{"id":7734,"date":"2026-11-04T11:42:18","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T10:42:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.regionsaris.sk\/?post_type=prirodne-krasy&p=7734"},"modified":"2026-11-04T12:01:28","modified_gmt":"2026-11-04T11:01:28","slug":"simonka","status":"publish","type":"prirodne-krasy","link":"https:\/\/www.regionsaris.sk\/en\/prirodne-krasy\/simonka\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0160imonka"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u0160imonka<\/strong> At an altitude of 1,092 metres, it is the highest hill Slansk\u00e9 hills<\/a> and one of the most significant natural sites in the \u0160ari\u0161 region. It is situated in the north-eastern part of the mountain range, on the border between the districts of Pre\u0161ov and Vranov nad Top\u013eou. Thanks to its preserved primeval forests, volcanic history and views of the surrounding countryside, it is a popular tourist destination in eastern Slovakia all year round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Volcanic origin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Slansk\u00e9 vrchy<\/a> They are a mountain range of volcanic origin, and their relief was shaped by ancient volcanic activity. On \u0160imonka and in the surrounding area, there are andesite rocks, boulder-strewn slopes and scree. The nearby village of Zlat\u00e1 Ba\u0148a lies in a basin within the Zlat\u00e1 Ba\u0148a andesite stratovolcano, which is the most massive in the northern part of the mountain range. Landslides and rugged terrain are also characteristic of the area\u2019s geological structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0160imonka National Nature Reserve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The summit and sub-summit areas of \u0160imonka have been protected as a national nature reserve since 1950. The reserve protects the remnants of primeval forest that have been preserved here in their original form. Climax beech forests predominate, supplemented on boulder-strewn and scree slopes by sycamore and narrow-leaved ash. Rare species of flora include the alpine clematis, a mountain plant whose occurrence in this area is unique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reserve forms part of the Slansk\u00e9 vrchy Site of Community Importance and Special Protection Area, which are part of the European Natura 2000 network. In 2022, it was spatially extended by the Pralesy Slovenska \u2013 \u0160imonka Nature Reserve, which protects further areas of preserved primeval forest. Movement within the protected area is only permitted along marked footpaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The summit and the views<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The summit of \u0160imonka is largely wooded. In an area accessible to walkers, there is a small treeless patch with an andesite outcrop, which serves as a viewing point. The view looks out over the East Slovak Lowlands and the surrounding ridges of the Slansk\u00e9 vrchy. In favourable conditions, the more distant panorama of the High Tatras and Kr\u00e1\u013eov\u00e1 ho\u013ea is also visible. Visibility is usually best on clear autumn and winter days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiking trails<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several signposted hiking trails leading to the summit of \u0160imonka from various directions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n