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Mountain Route, Stage 1: Travel Guide Bratislava - Modra Piesok

Your journey begins. The first stage of your mountain bike adventure starts in Bratislava and follows picturesque forested landscape of the Little Carpathian Mountains. 

Start your journey under the iconic Red Bridge in Bratislava at a recreational locality Železná Studienka (“Iron Well”). It became a popular free time area since 19th century. This is the gate to the Little Carpathians, a mountain ridge that stretches from Bratislava almost 100 kilometres to the north.

First, follow the paved road 8.7 km until you reach a pub U Slivu. From now on, the unpaved route starts. Gradual ascent will take you to Biely kríž, a mountain hut with a meadow and a popular place to get a beer or food. Behind that, it is a great bike trail, sometimes almost a singletrack, across the forest.

Another option to refresh is at Pezinská Baba, a mountain pass popular by drivers and motobikers as well as by skiers during the winter.  The last part from here to your goal (Modra Piesok) is again up and down along a dirt road with some great views and downhills. Enjoy!

40 kilometres

Distance

+ 1 135 metres

Elevation gain

Medium

Difficulty

Click for directions

Mountain Route Day 1: Bratislava – Modra Piesok

Pubs and restaurants

Where to eat and drink along the way?

Horáreň Biely Kríž / 14.3 km

Nice spot surrounded by the Carpathian forests. They have good draft beer, kofola and food. And there is another, more old-school pub Klinec just across the meadow!

Chata Korenný vrch / 28.9 km

When you come to Pezinská Baba, turn right from the parking place and find this cosy spot to enjoy lunch or beverages. For Italian cuisine, try Doma na Babe. Another option is Motorest na Vrchu by the main road.

Furmanská krčma / Modra Piesok

After your arrival to the destination, walk from your guesthouse 10 minutes to this nice restaurant in a traditional Slovak style to enjoy dinner after the first stage.

Bed and Breakfast

Where will you stay for the night?

Penzión Huncokár / Modra Piesok

Nice spot surrounded by the Carpathian forests. They have Pilsen draft beer, kofola and make healthy but also powerful food. Cool!

Contact information

Address: Piesok 4045, Modra

Telephone: +421 908 898 950, +421 905 107 599

Email: huncokar@centrum.sk

What to see

Interesting locations along the route

Železná Studienka / 0-5 km

Forest recreational area with plenty of hiking trails, bike trails, a few pubs, all located in a picturesque valley.

Pezinská Baba / 29 km

The nearest ski resort from Bratislava is a peaceful place during summer to relax and refresh in one of the bistros.

Veľká Homoľa / 40 km

Watch tower with splendid views above the forests of the Little Carpathians. 1+ hour walk/hike from your accommodation one way. 

Repair shops

The best bike repair shops along the route

Šuhaj Servis

Small but flexible and friendly shop in Bratislava city centre. They repair bikes for local bike messenger so you should be in good hands!

Velocity

Last bike repair shop before you set off your journey, located just at your starting point at Železná Studienka, at the gate to Bratislava city forests.

Trax Modra

If you have technical issues at the end of the Day 1, you need to get 8 km down to Modra town. Guys at Trax bike repair shop will help you.

Things to do in Modra Piesok

Piesok is a forest recreational area located about 450 metres above sea level in the eastern slopes of the Little Carpathian mountains. 8 kilometres down the tarmac road, you would find a picturesque town Modra, famous for its wine and surrounded by vineyards. 

The centre of the area is Zochova chata with its small ski resort, luxurious hotel and several restaurants. There is also a small natural pool where you can swim, free of charge.

If you have too much energy and feel like walking, there is a nice marked hiking trail from Zochova chata along Tisove skaly rock formations up to the Veľká Homoľa observation tower and to abandoned medieval ruins of Zámčisko. Views from both places are stunning. Allow yourself 3 hours to enjoy this 8-kilometre long walk.

If you plan to stay an extra day here, there are plenty of options for day trips. One of them can be a hiking or cycling trip to the Červený Kameň (“Red Stone”) Castle, 5+ kilometres away. There are guided tours of the castle, too.