SK, Oravska Lesna – Mountain Biking Around I

Our initial point was the town of Oravska Lesnáa/a> that boasts with its beautiful church of St Anna located in its center, and also with a beautiful forestry railroad, declared forestry nature trail, or roofed winter stadium unusual in even larger towns. In winter the village is a place where you can look for great skiing, snowboarding or cross-country, who are rich because of annual snow and weather conditions, which is Orava dobře známá, přicházejí na své.

From spring to autumn, in the surrounding forests and mountain ridges you encounter not only hikers and mushroom pickers, but also fans of mountain biking biking. So we did not hesitate and at a local rental store, which is discreetly hidden before the eyes of visitors in the car accessories shop in the town center, we rented two mountain bikes. It would probably be good to mention that even if you decide to rent a bike, certainly do it at least a day in advance. The owner is transports them from somewhere, so we had them about two hours to wait.

After breakfast we already were. We decided that we would use this time for a short walk. It is beautiful around Oravska Lesna. It was foggy until the morning thus forests smelled more. We just wandered about near hills and enjoyed nature.

When we got back to the rental, our bikes were ready. The owner was very helpful and advised us what to pay around and see which route is very challenging. We have not rebounded to the hotel where we were staying, where we gladly photocopied simple map of the surrounding area and we mounted our bikes. 

We marked several variants of bike trip that would depend on the weather and our stamina. Despite that I have been biking in mountain terrain for quite some while with my husband, I have to admit that the trail as was described by the receptionist, made bit anxious. Suddenly I wasn’t entirely sure if I am fit to surpass the elevation and to manage to finish the lengthy trail. He who is afraid should not visit scary places or do risky things! I forgot about my hesitation, looked at my husband as I am ready to do this trail, and in the deepest place of my soul I hoped that I wouldn’t disappoint myself. 

Za náš první mezicíl jsme si zvolili údolní stanici Oravské lesní železnice - stanici Tanečník. As we have learned, if the train is not completely full they would take you to the upper station Sedlo Beskyd even with your bike. This would help especially less experienced cyclists or families with children. However, at a local buffet we only replenished our stockpiles because this was the last place for us with refreshments, which we had mapped out the route, sat a bit, chat with the locals, once again check the stock because of water shortage by us could quite well kill off, and then bit into the first true "stoupáku". 

As he our bike trip continued, what we have seen and that we managed to come to the chapel at the top station of the cable car at a ski resort in Oravské Lesné, you can read in a week..

Text and phto: O. Maňáková