Close your eyes and imagine a place where you can't hear the noise of cars, only the rustle of wind in the treetops. Where instead of concrete, the scent of old wood and mountain meadows breathes on you. Welcome to Osada Podšíp!

This magical mountain settlement, hidden high above the confluence of the Orava and Váh rivers directly beneath the majestic Šíp hill, is a true step into the past. Although the last permanent residents left it in the 1950s, thanks to enthusiasts its original wooden cottages still stand today and form one of the most photogenic places in Slovakia.

It is located near the village of Stankovany and the National Nature Reserve - Šíp, whose territory is notable for its preserved vegetation zonation, rare plant species, and protected animals. The original rural area of Podšíp has preserved its landscape and architectural character to the present day, and due to its social significance, it is included in a monument zone.

It is named after the hereditary reeve Stanko. The settlements of Podšíp and Fedorov were probably established through resettlement during the Turkish raids. Available sources state that the settlement of Podšíp is mentioned in 1808, as is the settlement of Fedorov, which is also located near the village of Stankovany.

Višňovská dolina is located approximately 10 km from Žilina and is nestled in the mountains Lúčanská Fatra. It is a popular destination for its climbing terrains, including the challenging route "Panter 8b+". At the top of Hoblík (933.6 m above sea level) there is a via ferrata. Several sources of drinking water spring up in the vicinity of the valley, with the spring directly in the village of Višňové being a sought-after spot for local residents.

Turská dolina is situated near the city of Žilina on the edge of the Lúčanská Fatra, behind the village of Turie. The Turiansky potok stream flows through it. The valley trail consists of an asphalt path with a gentle incline, ending at a forester's lodge approximately 7 km from its mouth. Near the entrance, you can get drinking water. The surrounding nature gives an impression of being preserved and almost untouched.

Unique travertine formations that form around springs of highly mineralized water. Its presence in the locality determines the occurrence of species and habitats of European and national importance. There is a 4th degree of protection applied here. Efforts to restore and build a swimming pool in the past caused degradation of the area. Currently, the surrounding area is adversely affected mainly by longer stays of bathers and pollution of the surroundings with waste.

The Rojkov crater is a rare travertine formation with mineral water surrounded by the beautiful Liptov countryside. The mineral water is not the warmest – it is approximately 14 to 20 °C – but it is healing and, thanks to the strong release of carbon dioxide, it constantly bubbles slightly. The official name of the small lake is Teplica, but locals have long nicknamed it "Zlá voda" (Bad Water).

Natural baths with a unique atmosphere

Over the years, the spring water has created a unique travertine crater that remains active and is permanently filled with water. The diameter of this circular pool is about 12 meters, and its depth reaches approximately 2 meters. Wooden steps lead into the water for easier access.

Below the surface, on the bottom and sides of the crater, damaged wooden planks were replaced. This wooden lining is intended to facilitate bathing and ensure safe movement in the pond. From the bottom to the surface, bubbles of escaping gas rise in large numbers. bubliny unikajúceho plynu.

Beneficial effects on joints and skin

The small lake and its immediate surroundings are heavily used for natural swimming and recreation, especially during the summer months. While in the water, people feel a characteristic, gentle tingling all over their bodies. CO2 is constantly released from the lake, and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is naturally formed. The water has a beneficial and healing effect, especially on joints and various skin diseases. Moreover, if you look carefully, you can discover fascinating imprints of leaves of prehistoric trees in the travertine walls of the lake.

The village of Ľubochňa played a relatively important role from the 17th century in the wider area. There was a glassworks, a mill, water- and steam-powered sawmills, later also electric ones. At the beginning of the 18th century, an iron forge was established to process raw iron imported on rafts. In 1903, a hydroelectric power plant and a narrow-gauge forest railway were built here, also as the first electrified one in Central Europe. Its importance increased in the 19th century, when Count András Bethlen, the founder of Tatranská Lomnica, built state hotels, private villas, parks, spa houses, and a swimming pool. The construction was carried out in the Art Nouveau style with wooden half-timbered architecture. Ľubochňa is a well-known spa destination for endocrine diseases, and the National Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetology is located here.

Fig. 1: Art Nouveau style of buildings and spa houses

Museum of the Liptov Village differs significantly from other open-air museums mainly in the form of its layout and the composition of its buildings. It is an image of a medieval settlement with the privileges and rights of small towns. In addition to wooden residential and farm buildings, representing typical features of the folk architecture of peasant and craftsman classes, there are also two rare medieval stone structures. All the buildings together create a unique composition of the historical and cultural environment of ancient Liptov. The Gothic-Renaissance manor house from Parížovce is the oldest preserved gentry residence in Liptov from the 14th–16th century and is associated with King Matthias Corvinus and his son John Corvinus, the Prince of Liptov.

Peak Kľak (1,352 m above sea level) is undoubtedly the most prominent and most popular peak of the southern part of the Lúčanská Malá Fatra. Its characteristic silhouette resembling a "nose" or a curved beak is visible from the entire upper Ponitrie region as well as the Rajec Basin. As you pass through the Rajec Valley, your gaze will certainly be drawn to its unmistakable, sharply cut limestone peak, which rises majestically above the dense forests. Kľak is an absolute legend and the uncrowned king of the southern part of the Lúčanská Fatra. Climbing it is a popular classic that should not be missing from the hiking diary of any mountain lover.

From various parts of the world, the Kľak mountain is adorned with a typical "nose":

View of Kľak from Skalka in the Lučanská Fatra

View of Kľak from the ridge crossing of the Lučanská Fatra

View of Kľak from the ridge crossing of the Lučanská Fatra

View of Kľak during the ascent to the Minčol peak

View of Kľak in the far background of a photograph from Kláštor pod Znievom

Natural conditions

Geology and relief: Limestone crown

Kľak is formed by massive layers of the Choč nappe, which in practice means that on softer bedrock sits a massive cap of resistant limestones and dolomites.

• Shape of the summit: The summit is formed by an unmistakable rocky crag that sharply rises above the surrounding terrain. From the south and west sides, it drops in almost vertical walls.
• Karst phenomena: The massif contains several smaller cave formations and rock windows. The most famous is the Cave above the Spring, located below the summit plateau.
• Kľacký vodopád: Directly below the summit (towards Vrícko) there is a national natural monument – a 30-meter-high stepped waterfall, which is most beautiful after the spring snowmelt.

Flora: A botanical treasure trove

Thanks to the limestone bedrock and its location at the intersection of climatic regions, Kľak is home to rare plants:

• Subalpine meadows: The summit itself is treeless, covered with mountain meadows. In spring, the Carpathian soldanella, Carpathian crocus bloom here, and later the rare narcissus-flowered anemone.
• Relict forests: On steep slopes, maple-beech mountain forests grow with an admixture of rowan. At the highest elevations, you will find twisted beeches that struggle against wind and snow (so-called "dwarfed").
• Rare rock plants: In rock crevices grow the bare primrose and the endemic shiny pink.

Fauna: Wildness in the heart of the mountains

The surroundings of Kľak are part of the Kľak National Nature Reserve (declared as early as 1923), which ensures the protection of animals:

• Large predators: This area is a key biocorridor for brown bear and gray wolf. Steep and inaccessible cliffs are an ideal territory for Eurasian lynx.
• Birds: On the rocks nests the peregrine falcon , and in the surrounding forests you can rarely spot a capercaillie or a Ural owl.

Access and transport

1. From Fačkovské sedlo (Most popular route)

This route is the shortest, least demanding, and manageable even for families with children or less experienced hikers.

• Route: Fačkovské sedlo – Staré cesty – Reváňske sedlo – Kľak.
• Marking: Yellow (at the beginning a bit of red).
• Ascension time: approx. 1.5 – 2 hours (Elevation gain: approx. 560 m).
• By car: You can park directly at Fačkovské sedlo (near Salaš Kľak). The parking lot is large, but during the season and on weekends it is paid (approx. 4 – 5 €/day) and fills up quickly.
• By bus: Stop “Kľačno, Fačkovské sedlo”. Connections run here from Žilina, Prievidza, or Martin.

2. From Vrícko via Kľacký vodopád

This is a visually exceptionally attractive route, ideal for photography lovers and untouched nature. It is a bit longer, but the reward is a beautiful waterfall in the valley.

• Route and marking: Vrícko (COOP Jednota stop) – Kľacký waterfall – Kľak peak (follow the green tourist trail the whole time).
• Ascent parameters: The hike takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, with a total elevation gain from the village of about 880 meters.
• Main attraction: The trail directly crosses the 30-meter Kľacký Waterfall, which is a protected natural monument and gains its greatest strength during the spring snowmelt.

Location map:

 

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