Liptov and Orava 1/2

Rodzaj nawierzchni:
asfaltowe ścieżki rowerowe
drogi publiczne

Rodzaj roweru:
SPD - trasy odpowiednie dla każdego rodzaju roweru, tzn. szosowego, crossowego i górskiego/MTB
TRK - trasy odpowiednie dla roweru crossowego i górskiego/MTB

Welcome to the sunny side of Tatras! Poprad, Váh, and Orava are the three rivers, which play an important role in three neighbouring lands: Spiš, Liptov, and Orava. The first day of this two-day trip will lead you mostly along Poprad and Váh - flowing through old cities, but also wooden enclaves. What is more, there’s a great deal of Slovakian history for you to learn about. 

Total length: 70.6 kmTotal ascent: 640 mRiding time (without breaks): 4 h 31 minRequired experience: lowNecessary physical fitness: moderateStart and end: Poprad, Liptovský MikulášAccess: train (Poprad-Tatry, Liptovský Mikuláš), car
Notes: the trail is a part of a two-day trip, or a one-day excursion if you take a train back to the starting pointHelmets required in Slovakia Suitable for teenagersMostly far away from car trafficyou can check the train timetable at www.slovakrail.sk
Main attractions of the route:Poprad: the heart of the Slovakian Tatra foothills; created from the combination of smaller settlements. A comfortable point for trips to many parts of the High Tatras, the starting station of tatranská elektrická (Tatra Electric Railway), and a nice old town.Route Poprad - Svit: a picturesque riverine cycling path, running through the fields. Vast views over Tatra mountains and Low Tatras.Svit: do not be fooled by this romantic name. It’s an abbreviation of the Slovenské Vizkózové Továrne - Slovakian viscose factory. This is why this place is so interesting - the architecture and urban planning here let you observe the original settlement from the 1930s.Čierny Váh Valley: a long green valley, where you won’t meet many other people. Sanctuary of peace and quiet.Liptovský Ján: formerly a crucial town of the country and the region, nowadays, a little sleepy and forgotten town with a great historical value.Church in Okoličné: an original example of Gothic architecture in Liptov.Liptovský Mikuláš: Liptovský Saint Nicholas. A very important city in Slovakian history, tempting us with a beautiful lake and geothermal springs
Description:
The trail starts in Poprad. From the old city centre, the Route around the Tatras leads us to the outskirts, where for around 10 km, we follow the Poprad river, admiring the wide panoramas. Close behind Svit (interesting interwar architecture), we bid goodbye to the river, to enter Liptov, along with rural landscapes of Lučivná and Šuňava. Šuňava, which name can stem from the sound of rustling forests, is located on the border of the Baltic and the Black Sea watershed.
After crossing the village, for around 20 km, we get into the woodsy valley of Čierný Váh. Despite appearances, the trail is rather difficult, going up and down the hills, travelling on the slopes joining in a narrow valley. After around 10 km, there’s a surprise - in the expanse of the valley, you will find the water dam Čierný Váh.
Behind the dam, the road gets easier, leading us to Kráľovej Lehota, where the Čierný and Biely Váh meet. Entering the village, we will also find the remains of the narrow-gauge railway, formerly running throughout the whole Čierný Váh valley.
Leaving Lehota behind, we go west, to Liptovský Hrádok (castle enthusiasts should visit the ruins of the castle here), formerly an important city in the region. Behind Hrádok, we ride on a short (2 km), but a bit unpleasant national road 18, from which we run away to the Podtureň village. Here, crossing the suspension bridge, we reach an intriguing town Liptovský Ján.
This sleepy town is just a shadow of what it used to be - a health resort, well-known and popular among the gentry. A dozen castles and palaces are the reminiscences of the former glory, even though some of them are almost unrecognizable now. They also remind us about the Szentiványi family, who held power over these grounds. Close above the old church, we will find a small thermal bath, where you can give your tired feet some rest, free of charge.
Later, after passing Liptovský Ján, we enter the technical stretch, leading us on picturesque dirt roads all the way to Závažná Poruba, from where we’re close to Okolične, currently a neighbourhood of Liptovský Mikuláš. 
In Okolične, we will find a unique, precious 15th-century Gothic Franciscan monastery, with Peter of Alcántara’s Church. If it’s open, we recommend taking a peek inside (nowadays, it’s under restoration).
Going further, leaving Okolične, we enter a comfortable bicycle path along the river banks, and along the Váh river, we reach the centre of the old Liptovský Mikuláš. It’s an important city for the Slovakians; this is where, in the mid-19th century, Slovakians demanded their rights as a nation.