Buchlov (Vtáčnik)

Buchlov is a prominent rocky peak, 1,040 m high, in the Vtáčnik mountains of central Slovakia. It should not be confused with the castle hill of the same name in the Czech Republic. The mountain rises in the highest part of the range, Vysoký Vtáčnik, in its south-western section, on a side ridge above the villages of Čereňany and Horná Ves, about 11 km south of the town of Nováky. The summit lies in the Trenčín Region, in the Prievidza District, on the border of the Čereňany and Oslany cadastres. The nearest settlements are Horná Ves and Radobica to the west (about 6 km), Kľak to the south-east and Bystričany to the north.

Buchlov lies on a spur that branches off the main Vtáčnik ridge at Rúbaný vrch (1,097 m) and runs north-west. At Buchlov the spur splits into two ridges: the northern one ends at Veľká skala (820 m), the western one descends via Sladná skala (913 m), Žarnov (840 m) and Rakytská skala towards the Upper Nitra basin and ends at the Čertova pec hillock. The summit area is a narrow crest elongated from south-east to north-west with fairly steep slopes. The north-eastern slopes fall to the valley of the Buchlovský potok, the Lubenský potok rises on the south-western side; this whole part of the range drains to the Nitra.

Getting there / routes

The yellow-marked trail KST 8401a runs along the Buchlov ridge just below the summit, from the village of Oslany via Žarnov and Sladná skala to Rúbaný vrch on the main Vtáčnik ridge. From the other side, Rúbaný vrch can be reached from the village of Ostrý Grúň, where the route meets the Ponitrie ridge trail (Ponitrianska magistrála). A blue trail via the Zadná lúka junction connects the route with Radobica (through the Radobická dolina) and with the Bystričianska dolina.

The Buchlov nature trail (Náučný chodník Buchlov) also crosses the mountain – from the Bystričianska dolina to the summit and on along the ridge via Sladná skala to Žarnov, with information panels on the local nature.

The view from the top

The forest on the summit ridge is patchy and the crags give a very good view. Thanks to its position on a side ridge, the view of the main Vtáčnik ridge is especially interesting. In good weather, according to Slovak sources, you can see the Lesser Fatra, the Strážov Mountains, Považský Inovec, Tribeč and Pohronský Inovec.

Nature and history

The Vtáčnik is a volcanic range and Buchlov is built of andesite. For about 500 m north-west of the summit a belt of weathered rock outcrops runs along the ridge – walls, towers, needles and groups of smaller andesite crags formed by the break-up of ancient lava tongues. At their foot, present-day weathering has produced scree and “stone seas”. The whole massif is covered by mixed, mostly broadleaf forest, and interesting warmth-loving plant communities grow on the southern slopes.

Buchlov lies in the Ponitrie Protected Landscape Area, and the summit area and south-western slopes down to about 800 m are within the Buchlov nature reserve, which reaches south-east to the crags of Žarnov. Picturesque rock formations, interesting flora and unusual views make Buchlov, Sladná skala and Žarnov popular with hikers.

Safety, season and rules

Buchlov can be climbed from spring to autumn and, with little snow, in winter too. The summit crags are steep, so take care with children and in wet weather, when the andesite and scree become slippery. In the Buchlov nature reserve stay on marked paths, do not pick plants and do not climb the rocks off the path. Mountain Rescue Service HZS: 18 300 (+421 18 300), general emergency number 112.

Interesting facts

• The crags of Buchlov are remnants of ancient lava flows of the Vtáčnik volcano.
• A cross stands on the summit, and a nature trail with information panels crosses the mountain.

Photos: Doronenko, CC BY-SA 3.0; Mutichou, CC BY-SA 4.0; Tomáš Merta, CC BY-SA 4.0; Tomáš Merta, CC BY-SA 4.0; Tomáš Merta, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons.