Liptov News – reports and interviews from Liptov region

Farma Východná

Farma Východná is a great tip for a trip with children, where you can take a look at the preparation of feed for cows and sheep, observe live how milk is milked, meet adult cows, as well as visit a calf nursery, where you can pet newly born calves

At the organic farm, you will also learn a lot of interesting information, such as: how many stomachs a cow has, who is the strongest person on the farm. You will experience the process of raising cows and sheep on the farm in an experiential way, you will learn more about the production and processing of milk, you will taste the freshest cheeses before they go to the shops, the brave ones will jump into the hay and you will meet the farm animals live!

ZooKontakt

ZOOKONTAKT near Tatralandia is not just an ordinary zoo or amusement park. Closeness to animals is combined here with attractions for children and interesting events for the whole family! You can get up close and really close to many animals. But where physical proximity is not possible for safety reasons, the animal caretakers will bring the animals as close as possible to you through interpretation.

In addition to the animals in the park, you will find many attractions for children. A water cannon, trampoline or merry-go-round will provide perfect adrenaline fun, while boats and a sandpit will provide the possibility of safe play for the little ones. The older ones will be delighted by the 18-hole mini golf course and the world of miniatures of 12 of the world’s most important buildings. In ZOOKONTAKT, even adults become children again for a while 😊

Farma Sidorovo

During the summer, Mini Farm Sidorovo is accessible to all children and adults. It is located near the top station of the Malinno Brda cable car. If you go for a walk in the charming nature of Veľká Fatra, you will find it varied by the animals you will find here – rabbits, chickens and sheep. In the touch zone, children can pet and feed goats and sheep. Refresh yourself and fill your empty bellies in the buffet, where you will find something small to eat and small souvenirs. There is no charge to enter the farm.

Villa Betula

Villa Betula resort offers a beautiful environment for children. Paradise for children in Liptov, where one day will not be enough for you. In the area you will find an animal farm, which is an unforgettable experience for many. Goats, ducks, bunnies, peacocks, llamas, ponies and many others that you can feed, you can ride on ponies. Next to the animal farm, children will definitely not miss the great outdoor playground. They will jump on large trampolines, have fun in the large sand playground, on slides, climbing frames, play maxi chess or refresh themselves in the fountain paradise.

Entrance to the outdoor BABYLAND playground, including the animal farm, is charged to the public according to the current price list. Guests staying at the resort are included in the price of their stay.If you have already purchased an entry to Babyland and bad weather “drives” you outside, you can use the indoor playground with climbing frames, slides, balls and a cafe for parents. Better reserve more time to visit this resort 😊

Čutkovo – Koliba u pastiera

Another magical place for relaxation, where you can have a unique contact with nature and animals, is the Čutkovská dolina and the Koliby u dobrého pastiera area. In addition to excellent traditional cuisine, beautiful nature in a quiet and peaceful place for relaxation, children can enjoy themselves in the farmyard. Both children and adults can enjoy themselves here. In Gazdovské dvor you will discover a peaceful lake with trout, which usually end up on the guests’ plates, you will see piglets romp around in the barn, you can feed the bunnies, you will see sheep grazing in the meadow. Adults can enjoy the peace of nature or an excellent beer in a traditional brewery. 😊

Be sure to visit Obrov with your children. You will discover the story of the giant Čutka, who, according to legend, is the last living giant of the Carpathian type in the world. You will find several attractions here, such as oversized teeth, trampolines, a ropeway and a large Čutka bed or cradle, in which he was put to sleep when he was a child. You pay the entrance fee to the amusement park according to the current price list and you pay directly on the spot with special coins.

Ranč ZOO Kráľova Lehota

You can escape from city life directly to the animals in beautiful nature at the ZOO Ranch in Kráľová Lehota. Here you can experience the animals as they really live in the yard, as the rooster wakes people up in the morning. Silence reigns here, broken only by birdsong and the rustling of leaves in the wind. In the middle of green meadows and dense forests, time seemed to slow down. You will be welcomed at the ranch by two beautiful dogs – Slovak mutts, but there are also ostriches, peacocks, pheasants, geese, ducks, and turkeys. In the cafe on the ranch you can buy food for the animals, thereby contributing to the operation of this mini zoo and offering the animals something to eat. You will find boxes for voluntary entrance fees at the individual aviaries and in the area near the piglets.

Liptov is perfect for families with children and anyone who likes animals and wants to learn more about them. In addition to the above tips, you will also learn about animals during any educational trail. Information boards located in nature tell a lot of information and stories about what animals in Liptov live in the forest, water, meadows and fields.

It is the largest natural museum under the Tatras. Its history is closely connected with the construction of the Liptovská Mara aqueduct. Here you will find copies of original buildings with numerous original elements from several Liptov villages, mostly from the area flooded by the water dam. You can easily move from the present to the turn of the 19th and the first third of the 20th century and get to know the life of different social strata of Liptov’s population…

There are also domestic animals, especially sheep, which have belonged to Liptov for centuries.

At the entrance to the museum, you can orient yourself thanks to the clear map of the open-air museum, and you will find that history is not the only thing that will interest you here. The opening hours of the open-air museum change according to the season, so we recommend that you always check them on the official website of the open-air museum. On this page, you can also buy tickets to the open-air museum, but also to the local attraction – a ride on a historic train. It will interest children, but also those born earlier. The area is really huge, so if the train is an attraction for you, it will take you about 15 minutes from the ticket office, and even more to the depot. You can also see other older trains that are part of the exhibition.

In the open-air museum, they used the natural location to the maximum and you will also find an educational trail with a rest area. The path is even intended for people with reduced ability to see or hear. Here, the guiding stones create a sound when touched by the blind stick and, thanks to it, guide along the entire route.The Tatra nature is breathtaking and the nature trail offers much-needed exercise in the fresh air and even the opportunity to get to know it through the local bear den.Visitors playfully get to know birds of prey, Tatra mammals, insects and reptiles. Special 3D images of various animal species allow you to recognize individual individuals interactively, through the touch of your fingers. Thanks to the 3D relief of the Tatras, cut into the trunk of a tree, even the blind can recognize the Slovak high mountains.

All summer long, you can hop on the cable car to Chopok (2,024 m above sea level) in the Low Tatras. Board at Biela Púť station and let the chair lift and cable car take you smoothly up to the Rotunda beneath Chopok. You can easily take a buggy with you, too! A word of warning – if you’re set on reaching the top of Chopok, you might want to wait until the kids are old enough to handle the climb. Bigger children can comfortably manage the moderate hiking along the ridge of the Low Tatras to the highest peak Ďumbier (2,045.9 m above sea level). Alternatively, take the stone path on the opposite side towards Dereše (2,003.5 m above sea level), from where you can enjoy great views of both Liptov and Horehronie.

On the way, don’t forget to stop off at Priehyba, where, in the summer, you’ll find a rare species of Wallachian sheep on the highest traditional mountainside sheep farm in Slovakia. This is an indigenous breed that has historically been bred here because it is the only sheep that can graze in the difficult mountainous terrain. As with any good sheep farm, you’ll also find a shepherd and a number of dogs on hand to keep watch over the sheep. Priehyba is a great place for children to have fun and playfully explore what life on a mountainside sheep farm was like. They can pick up a Wally the Sheep’s Travel Journal at the information centre or Funibar. If they do the tasks and complete the form they will get a prize. New for summer 2024 is a ball run that will appeal to all ages. Simply purchase a ball from Funibar, place it at the top of the wooden track and watch it complete the obstacle course. You then get to keep the ball as a souvenir. If the kids still haven’t had enough, you can let them loose on attractions such as tubing, bungee trampolines, an electric train and mini cars next to the information centre at Biela Púť.

That’s by no means all the family fun that Demänovská Valley has to offer. For a lovely stroll, don’t miss Vrbické pleso, a serene mountain lake with a surrounding trail. There are benches, a playground, and a spot to feed the ducks. You can also pop by Mikulášská chata, which boasts a fantastic playground and great food. The lake trail is also accessible with a sturdy buggy.

For amazing views in Demänovská Valley, head to Bencúrova veža, a wooden observation tower at Ostredok. Further along the trail, you’ll find a symbolic cemetery dedicated to the victims of mountain accidents in the Low Tatras.

From Biela Púť to Björnson Chalet, explore Lutonský Promenade – an educational trail that delves into the history of tourism and the local ski resort. This is a short, easy walk with engaging stops where kids can learn new and interesting things. The valley is also home to the Demänovka River, the inspiration behind the Story of Water trail. This trail, starting at the valley entrance and following the course of the river, is designed for families. It features several stops and information boards where they can learn interesting facts about water and why it is so important.

The Story of Water trails also guides you to the Demänovská Ice Cave and Demänovská Cave of Liberty. The latter is famed for its stunning stalactite formations, ranking it among Europe’s most beautiful caves. Demänovská Valley itself is renowned for its extensive cave system. Local legend has it that a dragon named Damián once lived here. Visiting the caves is a perfect rainy-day activity or a cool-down option on a hot day. 😉

For active kids, Tarzánia , in Záhradky, is a must-visit. This is a rope park filled with tree-top obstacles. While it’s geared towards older kids, there’s also a special circuit for younger adventurers (under 150 cm).

At the entrance to Demänovská Valley, near Pavčina Lehota, you’ll find Žiarce Fun Park. Hop on a toboggan with the kids for an exhilarating ride on Slovakia’s steepest toboggan run. There are also quad bikes, a giant swing, a kids’ fun zone, and other attractions. A short walk away along the dirt road over the fields, you’ll find another observation tower offering stunning views of Liptov.

On your way into Demänovská Valley, you can’t miss Demänová Resort, a sprawling entertainment and accommodation complex. It’s tailored to families and features activities such as an animation programme during the day, various sports for all ages, a 3D maze, a mini zipline, a climbing wall, and extra big trampolines. The resort also has a bike park with nearly 4.5 km of trails overlooking Liptov (bike rentals are available).

Although Demänovská Valley doesn’t offer official child-friendly cycling routes due to its mountainous terrain, you can explore the beauty of Liptov by bike in the nearby Liptovský Mikuláš area, where bicycle and e-bike rental shops are plentiful.

No family holiday in Liptov is complete without a splash, and Demänovská Valley delivers even on that front. Wellness Euphoria at the Hotel SOREA SNP offers fantastic views of the Biela Púť slope, as does the wellness centre at Strachan Family Jasná Hotel, reachable by car from the Lúčky area. Many larger hotels in the valley offer wellness facilities as part of guests’ stay. Whether you choose a hotel, guesthouse, private accommodation, an apartment, or Bystrina campsite at the valley’s entrance, you’ll find the perfect place to unwind.

With such a fantastic range of activities in Demänovská Valley, your holiday is bound to be memorable. With so much to experience, you’re sure to enjoy the perfect family holiday in the countryside, where boredom is simply not on the agenda!