Four new bridges now span the Krpelianska Gorge, their foundations made not of timber but of repurposed railway tracks. (source: Miroslava Kovačková)
Tucked beneath the Kopa massif in Slovakia’s Veľká Fatra mountains lies a trail that nearly vanished. For years, the Krpelianska Gorge educational path lay in quiet decay – its wooden footbridges succumbing to moisture and time. Today, after a decade of deterioration – and a remarkable local effort – it has been brought back to life, writes the regional news website My Turiec.
Four new bridges now span the gorge, their foundations made not of timber but of repurposed railway tracks. “Each one was six metres long and weighed around 300 kilos,” said Peter Kiša, a lifelong member of the local tourist club who led the redesign. “We hauled them into the woods by hand – eight men at a time.”
The heavy lifting was done by a mix of volunteers: local firefighters, village workers, retirees in their seventies and members of the Slovak Tourist Club Dynamo Krpeľany. They also carried timber – meticulously dried and treated for two years – to construct sturdy new railings.
The route itself is a gentle 3.2-kilometre loop, popular with families. It starts near a former mill and a local fishery, where visitors can park and explore. At the trailhead, a simple wooden cabin welcomes hikers, offering benches by a small artificial lake, a children’s play area and even a hand-pumped trough for fresh mountain water.
From there, the path winds past a water reservoir and into the forest. Four educational panels dot the way, and the views – especially from the summit – are striking: Krpeľany village, the reservoir and the nearby peak of Malý Kriváň unfold beneath your feet. A few benches and a fire pit invite a pause.
Cyclists, too, will find a reward here. Paved and marked trails lead from Krpeľany past ponds and canals, connecting to the broader Turiec Cycle Route and nearby towns like Lipovec and Vrútky. Swimming is possible at Bôr pond in summer.
In an age of over-engineered tourist infrastructure, the gorge’s restoration is refreshingly homespun. Built with muscle and ingenuity, it’s a reminder that even modest trails – if cared for – can offer rich rewards.
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