Veľká Knola (1,266 m a.s.l.) is a rewarding peak in the Volovské vrchy range of the Slovak Ore Mountains, sitting just 10 km southwest of Spišská Nová Ves. It may not be the tallest summit in the area, but it more than makes up for it with a pleasant ridge hike and surprisingly far-reaching views.

The summit ridge stretches from Pálenica through the Grajnár saddle, surrounded by neighbours like Babiná, Smrečinka and Muráň. The terrain is characteristic of central Slovakia — quiet spruce forests, gentle ridgelines and a sense of peaceful remoteness. In winter the whole massif turns into a snow-covered wonderland, while summer and autumn reward hikers in the clearer spots and forest openings with sweeping panoramas: the High Tatras, Branisko, Čierna hora, Levoča Hills, Kráľova hoľa and Stolické vrchy all come into view. The summit area is partly protected as the Knola nature reserve, adding a sense of wildness to the experience.

• From the Čertova hlava saddle (northwest) — yellow trail via Pod Muráňom junction — moderate
• From the Malá Knola junction (east) — yellow or blue trail — moderate
• From the Grajnár saddle (east) — blue trail via Malá Knola — moderate
• From Novoveská Huta (north) — blue trail via Pod Muráňom — moderate
• From the village of Hnilec — green trail via Grajnár saddle — moderate

• A large part of the massif falls within the Knola protected nature area — please keep to marked trails.
• There is no hut or cable car at or near the summit; this is a wilderness hiking destination.

Veľká Knola is the peak that gave its name to an entire geomorphological sub-unit — a mark of its prominence in the local landscape and a great reason to come and see it for yourself.