One-day trips to the surrouding area
Terchová (www.terchova.sk)
Vratna valley (www.terchovaregion.sk), part of the reserve called Janošíkové Diery, funicular, the commemorative room of the folk hero and legendary robber Juraj Janošík (www.povazske.muzeum.sk), statue of Juraj Janošík, the church of saint Cyrila and Metod in Terchová - the wooden bethlehem, a horse riding in Gazdovský dvor (www.hafling.szm.sk). The distance from Varín to Terchová is approximate 15 km.
Strečno (www.strecno.sk)
Strečno Castle (www.povazske.muzeum.sk), ruins of the Starý hrad Castle, the Váh River floating. The distance from Varín to Strečno is approximate 6 km (across the Váh River by the ferry).
Stráňavy
the termal swimming pool. The distance from Varín to Stráňavy is approximate 10 km (across the Váh River by the ferry and then direction to Žilina).
Teplička nad Váhom
the mummy of Zofia Bosnak from the 17th century. The distance from Varín to Teplička nad Váhom is approximate 8 km (direction to Žilina).
Žilina (www.zilina.sk, www.zilina.net)
square of Andrej Hlinka, square of Virgin Mary with the Church of St. Paul (City Hall on the right), the Roman Catholic parish church of the Most Holy Trinity, the Burianova veža tower, the Church of St. Stephen (the oldest architectural sight), Budatínsky Castle with exposition of tinkers` art (www.povazske.muzeum.sk), Považská Art Gallery, city indoor swimming pool with complex of outdoor swimming pools, Žilina Dam (outlooking voyage by the ship), observatory, gifts shop Anička (www.anicka.sk). The distance from Varín to Žilina is approximate 11 km.
Lietavská Lúčka
indoor karting (www.daytona.sk). The distance from Varín to Lietavská Lúčka is approximate 16 km (direction to Žilina, Rajec).
Lietava
ruin of the Lietava Castle (www.lietava.sk). The distance from Varín to Lietava is approximate 21 km (direction to Žilina, Rajec).
Rajecké Teplice (www.rajeckadolina.sk, www.rajecketeplice.sk)
one of the most attractive spas in Slovakia, Aphrodite Spa Centre - curing methods, thermal swimming pools (www.spa.sk), the thermal outdoor swimming pool Laura. The distance from Varín to Rajecké Teplice is approximate 26 km (direction to Žilina, Rajec).
Rajec (www.rajec.sk)
the thermal outdoor swimming pools Veronika (www.veronika-rajec.sk). The distance from Varín to Rajec is approximate 33 km.
Rajecká Lesná (www.rajeckalesna.sk)
the biggest carved wooden Slovak Bethlehem. The distance from Varín to Rajecká Lesná is approximate 45 km (direction to Žilina, Rajec).
Čičmany (www.cicmany.viapvt.sk)
the Monument Reserve of Folk Architecture (it contains log peasant cottages with the typical white ornamentation), the best-preserved ones include the ground building of Radenov dom (www.povazske.muzeum.sk). The distance from Varín to Čičmany is approximate 55 km (direction to Žilina, Rajec).
Súľov (www.sulov.sk)
Súľovské skaly rocks forming an attractive rock town. The distance from Varín to Súľov is approximate 30 km (direction to Žilina, Bytča).
Nová Bystrica - with settlement Vychylovka
Museum of the Kysuce Village, an extra attraction is the forest railway. The distance from Varín to Vychyľovka is approximate 25 km (direction to Belá, Lutiše, Radôstka, Stará Bystrica).
Tourism:
The Chata pod Suchým cottage: Varín - Jedľovina - Chata pod Suchým - Starý hrad - Nezbudská Lúčka
Situation:
The Krivánska Fatra Mts. - western part.
Starting point:
Varín, bus stop.
Finishing point:
Nezbudská Lúčka, bus stop, parking lot.
Time schedule:
Varín - Pod Jedľovinou 1 h - Jedľovina 3 h - Chata pod Suchým 1 1 h - Starý hrad 1 1 h - Nezbudská Lúčka 3 h.
Total:
5 1 hours
Elevation gain:
800 m
Map:
Malá Fatra-Vrátna, 1:50 000
Basic route:
Start at the road post in the lower part of the square in Varín (362 m). Walk around the church, cross the bridge over the Varínka river and continue to the edge of the village. The whole ascent to the ridge follows the green marks. At the end of the village turn left onto the forest asphalt road and the mild ascent, which follows will carry you to large meadows called Pažite. Crossing the meadows you will get to the road post Pod Jedľovinou. The road turns toward the Chata Fatranka cottage, but your route sticks to the green marks and continues ascending through thin vegetation. Later the forest become thicker and the switchbacks make the comparatively steep ascent to the north-eastern ridge followed by the top of the Jedľovina Mt. (1035 m) somewhat easier. Descend from the top on a long switchback to the grassy sedlo Brestov saddle (970 m). The steep ascent over the Kopa Mt. (1140 m) is ahead. Continue from the Kopa Mt. through what is in places high-mountain environment to the road post in the sedlo Javorina saddle in the main ridge. The route enters the red-marked path here, which will be the one to follow up to the end of the trip. The saddle is situated several tens of meters above the Chata pod Suchým cottage (1080 m), which offers accommodation and meals. Continue from the cottage descending down the meadow and later pass the ridge of the Plešel Mt. The path in the forest turns and passes the top of the Plešel Mt. (981 m). Then the comparatively mild descent to the Starý hrad Castle follows, but the terrain changes into a very steep and stony one after a while. Do not miss the beautiful view of the Strečiansky priesmyk pass and also do visit the ruins of the Starý hrad Castle. After a short break continue in the forest and the last descent ends next to the road post in the Starohradská dolina valley where it joins the asphalt road. The red-marked trail later turns off the road and it will carry you through shrubbery to the railway underpass in Nezbudská Lúčka (360 m). The trip ends at the bus stop.
Cyclotourist:
The cyclist feels the wind on own skin and he isn`t separated from the surroundings. Ride a bicycle is not only the way of transport but there is hiden a magic of the fasted earthlymove with own power, is it the symbol of free way of life. It makes possible to recognize natural and cultural wealths of the country and it creates the friendship between people and nations.
The cyclotourist routes:
1. Terchovská route:
Varín - Krasňany (3 km) - Belá(5 km) - Terchová(7 km) - Šteranová (2 km). Length is approximate 17 km. From Terchová there is possibility continue to Zázrivá (14 km).
2. Rajecká route:
Varín - Žilina (cyclic route around the Žilina Dam is 8 km) - Lietavská Lúčka (2 km) - Porúbka (2 km) - Rajecké Teplice (5 km) - Zbyňov (3 km) - Jasenové (1 km) - Rajec (3 km) - Rajecká Lesná (6 km). Length is approximate 30 km.
3. Súľovská route:
Varín - Teplička nad Váhom (6 km) - Žilina-Budatín (4 km) - Považský Chomec (1km) - Kotešová (8 km) - Bytča (3 km) - Predmier (4 km) - Jablonové (2 km) - Súľov (3 km) - Hradná (3 km). Length is approximate 34 km.