Shelter Poľana (source: OOCR Novohrad and Podpoľanie)
They stand in an extremely attractive location that lures thousands of domestic and foreign tourists every year, and they are the result of the work of volunteers.
The Poľana and Javorinka shelters in the Poľana massif near the town of Hriňová, central Slovakia, are open to everyone, writes the website My Novohrad.
"The people of Hriňová, together with young volunteers from abroad, immediately restored two stone chalets on the Javorinka ridge. They named them Poľana and Javorinka," said the Regional Tourism Organisation Novohrad and Podpoľanie, adding that it is possible to stay in both facilities during a trip around the Podpoľanie region.
Poľana is a large extinct volcano in the heart of Slovakia. It is considered to be one of the best preserved in central Europe.
Poľana Shelter (source: OOCR Novohrad and Podpoľanie)
The Poľana shelter has capacity for 12-15 people with their own mat and sleeping bag in the attic. The price for the entire place for the weekend is €10.
A helping hand in the heart of Europe offers for you Slovakia travel guide.
"Before your stay, you need to register for an overnight stay at the Hriňová Tourist Information Office (TIC) and take the key to the chalet during opening hours, as the chalet is locked," said the organisation.
The capacity of the Javorinka shelter is eight people on the bed with their own sleeping bag and mat. The night is free here.
The Poľana tourist shelter, a former dilapidated meadow barn, began to serve tourists in the summer of 2021 after approximately a year of renovation work.
Something to admire
In the Poľana shelter there are benches, a table and a stove where tourists can quickly prepare something to eat. There is a well with drinking water nearby, too.
The slope on Kešovka offers a panoramic view of the Hriňovské Lazy rural area and the wide area of the educational trail leading to the Bystrô waterfall, particularly attractive in the vicinity of the shelter.
The location is on the ascent route to Zadná Poľana, Katruška and Zbojnícky Tanec.
The shepherd's hut turned into an attractive tourist shelter thanks to an eight thousand euro grant, which the Banská Bystrica county provided through its Development Agency and OOCR Novohrad and Podpoľanie.
When Poľana opened, the Javorinka shelter was already serving tourists in the area for several years. It was also originally a shepherd's hut. Tourists can use it for inexpensive accommodation all year round.
Spectacular Slovakia travel guides
A helping hand in the heart of Europe thanks to the Slovakia travel guide with more than 1,000 photos and hundreds of tourist spots.
A detailed travel guide to the Tatras introduces you to the whole region around the Tatra mountains, including attractions on the Polish side.
Lost in Bratislava? It's impossible with our City Guide!
Selected travel articles, podcasts, travellers' needs as well as other guides dedicated to Nitra, Trenčín Region, Trnava Region and Žilina Region.
