Outdoor Adventures
In Liptov Slovakia
Outdoor Adventures in Liptov Slovakia
We've been exploring the delights of the Liptov Region in Slovakia for many years and decided it was about time to share our findings and favourite outdoor adventures. We are located in the relatively flat valley between the High Tatra, Low Tatra and West Tatra Mountains with the Malá Fatra and Veľká Fatra Mountains not too far away.
The Old School House project was born out of a desire to have a mountain base where it is easily possible to be skiing or snowboarding in the winter and springtime. Cycling in the springtime was the convincing factor that purchasing this disused school was the right decision. The marked cycling trails here are many however there are a seemingly unlimited number more of unmarked trails often on forestry roads. Many of these roads meander through the forests of the Low Tatras Mountains on trails that you are unlikely to see another person until you descend back to civilisation!
The main ski resort of Jasná Chopok is the largest in Slovakia and Central Europe and the primary location for winter sports in Slovakia. With 50km of groomed pistes and four cable cars it also boasts some excellent off-piste and backcountry skiing and snowboarding, with many chutes and couloirs. It is essential to take a guide or someone that knows the entries to these as with any serious off-piste terrain it is easy to come unstuck if you don't know the precise routes.
Besides the outdoors and adventures sports in the Liptov Region there are many other more serene activities including fly fishing on the local river the Béla which passes through the village of Dovalovo on route to the larger river The Váh which flows through Slovakia, a tributary of the Danube into which it flows at the Slovak-Hungarian border at Komárno.
Foraging is popular and possible in many places in Liptov. During the summer months foraging for mushrooms and blueberries (čučoriedka) is widespread.
There are many places to enjoy thermal spas some including in the wild but also at water parks such as Tatralandia and Bešeňová or the Hotel Permon with its outdoor saunas and spas. All offer other wellness and massage services.
Accommodation is available at The Old School House for skiing, snowboarding, hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, gravel biking or simply enjoying the relaxing nature of this incredible area.
(Translated from article found in Slovak)
When the village of Dovalovo was founded, there is no exact data, but already in 1300 there is mention of Malý Doval, expropriated from the settlement of Belsko, which spread over large meadows in the sense that it belonged to the Templars and in 1312 it became royal property.
One of our guests at The Old School House travelled to Donovaly to start a hike mostly along the ridgeline of the Low Tatras (Nízke Tatry). It is a five day hike (or so the guides say). Here are the trip notes and map of the route.
Invited along for a day of trekking nearby it was time to take a day off from the daily chores of renovation to the Old School House.
The Old School House is progressing well. Since the purchase of a derelict building, the old disused catholic school in the village of Dovalovo in Liptov a colossal amount of work has been completed.
The Old School House is located at Dovalovo 145 in the municipality of Liptovský Hrádok in the Liptov Region of Slovakia.