Demänovská valley
The entrance to the Demänovská valley, today the most visited valley of the Low Tatras, is only 8 kilometres away from the Liptovský Mikuláš town. The valley is a starting point for many hiking trails leading to the peaks of the second highest mountain range in Slovakia. One of the peaks, the Chopok peak, is reachable by a cable car system. Another superlative of this area is the famous Jasná ski resort, which has up to 50 kilometres of perfectly groomed ski runs. One of many nature's beauty spots of the area is the Vrbické pleso mountain lake. Unexpected beauty can also be found beneath the surface as the valley hides a cave system underground. At the mouth of the Demänovská valley lies Pavčina Lehota, a village with a well-known Žiarce ski centre, where you can take an adrenaline ride on a bobsleigh track built on one of the ski slopes from spring to autumn. There is also an educational trail starting from the ski centre. The Demänovská valley (as well as Pavčina Lehota) is accessible by car or bus.
1. Hiking
The Demänovská valley is a popular destination for a wide range of hiking trails that go through beautiful mountain environment and offer stunning views. Hikers can choose trails that best suit their physical abilities, ranging from hiking trails for families with children and beginners to truly challenging hiking trails. Check out our tips for hiking trips.
2. Cable cars to Chopok
Take a cable car to Mt. Chopok (2024 m.a.s.l.), the second highest peak of the Low Tatras mountain range, and enjoy the spectacular scenery. First, take a six-seater ski lift B2 at the Záhradky to the Priehyba station. From there a 24-seater Funitel cable car, one of the most technologically advanced cable cars in the world, will take you right below the very top of Mt. Chopok. One thing that will for sure get your attention at the top of Mt. Chopok is a large stainless steel statue of the Demián dragon, which, according to an old legend, protects the Demänovská valley. From here you can use two cable cars to get to the southern side of Mt. Chopok and then use the same cableways to come back to the Záhradky station where your trip started.
At the highest located sheep farm in Slovakia, Priehyba sheep farm during the summer season you can also look forward to seeing the rare breed of Wallachian sheep. Discover a new panoramic trail that combines education, entertainment and unforgettable views. Enjoy a summer full of experiences!
Operation of cableways Price list
GOPASS infoline, daily 8.00 - 18.00, Phone: +421 850 122 155 International phone.: +421 220 510 448
At the highest located sheep farm in Slovakia, Priehyba sheep farm during the summer season you can also look forward to seeing the rare breed of Wallachian sheep. Discover a new panoramic trail that combines education, entertainment and unforgettable views. Enjoy a summer full of experiences!
Client center Biela Púť, 032 51 Demänovská Dolina
Tel.: +421 907 88 66 44
Tel.: +421 907 88 66 44
Operation of cableways Price list
GOPASS infoline, daily 8.00 - 18.00, Phone: +421 850 122 155 International phone.: +421 220 510 448
Distance Liptovský Mikuláš » Cable cars to Chopok 17 km
3. World famous Jasná ski resort
Jasná Nízke Tatry, the biggest ski resort in Slovakia with great conditions for winter sports, offers lots of sports, fun as well as active leisure activities on both the northern and the southern side of Mt. Chopok. To get to the top of Mt. Chopok, you can either use state-of-the-art Funitel cable cars or 15-seater gondola lifts. The resort boasts 50 km of perfectly prepared pistes of varying difficulty that cater for all abilities from beginners and families with children through to advanced skiers and are also suitable for hosting world-class races. Adrenaline lovers can have a go at one of many free ride zones and in a great DCsnow park. The resort also offers night skiing on the illuminated Biela Púť piste.
Services provided by the ski resort: ski school and kindergarten, ski service, ski equipment rental, ski bus, aprés-ski bars, restaurants, parking, free ride zone, snowboarding park, snowrafting.
Client center Biela Púť, 032 51 Demänovská DolinaTel.: +421907 88 66 44
Operation of cableways Client centre Pricelist of cableways
GOPASS infoline, daily 8.00-18.00, Phone: +421 850 122 155 International phone.: +421 220 510 448
Distance Liptovský Mikuláš » Ski resort Jasná 16 km
4. Vrbické pleso mountain lake
The biggest natural mountain lake in the Low Tatras is of glacial origin and is located at an altitude of 1113 m.a.s.l. in the upper part of the valley. It will take you 5 minutes to get to Vrbické pleso from the parking lot at Biela Púť. The walk along its shore is pleasant and about 1 km long. There are information boards, a playground and benches along the route.
Distance Liptovský Mikuláš » Vrbické pleso mountain lake 16,5 km
5. Demänovský cave system
It was formed by the underground flow of the Demänovka river. Its length of 43 kilometres makes it the longest cave system in Slovakia. Its two parts are open to the public:
Demänovská Cave of Liberty
The extraordinary beauty of the stalagmites taking on a variety of forms and shapes and impressive karst lakes attract thousands of visitors every year. You can either do a standard circular tour where you walk for 1150 meters and climb 913 steps or a 100-minute tour that is 2150 meters long and has 1118 steps. The average temperature inside the cave ranges from 6°C to 7°C. There is a winding educational trail leading from the parking lot in front of the cave to the entrance to the cave. It only takes 10 to 15 minutes to walk it.
Demänovská Ice Cave
It once used to be called the Dragon's cave as the bones of a cave bear that were discovered here were believed to be the bones of a dragon. The tour first takes you through the area with sinter decoration and then leads through the area with ice filling. The tour is 650 meters long and it takes 45 minutes. The average temperature inside the cave ranges from 0,4°C to 3°C, so make sure you wear warm clothes when you visit the cave. The winding educational trail leading from the parking lot below the cave will take you to the entrance to the cave in about 20 minutes. There are information boards and two resting places along the route.
Demänovská Ice Cave, 032 51 Demänovská dolinaTel.: +421 44 554 81 70
Opening hours Price list
Distance Liptovský Mikuláš » Demänovská Ice Cave 9 km
Tip: Educational trail - Story of Water
If you wish to see both caves, you can walk a really interesting educational trail called the Story of Water, which connects them. The trail leads along the beautiful environment of the Demänovka river. There are educational boards and stops along the way providing visitors with information about the fascinating power of water that has, in the form of the Demänovka river, formed the whole valley.
Distance Liptovský Mikuláš » Story of Water educational trail 10 km
6. Pavčina Lehota: Žiarce bobsleigh track
Buckle yourself into a specially designed bobsleigh for either one or two people and enjoy a ride down the steepest alpine bobsleigh track in Slovakia. The track is 1000 meters in length, with an elevation gain of 120 meters and 16 curves and 6 jumps. The maximum speed reachable is 45 km/h. Children under the age of seven must be accompanied by an adult.
Žiarce bobsleigh track, Pavčina Lehota, 032 51 Demänovská Dolina
Tel.: +421 903 567 680
Opening hours: in case of rainless weather !
1.4. - 30.6. and 1.9. - 31.10: daily 10.00 - 16.00,
1.7. - 31.8.: daily 9.00 - 19.00
Price list
Distance Liptovský Mikuláš » Bobsleigh track Pavčina Lehota 9 km
7. Pavčina Lehota: Žiarce
Žiarce ski resort is located in Pavčina Lehota, a village lying at the foot of the Low Tatras and the entrance to the Demänovská valley. It is only 10 km away from the Liptovský Mikuláš town. The total length of the slopes is 1.28 km. The resort has four lifts and 5 downhill ski runs of varying difficulty, from beginner slopes to advanced, and caters for all levels of ability. The artificial snow-making facilities and its orientation to the north enable perfect snow conditions until spring. Cross-country skiers can enjoy 2 cross-country skiing trails with the total length of 7 km.
Services provided by the ski resort: ski school, ski equipment rental, snack bar, aprés-ski bars.
Žiarce - Pavčina LehotaTel.: +421 903 567 680
Opening hours: Mo – Su: 9.00 – 16.00
Pricelist of skipass
Distance Liptovský Mikuláš » Žiarce Pavčina Lehota 9 km
8. Pavčina Lehota: circular nature trail
Almost 10-kilometre long trail starts and finishes near the bobsleigh track, leading visitors through meadows and former pastures. Since the elevation gain is only 100 meters, the trail is suitable also for families with children and less fit tourists. There are 11 educational boards providing information about local fauna and flora and a lookout tower along the way. The trail is also suitable for cycling and it is used as a cross-country ski run in winter.
Distance Liptovský Mikuláš » circular natural trail Pavčina Lehota 9 km