A beautiful forestry nature trail can be found in the Vranov district, specifically in the village of Zámutov. The entrance gate can be reached by bus, which will take you to the bus stop "Zámutov, polesie", where there is more space to park your car. From there you have to walk down to the village lane, at the end of which you will find the entrance gate of the Zámutov Forestry Nature Trail.
The footpath was built in 2012, is 7.8 km long and has an elevation of 120 m. Along the way you will find 16 information boardsthat will introduce you to the local nature and also the history of forestry. An interesting feature of this trail is that you can follow it along its entire length or divide it into shorter circuits. Part of the trail (2.6 km) runs along a paved asphalt road designed for people with mobility limitations. It starts at Bilik's hut, where there is also a bus stop. It is up to you whether you follow the route from the entrance gate or from Bilik's hut.
Just outside the entrance gate there is an interactive information and educational board called: The forest is not a garbage dump! It has small rotating boards showing the different rubbish that tourists find in the forest. On the other side they inform about their decomposition time. Let us not forget that what we bring into the forest, we must also take out of it.
It should be noted that the trail markings are quite damaged by the weather, so we recommend that you take a photo of the trail map at the very beginning, which is displayed on the first information board at the entrance gate or at Bilik's hut. There are various diversions in the woods and meadows that could tempt you to change the route, as forestry equipment is also used in the area. And hence there will be no green sign in sight, orientate yourself according to the route in the picture.
Another information board is dedicated to a memorial tree - the Jeffrey Pine, which grows up to 45 m high, its trunk diameter reaches up to 1.5 m. It is mainly found in the western part of North America and its interesting feature is the orange scent after breaking the needles. To the left, a green trail begins on a bridge over a small stream, climbing up a forest road to a meadow where there is a plaque with information about how the forest originates and grows. From the meadow, which turns into a ski slope in winter, there is a nice view of the village Zámutov. After entering the forest, a cave awaits you. It is old wine cellar called "Vihanova dzira"which used to belong to Count Klobuštinský and is now inhabited by bats.
The path continues again to the meadow where there is observation tower with information board Hunting. From the observation tower there is a panoramic view in the south-western direction of the Slanské vrchy and the hills of Menší and Ľubovičný vrch, Svibová, Bučí Laz, Medvedia, Malá Medvedia, Mošník, Dubová, Rokytová and Oblá. Nearby is the top station of the ski lift, from where there are beautiful views of the village.
The route continues through the forest along a narrow path along the ridge to the lookout tower with a northwest view of Dubník, Ošvarská, Šindľová, Praporec, Zámutovské rocks, Malina, Železná and the highest hill of the Slanské hills - Šimonka. Along the forest road you will reach a stop dedicated to charcoal burning and the production of potash. The trail continues through the forest, which will take you to a place where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Zámutov Rocks. Nearby is the forest railway, where a wagon with tree trunks is situated.
The route continues across the Zámutovský brook, where there is a mining plant and an information board Hrušovský jarok - wood handling. From there a paved asphalt road leads, which is suitable for bicycles and roller skates. It is lined with information boards about animals, water, spatial distribution of the forest, natural conditions and trees. The last panel is devoted to the Balnica shooting range, located near Bilik's hut. The Zámutovská kolejka nature trail is also suitable for families with children and offers a lot of useful information. If you are thinking about how to use your free time, do not hesitate and take this educational tour with beautiful places and views.
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