On a trip through Horná Dolná

The bike trip takes us from Bojná to the village of Nová Lehota, better known as Horná Dolná. Within the circuit, we will get to know not only Horná Dolná but also the Valy hillfort and the well-known location Jelenie jamy. We start the journey in the center of Bojná, at the Archaeological Museum of Great Moravia. The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 16:00, and you can park easily nearby.

Ahead of us is a long 11 km climb to the highest point of our cycling circuit, to Jelenie jamy. From the museum, we continue along the green cycle tourist mark to the part called Bojná, polesie. This connects us to the relatively recently marked Cyril and Methodius route. We continue on the asphalt road to the signpost Hradná dolina, where the road changes to a maintained hardened forest road. We pass a large panel with directions to the Valy hillfort. We are pleased by the information that it is 3.6 km directly to the hillfort. The climb is gentle and manageable, the road is maintained year-round, and cars with tourists can also pass here up to the parking lot at the turnoff to the hillfort.

After just under 3 km, we meet the cycling signpost Near Valy hillfort, where we turn left through a ford, and ahead of us is an 800 m climb through demanding forest terrain. We enter the hillfort through the western gate, which was reconstructed in 2018; it was the largest reconstruction of a Slavic gate in Europe. Currently, the western gate is the dominant feature of this hillfort and an attraction for tourists. At the hillfort, we recommend a short stop combined with a tour of the built semi-underground structures in the center of the hillfort and the aforementioned western gate.

Ahead is the most challenging climb of the circuit to Jelenie jamy. We pass by the niche chapel Divine Heart and a tourist signpost. We find ourselves on a hardened forest road, from which, after a few hundred meters, we turn off at the signpost Holokamenská cesta, Brodky. Together with the red cycle tourist mark, we pedal to reach Jelenie jamy. At the signpost, we choose the direction together with the cycle route Ridge of Považský Inovec to Saddle Kostolný vrch.

By descending, we bypass the tourist shelter at the location Miškech zraz, where during the season we can barbecue and sit around a fire. At Saddle Kostolný vrch we meet the blue cycle tourist mark, which we follow all the way to Nová Lehota. Shortly after, we emerge from the forest environment to the local part Nový majer, later Domin's clearing. This place has a magical atmosphere, and you can notice original houses, as well as new or renovated cottages along the road. Locals still engage in animal husbandry here, so you can easily spot sheep or cows in the pastures.

On the way to Nová Lehota, we find the Dastín Spring – a natural spring. The surroundings of the spring are nicely arranged and offer a place to sit. When descending, be careful of the sharp turn to the spring to avoid missing it.  We arrive in Nová Lehota, also known as Horná Dolná. The series props are no longer visible here. You can only see the series houses or the pub, but without the signs. From the village, our journey leads only back to Bojná. We pass almost the opposite way, first along the asphalt road past cottages, then the surface changes to a good forest road. This leads to Hradná dolina, where we started the bike trip. On the way, you can see the Bojnianka creek and marshlands on the right, which are now designated as a protected area.