Smolník Hiking Guide: Discover Old Shafts, Tunnels, and Hidden Forest Trails

We spent a weekend in Smolník, a quiet former mining village deep in eastern Slovakia, and from the moment we arrived, we knew we had to explore beyond the main road. The village holds a kind of stillness that invites curiosity, the kind that makes you wonder what stories lie just beyond the tree line. Smolník is known for its mining past, so naturally, we packed our boots and set out to hike the old trails and see where the shafts and tunnels would lead us. We had no map, just a general direction and a stubborn determination to find that spot for ourselves.

Smolník sits in the Gelnica district, surrounded by thick forests and low-slung mountains. The easiest route in comes via car from Košice, around 90 minutes away, tracing roads that climb and twist through untouched Slovak countryside.

How to get to Smolnik

Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to get to Smolník in eastern Slovakia, whether you’re traveling by public transport or car.

By Car

• From Košice. Drive about 120 km northwest through Prešov Region, taking roughly 2 hours and 25 minutes. Fuel costs run around €18–€26.
• From Bratislava. Take the D1 motorway across the country through Žilina toward Košice, then turn toward Smolník. Expect at least 4‑5 hours on the road, depending on traffic and stops.

By Public Transport: Bus + Train Options

• From Košice to Smolník. Bus via Humenné. Frequent services run every ~4 hours. The total journey takes about 3 hours and 56 minutes, and the ticket costs around €26–34. Catch a bus (operator: SAD Humenne) to Humenné (≈ 2 hours). From Humenné, take onward Bus to Smolník (≈ 2 hours). Alternatively, take the train from Košice Predmestie to Humenne and continue by Bus or train from there — the journey takes around 4 hours and 30 minutes, costing €30–40.
• From Bratislava to Smolník. Train + Bus. Ride a regional or intercity train to Poprad or Humenné, then transfer to a regional Bus to Smolník. Total travel time over 6 hours, depending on connections.

If you value flexibility, consider driving, which halves travel time from Košice. For eco- or budget-conscious travelers, bus via Humenné offers a reasonably direct route with moderate cost. Regional train connections take longer, but they keep you comfortable.

Our Waddle

Smolník’s trails don’t follow official markings. Instead, they follow instinct and history, old paths carved by miners heading to work, or maintenance crews checking ventilation tunnels.

We started our waddle right in the heart of Smolník, waddling past quiet houses and out toward the forest where the mining trails begin. The route toward the old shafts is surprisingly well-marked, with informative panels scattered along the way that explain the village’s mining history, techniques, and the lives of the workers who once labored here. As we followed the path, we came across several shaft endings, some fenced off, others open and echoing with the chill of the earth below. Each one had a different story, and stopping to read the signs or take in the silence around them added a rhythm to our walk.

A Glimpse into History

Smolník once stood at the heart of the Habsburg Empire’s mining ambitions. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the area produced copper, silver, and other minerals, transported by narrow-gauge rail toward larger cities. Mining shaped every aspect of life, the architecture, the economy, and the rhythm of the day.

By the 1960s, the mines closed. Too dangerous, too expensive, too outdated. Workers moved on. What’s left is a snapshot — frozen infrastructure, paths worn into the forest, tunnels that still breathe damp air from deep underground.

Hiking through Smolník isn’t just a walk. It’s an encounter with forgotten industry. Every step connects you to hands that dug, built, and endured.

Our waddle led us deeper into the dense forest, where tall trees closed in above us and the trail began to climb steadily uphill. The air smelled like pine and damp moss, and the only sounds were the crunch of leaves underfoot and the occasional rustle from the undergrowth. As we waddled our way up, the trail turned into something out of a forest fairytale, wild strawberries peeked out from the grass, blackberries curled around low branches, and raspberries glowed red against the green. It felt less like a hike and more like a slow-motion treasure hunt through nature. Every few steps brought a new handful of sweetness, and by the time we reached the top of the hill, we were grinning like we’d just walked into paradise.

Then we finally reached the top of the hill, where a narrow clearing opened up just enough to give us a glimpse over the valley below. The view was peaceful and wide, forested hills rolling into the distance, the village barely visible through the trees. It would’ve been even more impressive if the trees hadn’t blocked most of it, but it still felt like a quiet reward after the climb.

On our way back down, the trail looped past several more mining shaft endings. Some were sealed with stone or rusted metal, while others were left open, like dark, mysterious doorways into the past. Each one stood like a forgotten chapter, waiting to be noticed on the way back to town.

Some parts of the hike felt surprisingly smooth and peaceful, especially through the forest and berry-lined sections, but the way down tested us a bit more. Certain stretches were steep enough that chains had been installed along the rock faces, and we were grateful for every single one. You really had to hold on tight and watch your footing, especially with loose stones and damp ground underfoot. It wasn’t extreme, but it did take some focus and a bit of legwork. At a few points, we stopped not just to catch our breath but to figure out the safest next step. It added a bit of challenge to what had started as a relaxed forest wander, but that mix made it all the more memorable.

We enjoyed the hike, especially because we were staying right in Smolník, which made it easy to take our time and not rush through the experience. Having the trailhead just a short walk from our accommodation meant we could start early, stop wherever we felt like it, and not worry about driving or catching a bus afterward. It’s one of those hikes that pairs perfectly with a slow weekend, no pressure, just nature, history, and a bit of adventure all wrapped into one. If you’re planning to stay in Smolník, this trail is a must. It gives you a real feel for the landscape and the village’s mining past, and it’s a great way to fill your day without having to go far.

Pack your bag, put on your waddling shoes, and enjoy Smolnik!

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