The cycling season has started

Sunny weather not only awakens nature, but also our better selves. Someone takes the children on a trip, another dusts the motorcycle in the garage, and a large group of sports lovers goes for a bike ride.

Despite the mountainous terrain, the Slovak Republic has literally become a cycling superpower especially after the covid pandemic. As stated by the web portal cyklotrasa.oma.sk, there are a total of 1,765 cycle routes in Slovakia, with a total length of up to 20,000 km. According to Wikipedia, up to forty percent of Slovaks cycle regularly, which is similar to the Czech Republic. It is surprising that the Slovaks also surpassed the Netherlands in cycling. Denmark and Hungary can boast of higher numbers. Cities and regions try to make their movement as pleasant as possible for cyclists. They are constantly opening cycle paths, attractions and facilities designed specifically for cyclists.

What not to forget when traveling by bike?

Every trip, especially with the family, should be planned in detail in advance. Pack everything you need, think about enough liquids and suitable foods, such as protein or muesli bars, dextrose or favorite cookies. Equally important is the technical equipment, which is dominated by the tire inflation device.

The Orava SMART air pump with a built-in battery can inflate not only bicycle tires, but also motorcycle or car tires very quickly and without human effort, and it does not hesitate even when inflating balls and smaller inflatable mattresses. Careful balancing of inflated tires is guarded by a clear and sufficiently large LCD display with digital tire pressure detection.

A particularly useful addition from Orava's portfolio is the 4-in-1 multifunctional mobile phone holder with light and power bank. In this way, you get not only a front charging light, but also an invaluable charger for small but irreplaceable electronic devices in nature. The device will also serve as a phone holder and an electric horn. Thanks to the powerful front light with a brightness of 550 lumens, you can see up to a distance of two hundred meters. The device works in three light modes - as strong light, low light and warning flash. You can safely attach a mobile phone with a width of 5.8 to 9 centimeters to it, which will be charged while driving thanks to the power bank function, with a voltage of five volts and a current of one ampere. You will only remember the good old bicycle dynamo nostalgically. You will also appreciate the electric horn on the device, which can warn your surroundings with five different sounds with a power of 130 decibels.

Where can you go on a trip?

We bring you some tips for cycling trips for families with children and for "cycling enthusiasts".

From Bratislava to Vienna

Did you know that Bratislava and Vienna are the two closest capital cities in Europe? They are connected by a cycle path, which is part of the international cycle path EuroVelo 6, connecting the Atlantic with the Black Sea. The route from Bratislava to Vienna and back is 134 km long, but it is flat, so it's easy to pedal. However, watch out for the wind, it can be treacherous on the plain. Riding a bike when it's blowing in your face is really no pleasure, so choose a day when there will be no wind for your trip. Just beyond the border, the picturesque town of Hainburg with a ruined castle awaits you. During the journey, you can take a break at one of the manors - in the village of Eckartsau with a nice park or in the village of Orth an der Donau with the center of the national park, where there is also the Orth museum with attractions, for example a view below the surface of the pond. The village of Schönau is also an attractive place to relax, where you can refresh yourself with food and beer at the buffet. You go to Vienna along the embankment, along the picturesque arms of the Danube. The Donauinsel is a favorite excursion destination of the Viennese, which you can also reach via one of the bridges you pass. In Vienna, under the Reichsbrücke, you have a choice - either turn around and go back to Bratislava (which would be a shame), or follow the well-marked cycle routes to the center of Vienna to reward yourself with Viennese coffee and a Sacher cake. The fittest should not miss the magical views from the hills above Vienna, for example from the Leopoldsberg. The picturesque town of Klostenneuburg with its magnificent 900-year-old abbey, which is only 13 km from Vienna, is definitely worth a visit.

Behind the secret of the old railway

The cycle route through the Pokutská dolina in the Vtáčnik mountains is located near the village of Kľak near Žarnovice in the Banskobystricky region. It copies the path of the former forest railway, it is asphalt and with a length of less than 14 km even children can handle it. As for difficulty, it is a moderately difficult route with an elevation gain of 631 meters. At the beginning of the route, there is Ranch Blanc, where you can have refreshments, or arrange in advance to go horseback riding or trout fishing in the breeding pond, from which the ranch restaurant will be happy to prepare a fish delicacy for you. Further down the road, you will come across the Kollárová cottage with a capacity of up to 100 places, so you can go on bike trips along the Kľakovské cycle routes (of which there are quite a few) not only with your family, but also with a larger group of friends. At the Kollárová cottage, you can have accommodation and your own place from where you will go on trips. On the Pokutská dolina cycle route, you will pass by the protected area of Ivanov salaš, Partizánská cháta and Pokutská vodópád. The most photogenic place of the entire route is the so-called Pokutský most - a remnant of the former forest railway. Along with the attractions along the way, your children will also appreciate this trip on two wheels.

Long live the Slovak paradise - cycle route Voniarky – Dobšinská ice cave – Dobšiná – Roštár

The most suitable option for weekend cyclists is road number 5702, 48 km long, with an elevation gain of 590 m. It belongs to the less demanding ones in Slovak Paradise. It is home to the Dobšinská ice cave, which belongs to the UNESCO Natural Heritage List, where it is definitely worth checking out and seeing this underground beauty up close. The route passes through the enchanting Stratenský canyon and the village of Stratená in the picturesque valley of the Hnilec river, which is lined with limestone ledges. Breathtaking (in the sense of charming, but also relatively difficult to climb) is the Dobšinský hill with beautiful panoramic views of a large part of the Slovak Ore Mountains and part of the Slovak Paradise. The route also passes through the village of Brdárka with preserved folk architecture and an Evangelical Renaissance-Baroque church from the 17th century. The entire cycle route ends in the village of Roštár, where the Evangelical church from the 13th century is worth seeing.

Slovak karst for demanding people

If you think this route is too short and easy, you can go on the Slovak Karst Cycle Highway (route number 029), 140 km long, with medium difficulty. This circuit, which you can plan for several days, will take you through the most beautiful things you can see in the Slovak Karst and its foothills. The Domica caves of the Slovak Karst, the Gombasecká ice cave and the Silická ľadnica await you on the route. When exploring caves, you will appreciate another Orava brand product, a practical carabiner with LED light.

The six LED lights ensure perfect visibility even in the deepest underground and offer three light modes - strong light, weak light and warning flashing. A pair of CR2032 flat batteries take care of the power supply. And when you get thirsty on the cycle paths, the carabiner can also serve as a bottle opener. Natural beauties such as Kečovské skrapy, Zádielska tiesňava, Hájska dolina and Hrhovské ponds await you on the Slovak Karst Cycle Route. You should definitely not miss the Turnian castle, the Krásna hórka castle, the water castle in Štítnik or the manor with a park in Betliari. Lovers of sacred architecture will be delighted by the Gothic churches in Plešivce and Štítnik, the small church in the village of Lúčka and the cathedral in Rožňava.



We believe that one of the cycle routes appealed to you. Whichever one you choose, don't forget to pack some handy helpers from the Slovak brand Orava