The Orava Region is situated in north-west Slovakia, near the border with Poland. The border point in Oravská Polhora municipality is the northernmost point of Slovakia. Orava offers countless possibilities to its visitors all year long including hiking, cycling, water sports, horsebackriding, hunting, agrotourism, museums, open-air museums, or skiing,...
And there is much more to see and do in Orava, in this rough but unique region...
Hiking, cycling, walks
The mountains surrounding Orava offer great possibilities for hiking, cycling or walks. The highest mountains of Orava include the West Tatras - Roháče, or Chočské Mountains, Small Fatra Mountains, or Oravské Beskydy Mountains with their highest mount - Babia hora.
Hiking in Juráňova Valley, to Jánošíkove diery, or through Prosiecka and Kvačianska Valleys are among the favourite trails.
Water sports and swimming
Oravská Water Reservoir offers a wide range of possibilities for water sports and swimming. It is a centre of yachting and water sports in Orava. You can rent a boat, water bikes, or try windsurfing, or you can take a cruise around Slanický Island of Art, where you can see the expositions of traditional folk art from the collections of the Oravská Gallery. The expositions are open to the public from May, 15 to September, 15.
Thermal water in Oravice, on the edge of West Tatras is believed to be healing.
Rafting on the river Orava
In addition to water sports in the Orava region, there are some nice possibilities for rafting, too. You can go rafting on the Orava River almost its entire lenght, except during drier weather. Or you can try rafting on the Oravica River, which springs from the West Tatras, or on the Zázrivka River, whose source begins in Oravská Magura, or you can partially try rafting on the Biela Orava.
Historical sights
Oravský Castle, this national cultural sight is one of the most beautiful as well as the most visited castles in Slovakia. It rises on the steep limestone rock above the Orava River, right above the municipality of Oravský Podzámok. The legend says, there once lived an old wealthy man, who had everything he could think of. The only thing he did not have, was his own castle. Thus he decided to have his own castle built. Since he was very old and knew he might perhaps not live to see the castle built, he made a deal with the devil... read more...
Opening hours:
Monday - Sunday
January, 2 - April, 10 10.00 a. m. - 3 p. m.
April, 11 - April, 27 CLOSED
April, 28 - May, 31 8.30 a. m. - 5 p. m.
June, 1 - June, 30 8.30 a. m. - 5.30 p. m.
July, 1 - August, 31 8.30 a. m. - 6 p. m.
Sept, 1 - Sept, 30 8.30 a. m. - 5 p. m.
Oct, 1 - Oct, 31 8.30 a. m. - 4 p. m.
Nov, 1 - Dec, 23 10.00 a. m. - 3 p. m.
Dec, 24 - Dec, 26 CLOSED
Dec, 27 - Dec, 30 10.00 a. m. - 3 p. m.
Dec, 31, 2012 - Jan, 1, 2013 CLOSED
You can experience the life of an Orava man, traditional folklore, crafts or habits in the Open-air Museum of Orava Village in Zuberec.
You can see some wooden-huts in the typical architectural style of Orava in the national landmark conservation area Bobrova raľa in Podbieľ, which is the largest preserved complex of folk architecture in Central Europe.
You can experience an unforgettable sight when you visit the wooden churches in Tvrdošín, Istebné and Leštiny.
More attractions
- Oravská forest railway with educational nature trail "Tanečník" in Oravská Lesná
- Františkova huta, former iron factory that used to process iron from Roháče
Tips for accommodation in Orava:
HOTEL IN ORAVA
GUESTHOUSE IN WEST TATRAS - Zverovka
Author: Veronika Shaughnessy
Source: ORAVA Turistický sprievodca, Informačné centrum Námestovo, oravainfo.sk
Photo: www.oravskemuzeum.sk
Photogallery:
