Once part of the great Czechoslovakia, this independent country is a bit of a snow-covered child in Europe. What do you want, with all the bike violence in the immediate vicinity alone? Austria, Switzerland And for example, the Czech Republic. Yet Slovakia is also a wonderful cycling destination. The Tour de Slovaquie, or the Tour of Slovakia that is being shown these days, really got us in the mood! What wonderful! In this article, a few highlights. Who knows, your next stop might be Bratislava, Zilina or Trencin in Slovakia! Go cycling in Slovakia and enjoy it!
Ta-ta-ta-tatra!
It won't surprise you, but here's a general note: Slovakia is anything but flat. On the north side, the Tatra Mountains are a kind of natural border with neighboring Poland. You won't find dizzying climbs here, but you can still enjoy cycling magnificently. The Tatra Mountains are quite diverse and, for example, a ride to the Sliezsky Dom will quickly delight everyone. The small dam that lights up the area there provides a beautiful backdrop to the Velicke Pleso behind it!
The best climb in this region is the one to Kralova Hola. After climbing over 1000 meters in altitude for 11.6 kilometers, you reach the top at almost 2000 meters altitude. That is really 9% average, but the end point is definitely worth mentioning.
National parks
In central Slovakia you can also find some beautiful scenery. There it is also very nice to cycle on the gravel bike. Among other places in the national parks of the Low Tatras (Nizke Tatry) and Vel’ka Fatra it is a great place to be. You can encounter incredibly steep climbs here, with long stretches of up to 20% plus meters! In terms of altitude you stay around 1300-1400 meters at most, which is fine, even if you just want to get a few meters in the early spring. The climb to the top of the Borisov, at about 1400 meters, is the last stretch that is slightly unpaved, but also rocky. There is a section here where you probably have to get off the bike for a while. According to the most accurate measurements, it could be above 30%. That’s nonsense. There’s also a nice steep path near Ftaci, but it’s not quite as short.
A little north of the Danube you will also find the beautiful parks mentioned above next to them. Muranska Planina National Park. Beautiful limestone rock formations adorn the road here. And you’ll see for yourself if you see the image below. Wouldn’t you just want to go cycling in Slovakia? Or wouldn’t you?
Go West
Further west you will also find some beautiful hilly sections. The climbs around Zliechov, for example, are very beautiful. Near there you will also find the extremely steep climb of Kamenné Vrata, where the percentages over 5 kilometers can shoot up towards 15 or even 20%. It is truly breathtaking there.
Danube
Further south, you can also take the route along the Danube again. This route, which is especially popular with bike trekking and other cycling tourists, is also worth a visit for the racer or gravel biker. The first part, from Vac in Hungary to Esztergom, is the most interesting. Here you have the river almost continuously on your side and you have a view of beautiful castles and white beaches. In Esztergom you will find the largest church in the country, the Esztergom Basilica. Interesting fact: in the Middle Ages this city was the capital of Hungary for three centuries.
Gravel paradise
Cyclists will probably still complain about roads that aren’t completely paved, but that’s of course a great thing for the gravel rider. In the national parks and in the high Tatras you can also ride the gravel bike fantastically well. Where the climb for the race cyclist ends, you can still climb your gravel bike to the top, which is otherwise only accessible to hikers and mountain bikers.
Sold
Slowakia is, in our opinion, really underrated, just like so many countries east of the Germany-Austria-Italy border. The costs for accommodation are certainly friendly, the route to get there is just as easy as that to Tuscany and the views are perhaps even more beautiful. Additionally, it’s off the beaten track, so there are not many tourists. Just better for the experience.
Would you like to learn more about traveling to Slovakia? Then take a look at the website of the Slovakian Tourism Office
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.