Everything associated with mountain activity is available in the Tatras – all within easy reach of the Chalet. Available for an Actvity Week or on a B&B basis. (Scroll down for a typical itinary)
Included in your Activity Week: 7 nights’ accommodation with free cooked breakfast
Free daily transport to & from local activities in the Chalet Slovakia minibus
Orientation & biking/hiking guiding as required
Full use of the spacious Chalet, Wii, DVD library, PS3, ping pong
Unlimited mountain bike hire
Arrangement and organisation of activities
Afternoon tea, coffee & cake
Last evening BBQ
Loads of help, maps and info
Biking
Downhill – local area Rozemberok, utulise their ski lifts to take bikes up the mountain throughout the summer. Purpose built trails for all abilities snake down through the forest, dropping just under a vertical kilometre, on a choice of routes; easy through to killer. Purpose built Specialized Big Hit II’s are available to hire, all day lift ticket with full body armour and helmet – excellent value at just €75.
Cross-country – The gorgeous mountain terrain is a heaven for mountain bikers, where you can go as far, or as little, into the mountains as you wish. Dan spends his spare time exploring the trails and tracks to discover the best riding, and has tailor made rides to suit all abilities – from family to technical singletrack. Accessible from the Chalet, or a short drive up into the mountains, the trails go on for miles through lush evergreen forests with fantastic views. Bikes available from the Chalet for €15 a day. Unlimited free bike use included in Activity Week, full guiding available.
Road-cycling – The empty mountain roads of the region, and of course the natural beauty of the National Parks make road cycling a real treat. Explore nearby peaceful villages, climb one of the numerous valleys, or circumnavigate the picturesque Liptovsky Mara lake.
Hiking
A first-rate network of trails riddle the Tatras National Parks and offer fantastic mountain scenery with over 600km of trail, excellently maintained and signposted. The Tatra foothills can be reached by foot from the Chalet and the National Park mountain trails can be explored in just a short drive (transport included). The Tatras are the most impressive and highest part of the Carpathian Mountians, with nearly a 100 of the peaks reaching above 2000m. The region is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, giving strict protection to its’ diversity of nature and wildlife. The mountains are steep and aggressive from a far, though once amongst them you will find quiet villages tucked away, hidden lakes and mountain chalets, meandering paths through meadows and forest, within sight of the soaring vertical heights above give way to high alpine scrambling. A map of the local hiking area can be found here A very good first-timers’ hiking account can be found here, and an informative guidebook entry here Maps, advice, suggestions and info will be available throughout your stay.
More challenging possibilities are the unique gorge walks of ‘Slovak Paradise‘. Many of the gorges are accessible only by hand-built wooden platforms, rails and ladders which suspend you above the river. There are few places where it is possible to encounter such a varied landscape – meadows, chasms, canyons, gorges, plateaux, caves and waterfalls within such a small area. Some negotiating along the ravines which requires the use of hand-built ladders, hand rails and chains, so a head for heights is required. This is also an ideal day trip to tie in with a visit to Spis Castle – one of the largest castles in Central Europe.
Water Sports
Rafting Salomn– Tackle the raging waters of the river Vah, available May through September, based in town on the purpose-built white water area, site of the bi-annual European Championships. Class II and III rapids. Prices are €35 per person (minimum 3 people) for approx. 90 mins river time. Full wetsuit and equipment supplied and all abilities catered for, minimum age 12 years. Also in the same vincinity is the wake-boarding park, paintballing, quading, archary and crazy-golf. Scenic guided rafting trips along part of the Vah river, relax and watch the world go by. Minimum 3 persons. Suitable for all. or two-person canoes available for a day on the river. Spend the morning with an instructor, followed by the afternoon making your own way down the river. €40 per person with full kit and instruction supplied.
Lake Mara –A couple of decades ago the end of the valley was dammed to create the ‘little sea’ – 13km x 4km in size. The lake offers pedalos, swimming, lazing around in the sun and breath taking scenary. Lake Mara offers excellent fishing conditions with breath taking scenary. The lake is stocked with carp, tench, pike, perch, zander and trout are abundant in the rivers. A Rod Licence currently costs €2.50 for a week, and a Guest Fishing Licence €20 a day, €85 for the week.
Aqua Parks and Hot Springs –Tatralandia is the largest aqua park in Central Europe – tatralandia – just 3km from the Chalet. Large indoor & outdoor thermal pools up to 38°C overlooking the mountains – 16 water slides, tropical jungle, bouncy-castle area, trampolining, saunas, spa pampering, restaurants. A little further afield is Besenova, large thermal pools, a giant wave machine and many slides. Anyone a little more adventurous can seek out any of the (reputed) 1000 natural springs that are hidden around the country. Liptovsky Jan is just 5km from the Chalet and can be tied in with a bike ride, hike or just as an extra activity.
Culture
Music events are common during the summer months, with shows put on in the town square every July and August weekend.
Museums – Just a few miles from the Chalet is the open air Liptov museum Buildings that were in the flooding area for the Mara Lake have been reconstructed to make an authentic 18th Century Liptov village with animals to pet and buildings to wander around -€4 entry. Music events are common during the summer months, with shows put on in the town square every July and August weekend.
Castles -Orava castle is a spectacular fortress perched high on a cliff over looking the Orava rivers and the setting for numerous films. Chalet Slovakia runs a day trip excursion to Orava Castle for €20pp (min 2 persons) or €80 for up to 8. Entry into the castle is €7. The trip also ties in with a visit to the Lucky waterfall where you can swim in the natural pool (weather depending). The gigantic Spis Castle to the East was first built in the 13th Century but was left to ruins by a fire in 1780. It’s size makes it the largest medieval ruins in Central Europe and spectacular viewing. Day trips from €30 pp (min 2 persons) or €120 for up to 8. Entry into the castle is €6. English guide head sets available.
Also…
Tarzania – A brilliant tree-top climbing experience. Don a harness and lid, climb a tree, and then climb, swing, scramble, and slide your way (for 1-2 hours) through the forest from tree to tree. Only €10.
Paragliding – See the mountains from the sky. Where else can you fly in the mountains for only €65 (tandem flight). Available all year, but subject, of course, to weather moods. Paragliding courses available.
Wind Tunnel – Experience flying in the local wind tunnel.
Helicopter trips – a snip at €90.
Liptovsky Mikulas – Relaxing in the town square. Eating 60cent ice creams and people watching.
Caves -the outlandish natural sculptures of the Demanovska cave system lie buried in a timeless subterranean world. It is the largest cave system in Slovakia and part of a huge network that runs through the Low Tatras, with 2km of its 8km available to the public. Two cave systems are open to the public the first being the Cave of Liberty and the second the Ice caves
Example itinerary for Actvity Week
Below is a typical itinerary to give you some idea of what is available. This is completely flexible of course to suit your requirements. Some activities will be weather-dependent.
Arrival Day – Depending on the time, unpack, then grab a bike for a little taste of the area. A short ride gets you up into the hills to take in the dramatic setting of the valley.
Day 2 – Head down to the river for some rafting action. Gentle meandering or white-water slalom, take your pick. To wind down afterward, grab an ice cream and people watch in the town square.
Day 3 – Hike up the Ziar valley through the forest trail to the Chata (mountain hotel) for lunch, then whizz back down on a hire scooter.
Day 4 – Head up to Jasna valley for the adrenaline day – Tarzania, mountain-biking (downhill and/or x-country), climbing, hiking the National Parks, visit the caves.
Day 5 – A day of rest to soak away the aches at Tatralandia Hot Springs Aqua Park…. an Alton Towers with water : a dozen pools of varying temperature, chutes, slides, bouncy castle land, trampolining for adults, Tarzania 2, massages, saunas, and snoozing in the sun.
Day 6 – Mountain biking at Ruzemberok, followed by an afternoon at the lake, hire a pedalo or relax in the sun. Return to the chalet for an evening bbq.
CHALET SLOVAKIA 