Stolica Mountains

The Stolica Mountains are a mountain range between Zvolen and Košice, stretching across several hundred kilometers with different landscape forms and varied terrain. The highest peaks reach about 1,500 meters, and the region is crossed by numerous hiking trails offering different difficulty levels.

The mountains contain substantial iron ore deposits that shaped mining activities in Central Slovakia over many centuries. This raw material extraction was central to the region's industrial development.

Communities near these mountains hold traditions linked to mining heritage, which appear in local festivals and nature-centered celebrations that reflect the region's connection to the landscape. These customs show how deeply the area's identity is tied to its surroundings.

The mountain range is crisscrossed with marked trails that extend into neighboring national parks and allow for extended hiking tours. Spring through autumn is the best time to visit, when trails are easily accessible and weather conditions are stable.

The northern slopes feed the Sajó River, and Dobšiná ice caverns hide within the limestone formations, displaying rare geological structures. These underground ice caves are a little-known feature that most visitors overlook.