Zálesie: A Water Landscape on the Malý Dunaj

Zálesie combines a distinctive river landscape with water-based activities, cycle paths and small cultural attractions. The Malý Dunaj forms a large meander that surrounds Zálesie from the northwest to the northeast. As a result, different ways of exploring the area come together here: you can experience the river on a rafting trip, walk along the riverbank, head to a viewing point or include Zálesie in a longer cycling tour between Bratislava and Senec.

Rafting and Boats on the Malý Dunaj

Lodenica Zálesie organizes rafting trips for schools, companies and the general public. The two-hour Malý okruh Zálesie trip starts and ends in Zálesie, making it a clearly defined river experience. Lodenica also offers a rafting trip to the Gešajovské mlyny. If you would like to get to know the river without taking a guided trip, Lodenica also offers canoes, boats and catamarans.

The narrow riverside area of Korzo Zálesie was used for a long time for rafting participants to get in and out of the boats. Near Zálesie, the Malý Dunaj is considered a revitalized river with abundant birdlife and fish. This makes the river more than just a transport route: it is a defining part of the landscape that you can experience through a variety of activities.

Korzo, Maják and Historic Watermills

Korzo Zálesie includes a natural amphitheater for smaller cultural activities overlooking the water. The Korzo also provides space for walks in nature and for observing fauna and flora. Maják is located on the bank of the Malý Dunaj near Záleská lodenica. It serves as a viewing tower and as a point along a hiking route and a cycling route. From its summit, there is an unobstructed three-kilometer view of the river horizon.

The Gešajovské mlyny are located directly in the vicinity of Maják and Korzo. They are replicas of historic watermills displayed in the Malý Dunaj near Zálesie, beside Maják and Korzo. The Gešajovské mlyny project was completed on November 17, 2012; replicas of mills were placed in the Malý Dunaj as part of the project. Since the end of 2012, an informative educational trail about water wheels has also been accessible at the Gešajovské mlyny.

Culture and Cycling Route

A small cultural landmark in the village is the Chapel of the Holy Trinity. It was built in 1932 and is a single-nave space with a segmental-ended presbytery. A statue of Saint Joseph stands in the niche above the main entrance. Zálesie was initially named Gešajov in honor of a benefactor.

For cyclists, the Okolo Korza Zálesie až k Slnečným jazerám route connects several places. It runs from Bratislava via Vrakuňa, Zelená voda, Zálesie, Ivanka pri Dunaji, Bernolákovo, Nová Dedinka and Tureň to Senec. The tour through Zálesie is 40 kilometers long, has 149 meters of elevation gain, consists of 90 percent asphalt and 10 percent off-road sections, and takes 2 to 3 hours with a break in Zálesie. The tour is considered suitable for less experienced cyclists and families with children. To compare other destinations, you can also view Malinovo, Senec, Hamuliakovo, Bernolákovo, Ivanka Pri Dunaji, Chorvátsky Grob, Tomášov or Most pri Bratislave.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Senec.