienced climbers. Steep rock walls, natural towers and rugged massifs create an ideal environment for discovering climbing routes of varying difficulty. In addition to the climbing itself, visitors will also find peaceful forests, clean air and beautiful views of the surrounding landscape.

Rock climbing is also a great way to spend time actively in nature, strengthen both body and mind and experience a sense of freedom on the rocks. Many visitors also enjoy hiking, nature photography or relaxing in a quiet mountain environment alongside climbing.

If you are looking for a combination of adventure, sport and beautiful nature, the region “Beyond the Mountains, Beyond the Valleys” offers plenty of opportunities for unforgettable experiences. Just come, discover the charm of rock faces and let yourself be inspired by the energy of the local landscape.

Selected locations in the Banská Bystrica Region:

Kaľamárka

It is an important climbing area near Detva and at the same time one of the region’s best-known natural monuments. It is a popular place for rock climbers, mountaineers, hikers and everyone looking for adrenaline and beautiful nature. Kaľamárka has an andesite base and a great advantage is that it can be climbed from every side of the compass. In addition to climbing, there is also an archaeological site nearby and a viewpoint offering a view over the Detva Basin.

Jelenec

It is one of the newer climbing areas located near Banská Bystrica. It ranks among the most visited areas in the region, but it is intended mainly for knowledgeable and more experienced climbers. It offers various more difficult routes, different wall inclinations, and cracks and holes of all imaginable sizes. This place is definitely worth visiting especially for those who love adrenaline and are determined to conquer more challenging terrain.

Krpcovo, Harmanec

Krpcovo near Harmanec comprises 224 routes of various grades and 11 sectors. Most routes are of medium and higher difficulty. This climbing area is open to all climbers year-round. There are plenty of overhangs here, so even rain will not discourage rock enthusiasts. Some routes are hidden in the forest, and it is even possible to find a line for a first ascent.

Tajov

The climbing site in Tajov is a popular destination especially for climbers from Banská Bystrica thanks to its excellent accessibility. It is located in a picturesque limestone canyon that offers pleasant shade and a cooling climate even during the hottest summer days. This area offers varied sport climbing on limestone. Shorter and technical routes prevail here, making them ideal for a quick afternoon training session after work. If you are looking for easy access and a peaceful environment in the immediate vicinity of the city, Tajov is the right choice for you.

Králiky

The climbing area Králiky is one of the smaller ones. There is one main wall and several towers around it. The walls can be climbed as early as February if they get enough sunlight. The difficulty of the individual towers ranges from easy warm-up routes to the more demanding ones, with the hardest being grade 9. Here you will find unusually romantic climbing on a little tower that you can climb from all sides, but also hard grade-nine routes in overhangs and on the wall. Since everyone can find something to suit them, it is an ideal place for a short escape from the city, where you can enjoy relaxation, nature and the pure joy of climbing.

Prieboj – Ihráč

The andesite crag Prieboj in the Kremnica Mountains is an ideal choice for climbers looking for peace and a pleasant climate. Here you will find 24 newly secured routes and 3 difficulty variants from 3+ to 8- UIAA. Most routes are 12 metres long, but on the highest crag you can also enjoy four impressive thirty-metre lines. Thanks to the nearby stream and the rocks’ orientation from south to west, it is very pleasant here even on hot summer days. Just 50 metres from the rocks there is also a spring, a fire pit and seating, which makes the area a great place for a full day of relaxation.

Sitno

The iconic landmark and cradle of European hiking, Sitno (1009 m above sea level), belongs to the “big three” best-known andesite areas in Slovakia. This magical place, shrouded in many legends, offers climbing that you will not find anywhere else in the region. The Sitno towers, scattered around the summit, provide airy endurance lines in the embrace of fairytale-like nature.

Unlike limestone, the local andesite is distinctive in its structure, but its main attraction is the wall height reaching up to 50 metres, which also allows for valuable multi-pitch climbing. Thanks to its exposure and altitude, Sitno is a sought-after location not only during the season, but also for winter climbing.

Jasenie – Lomnistá climbing area

If you are looking for an escape from the heat and the crowds, the climbing area below Obrštín peak (1043 m) is a bullseye. It lies deep in the Lomnistá Valley beyond the village of Jasenie, embraced by the quiet forests of the Low Tatras. The rocks lie at an altitude of 630 m above sea level, where the surrounding wild nature and nearby mountain stream will cool you down even in the hot summer.

The site is divided into five sectors with route lengths of up to 20 metres (on average 12–15 m). Thanks to the compactness of the rock, 5 quickdraws are enough for most routes. In addition to rope climbing, you will also find marked bouldering lines here.

Tesná skala

Tesná skala is an impressive limestone area hidden in the heart of the Muránska planina plateau, lying on the border of the Banská Bystrica and Košice regions. It offers climbers three climbing sectors: Lower Part (19 routes), Middle Part (96 routes) and Upper Part (24 routes). If you are looking for quality climbing surrounded by wild nature, you definitely should not miss a visit to this location.