The new HERKULES singletrack for cyclists and pedestrians will bring a smooth connection between Bardejov Spa and the town of Bardejov. These days it is being completed by the Regional Tourism Organization (OOCR) "ŠARIŠ" - Bardejov.
Singletrack with a length of about 1.3 km starts at the gas station at the end of Bardejov and ends at the beginning of the spa, where it connects to the asphalt trail. It has the character of a hiking singletrack, so-called doubletrack, width up to 2.2 metres and the cross slope of the route is 5% due to drainage.
"This hiking trail is a tremendous addition to our region and will expand the possibilities of the tourist infrastructure. It is being implemented as singletrack, which is a method that follows the terrain, adapts to the nature, trees and slope, and did not require cutting down trees," informs the director of OOCR "ŠARIŠ"- Bardejov Radomír Jančošek.
Right at the beginning of this route there is a slight climb on a section of about 100 m with an elevation gain of about 20 m. This is why the new family hiking trail is called HERKULES, so that even the smallest enthusiasts can measure their strength. The name is symbolically connected with the eponymous spring in Bardejovské Kúpele, which is the strongest mineralized. The trail follows the beautiful nature and is safe, leads through the forest and is far enough away from the main road No. 77. The trail has an elevation of only a few tens of metres and is also suitable for families with small children.
Singletrack is a temporary solution, as the city of Bardejov has been preparing for a long time cycle path with a solid surface, lighting and additional infrastructure, but the process is hampered by the settlement of problem plots where the owner is not clear (no inheritance proceedings have taken place). The town of Bardejov and Bardejovské Kúpele a.s. are the founding members of OOCR Šariš Bardejov and care very much about the connection.
"That's why I came in as the director of OOCR with the substitute initiative of building a singletrack. Over the course of 4 months, I personally visited dozens of landowners and obtained approvals from them about the temporary crossing and the creation of a hiking trail. At present, the landscaping is complete and all that remains is to do a fine gritting of the stonework so that mud does not form on the surface when it rains. The total cost will be about EUR 23,000 and the singletrack should be operational in about a week," says R.Jančošek.
With the contribution of OOCR "ŠARIŠ" - Bardejov, the restoration of the tourist circuit in Bardejovské Kúpele was completed a few days ago. Ostrá Hôrka. This hiking trail has a total of 3 circuits, the largest measuring 3.5 km, the middle 1.5 km and the smallest 1 km. It serves cross-country skiers, mountain bikers and hikers and is also suitable for families with children.
[articlepreview:12102]
The length of marked hiking trails around the spa is almost 40 km. In addition to this, there is a network of five built, maintained and interconnected cycle paths, with a total length of more than 8 km.
It consists of three healing singletracks - Lekársky, Napoleon and Čerešenka, the Oxygen Path Mihaľov - Bardejov and the Oxygen Track in Bardejovské Kúpele. Now they will be joined by HERKULES.
Plans in the near future OOCR Šariš Bardejov:
- AQUAVELO quadrilingual cycling map (as a partner of the PL - SK project). It is a 230 km stretch between Bardejovské Kúpele, Krynica, Muzsyna, Szawnica, with tourist points of interest
- In cooperation with the State Forests and KOCR Northeast of Slovakia - restoration of the Bardejovské Kúpele Lake, including restoration of the rest and recreation zone around the lake (wooden elements, resting places, gazebos, maps, baskets, wooden bridge). It should also include a mini wooden park for children by the lake, or a mini rope park around the lake.
- The restoration of hiking signs and trails, wooden hiking gazebos, outdoor hiking maps, the restoration of bicycle paths, hiking trails and the promotion of cultural events are also in the pipeline.
Spa of peace
The Bardejov Spa itself is situated in a forest environment full of oxygen. The whole area is maintained and flows freely into the forest. Bardejov Spa was referred to in some older documents as a 'spa of peace'. There is a pedestrian zone and a forest park in the spa. There is also a summer swimming pool with heated water, tennis courts and an indoor tennis hall, miniature golf, an oxygen track, hiking and cycling trails and the oldest open-air museum in Slovakia [trip:1354;Museum of Folk Architecture - open-air museum]. Among the most visited attractions of the spa is the modern Wellness SPA.
Source and photo: OOCR Šariš - Bardejov
