Guide to the village of Lúčky and Lúčky Spa: what to see, where to go, and tips for your stay in Liptov
Guide to the village of Lúčky and Lúčky Spa: what to see, where to go, and tips for your stay in Liptov
The village of Lúčky has been known for its thermal springs for more than 300 years. This water refreshes body and soul, helping to restore health and strength. The village is also home to another unique attraction: the 12-metre-high Lúčanský Waterfall, which visitors can admire right in the centre of Lúčky. You might think that would be the full list of local sights, but far from it.
This small village in the heart of Liptov offers visitors a surprisingly rich choice of places to discover, which you can explore all year round with a local guide. During the summer months, the tour is led in traditional Lúčky folk costume and, as well as sharing plenty of interesting information, your guide will also treat you to Liptov folk songs.
Guided tours
Learn something new and discover the beauty of the spa village of Lúčky. Join a tour with a local guide in folk costume, accompanied by Liptov folk songs.
The guided tours offer three routes:
1. Lúčky Spa Route
Duration: 1,5 hour Length: 1 km
The tour takes in the history of the spa, its famous visitors, and the healing properties local people discovered in the mineral waters. You will explore the spa buildings, learn which are the oldest, and hear the stories behind them. You will also find out who owned the spa and how it changed over the centuries.
2. Lúčky Village Route
Duration: 1,5 hour Length: 1 km
This route takes you to Lúčanský Waterfall and introduces you to the history and major events of the village, including a visit to the birthplace of Tadeáš Salva. You will see the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and the memorial house in the village centre, find out how travertine is formed, and visit the Markuška folklore amphitheatre and the travertine plateau, where an ancient hillfort once stood.
3. Combined Route
Duration: 2 hour Length: 2,5 km
This route brings together the two routes above.
On the tours of Lúčky Spa and the village of Lúčky, you will also discover that:
- over the centuries, the local thermal springs created layers of travertine 40–50 metres thick
- the spa was visited in 1726 by the well-known polymath Matej Bel, who was the first to mention its healing properties in his book
- in the 18th century, the spa had three types of pools: one for the gentry, one for peasants, and one for Jewish visitors
- in 1840, King Frederick Augustus II of Saxony visited the spa
- Michal Miloslav Hodža, a leading figure of the Slovak National Revival, took treatment here in 1853
- Lúčanský Waterfall is one of only five waterfalls in Slovakia to hold the title of National Natural Monument
- the well-known composer Tadeáš Salva was born in Lúčky
- from 1920, the village and the spa had their own lighting, generated by a small hydroelectric power plant
- the famous Slovak singer and actor František Krištof Veselý sang at the spa
- the popular poet Andrej Plávka, who came from nearby Liptovská Sielnica, was fond of visiting the spa and writing there
- for more than 800 years, the people of Lúčky made their living as raftsmen, floating timber down the River Váh as far as Komárno
- near the spa there is a travertine plateau where a hillfort stood 5,000 years ago
- Choč National Nature Reserve is part of the NATURA 2000 network, one of 473 sites of Community importance
To find out more about this fascinating place, simply sign up at the reception of the Choč Spa Hotel. Tours take place every Thursday at 3.30 pm, or you can arrange an individual date and time by email or telephone:
Rounding off with a few tips from VisitLiptov
Take a short walk along the Artists’ Trail!
Running behind the Choč Spa Hotel, the trail is dedicated to well-known artists associated with Lúčky. The gazebo commemorates Milan Michal Harminc, the renowned architect who designed Dependance Liptov, while the artistic benches honour Tadeáš Salva, the well-known composer and Lúčky native, and Jožko Piťo, one of Slovakia’s best-known lead folk violinists, who regularly played in Lúčky and contributed to the development of Slovak folk music.
The trail is a network of forest paths forming two basic circuits:
- Route A – 1 310 m
- Route B – 1 350 m
Both circuits can be extended by a further 600 metres by joining a pleasant forest path leading to Jožko Piťo’s bench and the local waterworks. In addition to starting point 1, the individual circuits can also be joined at points 4, 7, and 10.
As well as taking a guided tour, you can also visit other attractions in the area.
The Belá River in Liptov: rafting, stunning nature and what to see
The Belá River in Liptov: rafting, stunning nature and what to see
There are rivers that flow calmly and predictably throughout the year. And then there is the Belá. For most of the year it appears unremarkable – and then, for a few weeks, it comes to life and reveals its true character.
Each spring, snow begins to melt in the Tatras. The mountains gradually release water into the valleys and the Belá changes. From a calm flow, it becomes a wild mountain river that finds its own course, shifts gravel, changes its banks and creates entirely new channels. It is never the same as the year before. And it will never be the same next year.
The last anastomosing river in the Carpathians
It is this unpredictability that makes the Belá exceptional. It is the last anastomosing river in the Carpathians – one that does not have a single fixed channel. The river here is not regulated. It follows its own course.
On its banks grows German tamarisk, a rare shrub that depends on these chaotic conditions. In its waters live Danube salmon, and on the gravel deposits it is possible to find traces of otters.The Belá is not only a river. It is one of the most valuable natural ecosystems in Central Europe.
If you are interested in why the Belá is so distinctive, you can read a more detailed account of the river and its characteristics.
But the Belá is not something simply to understand. It is something to experience.
When the water level rises and the flow reaches suitable conditions, a short period begins that rafters wait for all year. The season lasts only a few weeks, most often in April and May, before the river becomes calm again.
During this time, the Belá becomes one of the most beautiful rafting rivers in Slovakia.Cold Tatra water, waves between boulders, a fast current and views of Kriváň create an experience that bears no comparison with artificial channels.
It is not only about adrenaline. It is about contact with an unregulated natural environment. It is about being in a place that changes from day to day.
A river suited to fly fishing
Fly fishing is a distinctive form of fishing that combines technique, patience and a feel for nature.It uses a light artificial fly that imitates insects on or below the surface, instead of heavy bait. The key is accurate casting and natural presentation of the fly so that it deceives the fish.
Fly fishing involves concentration, observation of the water and reading fish behaviour. The angler takes note of the currents, depth and movement of insects, which makes this technique almost meditative.
For many, fly fishing is more than a hobby – it is a way to slow down, step away from everyday life and be fully present in the moment.
A tradition dating back to 1949
The Belá also has a notable history. It was here, at the confluence of the Belá and the Váh, that the first water slalom race in Slovakia took place in 1949. From this tradition later developed a generation of athletes who brought Olympic medals to Slovakia.
Today, the Belá is a place where nature, history, and experience meet.
When and how to experience the Belá
If you want to know when the river is navigable, a practical guide to rafting on the Belá River is available.
The Belá is not an attraction to tick off a list. It is a river you wait for. And when its time comes, it is worth being there.
Liptov’s scenic swings: places you’ll love
Liptov’s scenic swings: places you’ll love
Liptov is about much more than mountains, thermal springs and walking. In recent years, a number of scenic swings have sprung up across the region, combining easy walks with simple pleasures and stunning views. Set in beautiful natural surroundings, they make a wonderful destination for a relaxed outing, and are enjoyed just as much by adults as by children.
Here is a selection of some of the most interesting swings in Liptov:
If you are looking for a peaceful spot with some of the finest views in Liptov, the swing at Chalúpkovo is well worth a visit. It sits directly above the Chalúpkovo resort, near the Zemianska kúria restaurant, with lovely views over the surrounding landscape. Parking is free at the resort, and the swing is just a few minutes’ walk along a field path.
You can also combine your outing to the swing with a visit to the Gothic Church of All Saints in Ludrová or the paper-making museum nearby.
A giant swing has recently appeared above the village of Prosiek, near Liptovská Sielnica, on a hillside above the Villa Betula children’s area. It can be reached via an easy uphill walk from the gazebo at the resort, or from the village of Prosiek itself. Alternatively, park at the car park by Road 18. This is an ideal destination for a short 15-minute walk, and the experience of swinging out over the hillside is unforgettable.
Set within the Villa Betula complex, which is ideal for families with children, this swing nestles among the treetops and is sure to delight visitors of all ages. Please note that it is accessible only to visitors of Babyland at Villa Betula, and admission to the complex is required.
This swing sits right on the edge of Liptovská Mara in Sielnica Bay, within the grounds of Gréta Resort. On the way, be sure to visit the open-air museum of the villages submerged beneath Liptovská Mara, with several information boards located within the resort grounds. Entry to the museum is free, and parking is available directly in front of Koliba Grétka.
TIP: Traditional Liptov cuisine – with a discount!
The restaurant serves excellent food made from locally sourced ingredients.Liptov Region Card holders receive a 10% discount on food and drinks from the menu.
For truly beautiful views over Liptovská Mara and the surrounding hills, the swing on the hill above Liptovský Trnovec is not to be missed. It is about a 15–20 minute walk from the cemetery in Liptovský Trnovec, where you can park. A bench and table make it a pleasant spot to rest along the way.
There is also a swing in Liptovský Mikuláš, above the town’s Stošice district, where – alongside the views – you can breathe in the scent of pine trees and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Reaching this swing involves a steeper climb from Komjatná via Hrdošová skala (Hrdoš Rock), so expect to work up a bit of a sweat, but the reward is a breathtaking view and a genuine adrenaline thrill. There is a fire pit with seating, so bring sausages or bacon to cook over the fire and make a real outing of it.
The route follows the green hiking trail and takes approximately one hour, heading along the ridge separating Komjatná from Žaškov towards a transmitter, through woodland and a clearing below Hrdoš, where hunting lookout towers can be found. From there, leave the marked trail and continue along a forest path on the opposite side of the lookout towers.
A beautiful swing sits above the village of Valaská Dubová. Park on the side dirt road used by agricultural vehicles and make your way across a field and uphill to reach it. There is a steeper section just before the top, but benches await for a well-earned rest. Parking is also available at the cemetery for a fee. The walk takes around 30 minutes, and the final stretch can be slippery in wet weather.
This lovely swing sits along the route to Likava Castle, at the edge of the forest. The path is not marked, but there are benches and a fire pit where you can enjoy the outdoors, and the swing itself offers fine views over Ružomberok, the Malá Fatra and the Low Tatras.
To reach it, follow the road past the municipal office and the farm, cross the bridge over the motorway, continue along an old asphalt road to the cross at Žabov, then take the reinforced path towards Likava Castle. Allow about an hour.
In Liptovská Teplá, near Madočany, solitary pine trees stand in a meadow, and one of them holds a swing with sweeping views of the Low Tatras, part of the Choč Mountains and the Western Tatras. Park in Madočany and it is about a 30-minute walk: follow the path along a fence to the main road, cross over, and head uphill across the meadow to the solitary trees.
These swings exist thanks to the enthusiasm of local people, volunteers, and walking communities. They are not official attractions with regular upkeep, which makes how we treat them all the more important.
Please:
- do not damage the swings or their structures
- take your litter home
- respect nature and the quiet surroundings
These places are here for everyone. Treat them with care and they will go on bringing joy to everyone who comes after you.
