One-day trips
National Park of Malá Fatra
The National Park of Malá Fatra is situated in the westernmost Slovak high mountains Malá Fatra. Gorges, rock peaks and an attractive ridge tour are among its attractions. The main subject of protection is the territory with varied geological history and dissected relief forms, rare and precious biocenoses, flora and fauna, and the exceptional value of forest and mountain compounds with precious dwarf pinewoods, rapacious animals such as the wolf, lynx or bear. The waterfall Šútovský vodopád, Horné Diery and Dolné Diery and the tops like Malý Rozsutec, Veľký Rozsutec or Veľký Fatranský Kriváň are the popular destinations of tourist. The ideal starting point for trips in the Park is the localities Terchová, Vrátna and Štefanová. Distance Varín - Terchová 15 km.
More info:www.vratna.sk
The Castle of Strečno
On the left bank of the Váh river, close to Žilina, you find the Strečno Castle on top of the limestone rock. In the past it was the safest fort in the Považie region. The castle was mentioned for the first time in 1384 in a phrase Comitatus castri Strechyn, i.e. estates of the Castle of Strečno. Based on indirect written reports it can be assumed that the Castle already existed in the first half of the 14th century. It was to safeguard the toll collection at a ford through the Váh river. The Castle of Strečno is an indispensable part of the landscape scenery of the Malá Fatra mountains and the castle rock and the path above the Castle provide a beautiful view of the Strečiansky priesmyk mountain pass, Domašínsky meander and a great part of the Žilinská kotlina basin. Distance Varín - The Castle of Strečno 4 km.
More info:www.pmza.sk
Open Air Museum of the Kysuce Village
The outdoor ethnographic exposition presents the "kopanice" type of scattered settlements in hilly areas which was typical of the Kysuce region. The main reason for the establishment of the Museum of Kysuce Village was to save rare objects of folk architecture from the villages of Riečnica and Harvelka that would have otherwise been inundated due to the construction of Nová Bystrica dam. Gradually, structures used for dwelling, farming, technical or sacral purposes from several villages of the Kysuce region have been relocated to the Museum, which started its pilot operation in 1981. Every Sunday during the tourist season (May – October) the Museum offers its visitors cultural events with a varied programme and presents the Museum as an authentic village, specifically through breeding livestock, cultivation of crops and authentic cuisine consisting of dishes from the years long past, times of our grandmothers. Distance Varín - Vychylovka 25 km.
The city of Žilina
ŽILINA is the metropolis of the north-west of Slovakia, a town at the confluence of three rivers - the Vah, the Kysuca and the Rajčianka, and the fourth biggest town of the Slovak Republic. It is the seat of the Žilina Self-Governing Region and a gate to the region of Horné Považie. ŽILINA (population 85,655) has undergone dynamic development that has been accelerated by the investment of KIA Motors Slovakia. However, the town is not only an automobile production centre, but together with the Horné Považie region, it is also an interesting place for tourists. It is the seat of the University of Žilina, and since 2008 of the Žilina Bishopric. The popularity of the town as a centre of workshop and conference tourism has been growing too. Distance Varín - Žilina 9 km
Aquaparks and thermal swimming pools
Spa&Aquapark Turčianske Teplice
SPA&AQUAPARK Turčianske Teplice is situated in the heart of Slovakia, in Horný Turiec environment, just a few kilometres from geographical middle of Europe. The mentioned area SPA&AQUAPARK is situated at the end of a beautiful spa park, in the centre of the town Turčianske Teplice. Turčianske Teplice is situated in Turiec valley between Malá and Veľká Fatra mountain. Surroundings offer wode opportunities for hiking, cycling, bathing in summer and skiing in winter. Distance Varín - Turčianske Teplice 40 km (use the Ferry in Nezbudska Lúčka).
Area SPA (healing thermal mineral water of 38 Celsius degrees)
Year-round operation:
1) RED relaxing bath 38 Celsius degrees
2) FOLK rehabilitation bath 33 Celsius degrees
3) WHIRLPOOL 35 Celsius degrees
Area AQUAPARK (thermal water to 35 Celsius degrees)
Year-round operation:
1) SWIMMING POOL 25 m (outside pool with water spouters and massage jets)
2) SITTING POOL of circle shape with lightening effect and massage jets
3) SWITCHBACKS „Kamikadze (47 m) and „ATTRACTIONAL MOVIE“ (97 m) with sound, light and pcture effects
Summer operation:
1) ATTRACTIONAL POOL ( wild river, water cannon with spouter, water massage beds, slide)
2) CHILDREN POOL (slide, children place)
More info:http://aquapark.therme.sk
Thermal swimming pool Veronika - Rajec
The facility includes eight pools that suit the needs of all kinds of visitors, with the swimming pool being the largest of them, as it is 50 metres long, 21 metres wide and 1.8 metres deep. The centre also features a car park, a wide selection of snacks, sports (beach volleyball, mini golf, table tennis and basketball) and amenities for children (a water slide, a number of slides, jungle gyms and a sand pit).Distance Varín - Rajec 33 km.
More info:www.veronika-rajec.sk
Thermal swimming pool Laura - Rajecké Teplice
You can bathe in the Laura thermal spa in two swimming pools, from which one is for the children. The water temperature is 20 - 26oC. The area also offers mini-golf, beach volley, restaurants and snack bars with fast food. A parking lot is nearby. Distance Varín - Rajecké Teplice 26 km.
More info:www.spa.sk
Sports activities
Adventure golf
Did you hear about adventure golf? Not yet? It is the best time to try how to play this game. It is not like a minigolf or golf. It is something in the middle. Adventure golf is the best entertainment for every age bracket. Distance Varín - Zázrivá 25 km.
Where is it:map
Rafting on the raft boats
Possibility of rafting on the river Orava and Váh. Please, for more information contact the reception of the campsite.
Rafting on the float boats
Possibility of rafting on the river Váh. Please, for more information contact the reception of the campsite.
SUN PARADISE - Veľká Rača Oščadnica
Summer funpark of entertainment and adrenalin in one of the best ski resorts in the mountains of Kysucke Beskydy. You can try alpin coaster - bobsled track, rope park, kids rope park, climbing walls, trampolines, downhill or scooter Monster. Distance Varín - Oščadnica 40 km.
More info:http://www.parksnow.sk/raca-leto/
Hiking
Jánošíkové diery
The area of the Veľký Rozsutec Mt. is the National Nature Reserve. Part of the reserve is the system of gorges called Diery. It consists of three independent parts. The Dolné diery is the gorge accessible by ladders and footbridges. The Horné diery is another gorge between the Veľký and Malý Rozsutec Mts. characterised by spectacular rocks, waterfalls and abundant and rare flora. The Nové diery is the third gorge, which protrudes from the Dolné diery up the stream of one of the tributaries of the brook.
Súľovské skaly rocks
The Súľovské skaly rocks forming an attractive rock town are situated in the north-west of Slovakia, only several kilometres from Žilina. 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. Among the most beautiful forms here are the 13 metres tall Gotická brána (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 Súľovský vodopád waterfall and the ruins of the Súľovský hrad Castle.
The Veľký Rozsutec (1610 m.n.m.) - Malá Fatra
Elevation gain:
985 m
Map of elevation:map
Duration:
5 h 30 min
Starting point:
Štefanová, bust stop, parking place, district Žilina.
Finishing point:
Štefanová, bus stop, parking place, district Žilina.
Time schedule:
Štefanová - Podžiar 1/2 h - Horné diery 3/4 h - Medzirozsutce 3/4 h - Veľký Rozsutec 1 1/4 h - Medziholie 1 h - Štefanová 1 1/4 h
Description of the route:
Demanding and difficult tour for its great altitude difference and the ascent to the Veľký Rozsutec Mt. Pay attention to the marking in the top part, orientation in the remaining stretches is easy. The first part of the tour from village Štefanová to Podžiar coincides with the route of the instructive path. There are also dangerous spots in the top parts in the period of spring or autumn frosts, and the forest around the saddle of Medziholie-Štefanová is muddy during and long after the rainy days.
The Veľký Kriváň (1709 m.n.m.) - Malá Fatra
Elevation gain:
1 009 m
Map of elevation:map
Čas:
6 h 30 min
Starting point:
Vrátna, bus stop, parking place, district Žilina
Finishing point:
Vrátna, bus stop, parking place, district Žilina.
Time schedule:
Vrátna - Chata Vrátna 1/4 h - Snilovské sedlo 1 3/4 h - Veľký Kriváň 1 h - Na koni 1 1/4 h - Chrapáky 1 h - Sedlo za Kraviarskym 1/4 h - Vrátna 1 h.
Description of the route:
This strenuous and demanding tour is the way of ascent to the tallest top of the Malá Fatra Mts. It is demanding for the steep ascent and a large altitude difference on a short distance under the chair lift to the Snilovské sedlo saddle. The descent from the saddle Za Kraviarskym to the Stará dolina valley is also difficult. The tour runs first in the forest, then through alpine meadows, while the views from the ridge to the Vrátna valley and the surrounding mountain ranges open. The middle part of the tour is very good for views. Orientation is simple as the route runs on well-beaten footpaths and poles mark the way in the alpine zone. Pay attention while ascending and descending in the forest in rainy weather and advance carefully.
The ridge of the Krivánska Fatra Mts. – west - Malá Fatra
Elevation gain:
1 309 m
Map of elevation:map
Time:
8 h 30 min
Starting point:
Strečno, bus stop, parking place, district Žilina.
Finishing point:
Chata Vrátna, bus stop, parking place, district Žilina.
Time schedule:
Strečno - Chata pod Suchým 3 h - Suchý 1 h - Priehyb 1 h - Malý Kriváň 3/4 h - Veľký Kriváň 1 1/4 h - Snilovské sedlo 1/2 h - Chata Vrátna 1 h.
Opis trasy:
Demanding and strenuous ridge tour for its length and altitude difference. The initial ascent to the Chata pod Suchým cottage is the first very steep and it is followed by another to the Suchý Mt. The section between the Suchý Mt. and the Priehyb saddle is one of the most beautiful parts of the ridge tour in the Malá Fatra Mts. In spite of the technically difficult hiking on the narrow path between the rocks towering above the steep slopes it offers almost everything. The stretch from the Suchý Mt. to the funicular station below the Snilovské sedlo saddle runs in the alpine zone with sporadic spots of dwarf pine wood. At the end of the trip is the very steep descent to the Chata Vrátna cottage, passable with problems in or after rainy weather. Orientation is easy but the trip is recommended only in good weather.
Cycle - tours:
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.