Easy hikes and walks around Liptovská Mara

The administrative, economic, cultural and tourist centre of the central Liptov region is the district town of LIPTOVSKÝ MIKULÁŠ. LIPTOVSKÝ MIKULÁŠ (32,500 inhabitants) is mostly located on the right bank of the Váh River in the middle of the Liptovská kotlina valley. Its location on the eastern bank of the Liptovská Mara reservoir and the nearby peaks of the Low Tatras, Western Tatras and the Chočské vrchy mountains have made it one of the most important tourist centres in Slovakia. HISTORY

Here in the center you can stroll and linger

The area around it is very nicely done up. There is a beautiful view of the lake and there are a bunch of newly installed benches to sit on. You can park you car here for free and the skanzen Havranok is walking distance away.

The pier goes end with a little bench and access to the lake. To the left, there are 3 picnic tables, two of them with a cover, and two fire pits. There is also a small beach there. When the water is low, there is a path to the small chapel seen in photo. If you want to go to the picnic area from the main road, do not go from the pier, go left of that, there is a small dirt path. The pier is completely enclosed, you need to climb over the fence to get there from the pier

Nice city with lots of bars and beautiful architecture. Ideal as a break on a bike tour.

See photo with opening times. No entry, but a donation is requested.

It is one the most important cities of the north of Slovakia. It lies in Liptov region - it is where the Slovak national conscience grew, in the cities of Ružomberok and Liptovský Mikuláš. There are several mountain ranges, such as the (High) Tatras, the Low Tatras, Velký Choč and the Liptov Lake close to the town. Some important sites, wooden churches and archeological sites are also nearby. The region is rich in thermal waters. The combination of all the mentioned make it one of the most frequently visited regions and cities in Slovakia. The name of the city came, as in the case of other local towns and villages, after a saint - Mikuláš in Santa Claus. The church was funded by a noble, Mikuláš Pongrácz, later a village, a town, finally a city grew, becoming the centre of local industry, authority and justice. Thanks to the water of River Váh, a tanning (leather) industry became the key factor in the development of Mikuláš. It was here where the Slovak protested against the strict Hungarian policy in the 19th century. There were several protests in Mikuláš at that time, the 1848 Demands of Slovak Nation are the most famous (unsuccessful), the same during the WW2 - it was one of the centres of the Slovak National Uprising (against Germans). Visiting Mikuláš: obviously the St Claus Church is the most important monument. Built in 13th century, it was expanded and modified many times, after 1940 reconstruction its original Gothic style was restored. Inside, you can see a main triptych altar from the 15th century, side altars from 15th and 16th centuries. Apart from the church, the area of Námestie Osloboditeľov is where you can find some 19th and early 20th century houses and monuments, a modern fountain and a monument to the liberators of Slovakia in the centre of the square. Also a beautiful ex-synagogue is close to the square - the Jews used to be a significant minority in the town. “You will go to Mikuláš (Santa Claus)” - a local Robin Hood - Juraj Jánošík wasn’t very happy to hear this phrase. This half-legendary person lived in the 17th / 18th century and became famous for robbing the noble and giving to the poor. At least this is what the 19th century legends say; in fact he was a robber, a criminal who ended his life being hung on a hook by the ribcage, in 1713, in Mikuláš. His legend grew during the romanticism in the 19th century. Going to Mikuláš meant for him going to be judged (and sentenced to death).