Solivar — salt mine from the 16th century. Slovakia's top tech monument.
13 km cycle route through Prešov to Slovakia's most important technical monument. Leopold shaft sunk from 1571, gauze pump driven by four pairs of horses, 8 wooden brine reservoirs from 1815. National cultural monument. Full-day experience, entry only with a guide at set times.
Jarková → EuroVelo 11 → Prešov → Solivar. Across the city.
First 7.5 km on the EuroVelo 11 cycle path from Jarková through Sídlisko III, Sídlisko II, past Wilec hill, the city hall and central Prešov. Then 5.5 km through the city — Hlavná street, Sabinovská, Mlynský náhon cycle path, towards Solivar. The last section is urban — requires confidence riding among cars. Not for absolute beginners.
- Distance13 km · 26 km return
- Elevation~10 m, virtually flat
- Surface70% cycle path, 30% city
- Duration1-1.5 h riding + 1 h tour
Plan a full day: 1-1.5 h there + 1 h guided tour + 1-1.5 h back = 4-5 hours. We recommend leaving Šariš at 8:00 to make the 9:00 or 10:30 entry. From central Prešov to Solivar there's also a cykloželeznička — a former railway siding repurposed as a cycle path — to the Sigord recreation area in the Slanské vrchy mountains, an extra 10 km if you have a strong machine.
Five objects, 450 years of history.
Leopold shaft (1571)
Sinking started in 1571, official start of underground mining at Soľná Baňa 1572. Original depth 155 m. In 1752 flooded by underground water — turned into an underground salt lake, requiring a unique technology of pumping in leather bellows.
19th-century gauze (horse-driven pump)
Wooden pump driven by four pairs of horses. Built in 1674, mechanism repaired in 1807 and 1844. Brine pumped in a leather bellow holding 5-7 hl. One of the largest gauzes in Central Europe. Still functional and accessible.
Četerne — 8 brine reservoirs
From 1815. Eight wooden tanks on stone bases holding 1320 hl each, total 10,560 hl. All under one roof, structurally adapted to the terrain. Brine flowed in a wooden pipeline from Leopold shaft via a settling basin.
Salt warehouse
Late-baroque dominant of the complex, completed 1825. Burned twice — 1819 (after the first fire, second floor and clock tower added) and 18 May 1986 (the precious cross-truss timber roof was destroyed). Reopened to public after extensive reconstruction in 2016.
Salt boiling house + Klopačka
The František boiling house — where salt was boiled in evaporator pans, crystalline salt was scooped into drying chambers and silos. Klopačka (turret) — historic bell tower; knocking on a board announced shifts and emergencies. Plus St Roch's chapel (patron of salt miners).
Opening hours & guided tours only.
- Tuesday – Saturday: 9:00 – 17:00
- Monday + Sunday: CLOSED
- Guided tour times:
- 9:00 · 10:30 · 12:30 · 14:00 · 15:30
- Tuesday – Saturday: 8:00 – 16:00
- Monday + Sunday: CLOSED
- Guided tour times:
- 8:00 · 9:00 · 10:30 · 12:30 · 14:00
Address: Námestie osloboditeľov 4, 080 05 Prešov-Solivar · Phone: +421 918 965 698 · Email: muzeum.solivar@stm-ke.sk · Web: muzeumsolivar.sk
Operator: Slovak Technical Museum Košice. Tour duration ~60 minutes, guided only. Free admission on the first Wednesday of each month was abolished from 1 January 2025. For exact entry fees call the museum directly.
Advanced route. Three machines.
26 km return + riding through central Prešov requires a stronger scooter and confidence in city traffic. For this route we recommend the more powerful G3 or G4 — the entry-level G2 handles it only at an easy pace.
Kugoo G4 PICK
Best choice. Top of the range with the longest range in the fleet — 26 km return + reserve. Stable and confident through the city, top-spec equipment for experienced riders.
Kugoo G3
More powerful, longer range. You're quick even in the centre, in Solivar in 30-40 minutes. A solid pick for confident riders on this advanced route.
Kugoo G2
Entry-level all-round choice. Reliable on the cycle path and in the city centre — enough for this route if you ride at an easy pace. For more reserve reach for the stronger G3 or G4 instead.
Six details for a full-day route.
13 km through Prešov requires planning. Here's local advice on how to handle the route comfortably and make the museum tour on time.
When to leave
We recommend 8:00 from Šariš to make the 9:00 or 10:30 tour. Outside rush hour means fewer cars in central Prešov. Monday and Sunday no go — museum closed.
What to bring
Water, cash (entry €5-10/person), warmer clothes even in summer (salt warehouses are cold), charged phone. Helmet from us. Snack before leaving — there's nothing in Solivar, nearest restaurant is in central Prešov.
Photo spots
The gauze — wooden pyramid with the mechanism. Salt warehouse with clock and tower. Wooden brine reservoirs under one roof. On the way — Sarus cycle bridge, Gothic St Nicholas cathedral in central Prešov.
Sigord extension
From central Prešov / Solivar, the cykloželeznička (former railway siding) leads to the Sigord recreation area in the Slanské vrchy mountains. Another ~10 km. Reachable on the Kugoo G3 or G4. Sigord has a pond and restaurants.
City centre safety
Prešov centre has a cycle path along Mlynský náhon (since 2020), but sometimes you need to ride on roads among cars. We recommend the Kugoo G4 — stable and more visible in traffic. On Hlavná street (pedestrian zone) dismount and push.
Who this isn't for
Not for absolute beginners (city traffic). On the entry-level Kugoo G2 the range is borderline. Not for less fit riders (26 km on a scooter is a lot). For families with children pick Ponds or EuroVelo Michaľany instead.
Three more routes (easier alternatives).
Solivar is our most demanding route. Looking for something shorter or calmer? Here are alternatives.
Call +421 948 213 898 — first time to Solivar? We'll recommend the best machine and help with a safe city route.