Discovering Slovakia: Orava, Liptov, Tatry regions in three days

In the summer of 2016 I have decided to re-discover the Northern areas of Slovakia. I have been there already several times, but always by bus or with a large group. This time, it was mostly on my own terms, driving my little blue swifty and enjoying the road trip and the beautiful views. Below are more details about the place and the “break-your-tongue” itinerary for three days. 🙂 I understand that some of the Slovak names must be difficult for you to pronounce, but we Slovaks are quite happy with the straightforward cardinal rule of the language – read the letters that you see – so the words are pronounced more in German way rather than English or French. And I hope this minor pronunciation issue will not set you back, the region is beautiful and worth visiting. Especially if you are into hiking, mountains, nature, history and wellness.

Hrabovo appartments with an artificial lake, Ruzomberok, Liptov, Slovakia

Our base was a small settlement Hrabovo just on the foot of Malino Brdo mountain, near Ruzomberok. This is primarily a ski resort and used by hikers and mountain bikers in the summer. There is also an adventure park, a small artificial lake and several apartment houses. You can take a cable car to the hill and then change to ski lift to get to the very top. As an alternative mode of transport downhill, you either walk, bike or rent a four wheel cart. Near Hrabovo are also three famous farms called “salase” where you certainly must sample the local food: Krajinka (west), Kozi vrsok (east) a U dobreho pastiera (south in Cukotska dolina).

View from the top of Malino Brdo, Liptov, Slovakia

Salas U dobreho pastiera, Liptov, Slovakia

The first day we set off north to Orava via Zuberec to Namestovo. We stopped at Tvrdosin to admire the wooden Church, at the Orava dam and in Oravsky podzamok to admire the Orava castle. On the way back we drove via Dolny Kubin (if you have time, visit museums here) and Likava castle ruins.

The second day we drove east around the wellness resort Besenova, the Liptovska Mara dam, the open air museum in Pribylina to Tatry mountains and hiked a little around Strbske pleso.