Walking Tour along the Slovak Amber Road - Vah River Basin

Itinerary

Basin of the River Vah is an ideal place to spend the pleasant moments in a virgin nature. The surroundings of river Vah are woven through by steep rock walls, which create unusual formations. Human fantasy ascribed various names to them and together they create entire rock towns. Silent valleys where white rock towers contrast with fresh blooming meadows form an eye-catching scenery. This area hides a piece of history as well. Traditional folk villages with wonderful ruins of castles recalling the former lifestyle and glorious history of this region.

1. Day 1 Arrival in Zilina, Slovakia.

   - arrival in Slovakia; Zilina town
   - accommodation
   - free time to leisure

2. Day 2 Day hike from Terchova village to Velky Rozsutec peak.

   Small Fatra Mts. (Mala Fatra) is one of the most valuable mountain ranges of Slovakia in terms of landscape.
   Small Fatra Mts. are criss-crossed by hiking trails in total length of more than 400 km. There are also many springs and waterfalls, the highest of them is 38 m tall Sutovsky vodopad (waterfall). The mountain range also includes the Vratna valley - one of the most important ski resorts of Slovakia. The best starting point for hiking in Small Fatra is the typical Slovak village of Terchova - the birthplace of the legendary Slovak highwayman, national hero, Juraj Janosik.
   
   We will walk through the most popular reaches of the Vratna valley: You will visit Janosikove diery (gorge). These passages and canyons consist of three integrated parts - Dolne Diery (Lower gorge), Nove Diery (New gorge) and Horne Diery (The Upper gorge). There are more than twenty waterfalls in Janosikove diery. Some bizarre and interesting rock formations provide a unique enviroment for several animal species and plants. Dolne Diery, Horne Diery, and Tiesnavy; splendid landscapes of a ”rock city”, narrow gorges, miniature canyons, waterfalls and spires carved into the rock by the force of a mountain stream.
   
   We will climb Velky Rozsutec (altitude 1611 m), a jagged peak in the Small Fatra mountains famous for its forked top with a number of limestone spires.
   The peak is situated in the north part of Small Fatra called Krivanska Mala Fatra and is part of the Small Fatra National Park and Rozsutec National Nature Reserve (since 1967). Velky Rozsutec and the surrounding area are home to many endangered species of plants and animals, some of which are endemic.
   
   
   
   Overnight in Zilina

   Walk's details (interactive map):

3. Day 3 Visit the Orava castle.

   We will visit Orava Castle, lying on the river Orava near the village Oravsky Podzamok, below impressive cliffs. In 1370, it became a county castle and the seat of the Orava Castle estate, which included almost the whole region of Orava.
   
   Overnight in Zilina

4. Day 4 Day hike from Sulov village to Sulov cliffs, waterfall and castle.

   We will visit Sulovske Skaly (Sulovske cliffs), where rock formations again create a ”rock city”. The area is a popular climbing ground for both Slovak and foreign rock climbers.
   
   Interesting landforms in form of rock towers, needles, windows and gates separated by deep waterless gorges, ravines and valleys are the results of action of rain, ice, and wind, in other words, chemical and mechanical weathering. One of the most beautiful forms here is 13 metres tall Goticka brana (the Gothic Gate), a rock mushroom and many other rocks with fancy names (for instance, Maria Theresa, Owl, Spruce Tree and the like). The 7.5 kilometres long instructive path in form of circle has 17 stops. Visitors can also admire the richest site of orchids in Slovakia, the Sulovsky waterfall and the ruins of the Sulov Castle.
   
   Overnight in Zilina

   Walk's details (interactive map):

5. Day 5 Day hike through Maninska narrow.

   Maninska Tiesnava (the narrowest canyon in Slovakia) is a strictly protected nature reserve with a large number of rock formations.
   
   The narrow valley of the Maninsky brook is squeezed between rock faces, which are in places as much as 400 m tall. As a matter of fact, the valley consists of two smaller narrows separated by a small basin. Ascending up the stream of the brook it is possible to follow the instructive path, which leads to another natural landmark, the Kostolecka narrow, with the tallest rock overhang in Slovakia and an impressive rubble cone.
   
   Overnight in Zilina

   Walk's details (interactive map):

6. Day 6 Visit the ruins of Lietava castle. Possible to visit Rajecke Teplice spa town.

   We will visit the ruins of Lietava Castle, one of the largest and most visited Gothic castles of Slovakia from the 14th century;
   
   This medieval fort played an important role in the history of the north-western Slovakia. The castle was considered unconquerable in Middle Ages and its estate included wide and far environs of the Rajec basin. The castle was built at the beginning of the 14th century and its first known owner was Matus Cak Trenciansky. Different noble families owned it later and when the family of Thurzo died out, it fell in decay. It offers an attractive view of wide environs.
   
   OPTION: Spa Rajecke Teplice from the 17th century. The newly constructed compound of spa buildings Aphrodite furnished in antique style and equipped with the most modern diagnostic and therapeutic apparatuses is especially attractive. There is also a public swimming pool and a beautiful spa park. The forested rock mountains of Skalky rises above the spa. It is accessible by well-maintained paths and its top offers an all-encompassing view.
   
   Overnight in Zilina

   Walk's details (interactive map):

7. Day 7 Strecno castle visit and rafting down the river Vah on wooden rafts.

   Rafting down the river Vah on wooden rafts.
   
   The historical resources of the First Rafting Society, which provides rafting down the Vah River in this passage, say that the passage through Strecno was a real adventure for rafters, who were looking forward to it but were also afraid of it. Rafts were usually transported from Liptov, and after the rafters got round the rock cliffs called Margita a Besna, they continued in a trouble-free journey towards the Danube River and further to the Black Sea.
   This rafting passage is 7 km long. The time it takes is different, depending upon the water level, and the ride lasts from 50 to 75 minutes.
   
   We will visit the Strecno Castle, that was the safest fort in the Povazie region in the past.
   
   Overnight in Zilina

8. Day 8 Farewell.

   Farewell and departure from Slovakia.

Basic information