Perched on a dramatic rocky spur above the Stupava stream valley in the southernmost tip of the Malé Karpaty mountains, Dračí hrádok — 'Dragon's Castle' — is a hauntingly atmospheric medieval ruin that rewards curious explorers. At 370 m above sea level, it's not a high summit, but its commanding position and rich history make it far more than just a pile of old stones.

The castle occupies a narrow ridge of the Úboč hill, just 2 km east of the village of Borinka. The surrounding beech and oak forest keeps the path cool and shaded in summer, while in autumn the golden canopy turns the whole hillside into a painter's dream. Even in winter, the bare ruins against a grey sky carry a brooding, almost mythical quality. Look out for the remains of the entrance bridge wall — it's the most visible surviving fragment of a once-formidable fortification that included a 10x10 m central tower separated from the rest of the castle by a rock-hewn moat 6 metres deep.

• Borinka village (parking available) — trail heading east, approx. 2 km, difficulty: easy to moderate

• Only part of the entrance bridge wall is currently visible above ground — the rest of the foundations are buried
• No tourist facilities on site — bring water and snacks

The castle most likely burned down in the first half of the 15th century, probably during the Hussite raids into western Slovakia — a dramatic end for a fortress that may once have been linked to the legendary Order of the Dragon, founded by King Sigismund of Luxembourg in 1408.