Miklusz the Goblin's Fairytale Trail

Miklusz the Goblin's Fairytale Trail is situated in the village of Miklušovce, approximately 30 kilometres south-west of Prešov. It is a themed educational walking trail that combines nature, storytelling, fun activities and exploring the surrounding woodland. It is primarily designed for families with children, but it can also be an interesting way to liven up a walk for adults looking for a more peaceful outing in the countryside. 

The trail’s main character is Mikluš the goblin, who, according to local legend, lives in the local forest and looks after its beauty. As they walk along the trail, visitors gradually learn about his story, and the individual stops are designed to turn an ordinary walk through the forest into a little adventure.

Route and itinerary of the trip

The footpath begins at the upper end of Miklušovce, by the bus stop, where there is an information board with a map and basic details about the route. From there, it continues out of the village and gradually enters woodland. The route leads through a meadow, a wood and more rugged terrain to a rocky ridge. 

The entire circuit is approximately 5 kilometres long and takes around 1 to 1.5 hours to complete, depending on your pace and the time spent at each viewpoint. The route is classified as easy to moderately challenging, with an elevation gain of approximately 208 metres. The highest point is at an altitude of around 647 metres above sea level. 

The Story of Mikluš the Goblin

The trail’s most distinctive feature is its fairy-tale theme. Visitors do not merely walk through the forest, but gradually uncover the story of Mikluš the elf. He is closely linked to the local natural environment and, according to the fairy tale, is one of the reasons why the local forest thrives.

The story is divided into individual stops, so the children always have a new reason to carry on during the walk. Fairytale elements help to create an atmosphere in which walking is naturally combined with play and imagination. 

Wooden elements, tasks and stations

Along the route there are various fairy-tale elements and wooden sculptures which add to the character of the trail. The walk also includes puzzles and tasks designed to engage the children’s attention and senses. This means that children are not merely passive visitors, but can actively participate in the outing. 

One of the interesting spots along the route is Mikluš the goblin’s little house. There is also a viewpoint on the rocky ridge, where you can stop and take in the surrounding natural scenery. 

A footpath for families with children

The Fairytale Trail is particularly suitable for families who want to combine a day out in the countryside with an adventure. Its great advantage is that, during the walk – which lasts around an hour to an hour and a half – children alternate between hiking and discovering the story, riddles and fairy-tale elements.

Although the footpath is also suitable for children, it is not an entirely flat walking route. Some sections are narrower, more rugged and lead through woodland and rocky terrain. It is therefore advisable to wear sturdy footwear and to accompany children throughout the entire route. According to current information, pushchairs and bicycles are not suitable for this route. 

Nature and atmosphere

The area around Miklušovce is characterised by forests, meadows and a diverse natural environment. The trail itself makes the most of the natural forest setting, and its aim is not only to bring a fairy-tale story to life, but also to give visitors a closer appreciation of the surrounding countryside.

It is precisely this combination of nature and themed elements that makes the trail an unconventional destination for a family day out. Rather than a traditional walking route, it offers an experience in which the landscape becomes part of the story and the individual stops naturally encourage visitors to carry on.

Source: OOCR RŠ
Source of photographs: OOCR RŠ