Čierny Hron Forest Railway

Slovakia’s last forest railway

The Čierny Hron Railway (Čiernohronská železnica, ČHŽ) is a historic 760 mm narrow-gauge forest railway in the village of Čierny Balog in the Horehronie region. It was built to carry timber out of the valleys of the Čierny Hron: surveys began in 1898, the route was laid out in 1901, and the 10.4 km main line from Hronec to Čierny Balog opened after its inspection on 8 January 1909. The network with its branches later reached almost 132 km and ran into nearly every valley around; First World War prisoners also worked on its construction. The tightest curves had a radius of 60 m and the steepest gradient was 70 ‰.

In its best years the railway carried up to 300,000 cubic metres of timber a year, up to seven steam locomotives ran daily, and local people rode it to work. During the Slovak National Uprising in 1944 its trains carried supplies and ammunition to the partisans. On 31 December 1982 regular forestry traffic on the last 36 km ended – it was the last forest railway in Slovakia. That same year local enthusiasts had it entered on the state list of cultural monuments; restoration with volunteer camps began in 1983, and on 1 May 1992 the first tourist steam train set off for Vydrovo.

What to see

• Three tourist routes from Čierny Balog station: the “green” one to the Vydrovo forestry museum (4 km), the “blue” one to Dobroč (4 km), where the train runs right between the football pitch and the stand, and the “red” one to the Šánske passing loop (5 km).
• Steam locomotives – a 1918 Smoschewer, a 1948 ČKD and a 1985 RESITA – with open coaches from 1898–1938.
• Motor trains hauled by the RÁBA TU 45.001 (1961) and the historic railcar M 21.004 (1939).
• The museum and depot by the station – open for a look before steam departures.

Practical information

All trips start and finish at Čierny Balog station. One route there and back takes about 45 minutes by motor train and 50 minutes by steam, two routes up to 2 hours, all three from 3 to 5 hours. In the 2026 season motor trains ran to Vydrovo daily from 28 February to 15 September, and steam trains to Šánske and Dobroč on Saturdays from April, daily from 27 June to 29 August and on several September weekends. A one-route ticket costs €15, two routes €26, three routes €38; children 3–15 pay half, and the steam supplement is €2. Because of track wear, the Šánske – Hronec – Chvatimech section is not in regular service; it can only be travelled on pedal draisines booked in advance.

The regular 2026 season is now over; in autumn and winter the railway offers themed rides (the next on 31 October 2026) and charter trains for groups of 20 or more. Your ticket is a contribution to restoring a cultural monument. A ride in the open coaches is ideal for families with children.

Nearby

At the end of the “green” route is the Vydrovo forestry open-air museum. Down the Hron valley, visit the Bystrá Cave and royal Ľupča Castle.

Official website: chz.sk

Photos: Manfred Kopka, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Patrik Kunec, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Draceane, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Jan Pešula, CC0, Wikimedia Commons.