Habovka: Culture, Educational Trails and Mountain Landscapes

Habovka between Folk Culture and Mountain Landscapes

Habovka combines local history, vibrant folklore and marked trails with excursions into the Roháče landscape. For a trip to Slovakia, the village is particularly interesting if you would like to experience culture not only in individual buildings, but also through competitions, processions, educational trails and regional folk architecture. There are also cycling connections, a cross-country skiing trail and the described access to the Roháč Lakes.

Churches, Stations of the Cross and Regional Culture

The Church of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows is already the fourth church at this location. Construction of the present church building began in 1821. Another historic landmark is the Chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene, which was completed and consecrated in 1856.

The Stations of the Cross in Habovka line the path to the cemetery and consist of fourteen chapels. They were completed on 22 June and consecrated on 26 June. Their elements are hidden behind protective glass and illuminated from inside with energy-saving LED lamps. This gives the complex a design that differs significantly from an ordinary ensemble of wayside crosses.

Folk culture is also firmly rooted in the character of the village. Vidiečanova Habovka is an annual national folklore competition featuring musical folklore performed by children and adults, held in Habovka since 1976. The idea for homemade mini-tractors originated in Habovka in 2000 during the Habovský kardan competition; both participants and spectators are welcome.

The nearby Orava Open-Air Museum displays more than 50 folk architecture buildings. The buildings are assigned to several regional ensembles and are located at the foot of the Roháče. The museum thus complements the local churches and events with a broader view of regional architecture and everyday culture.

Educational Trails, OSLY and Cycling Connections

The Cestami minulosti educational trail is 4.22 kilometres long and has seven signposted stations. It connects seven sites in Habovka and two sites in Hustopeče. With the exception of the branches leading to stations 1 and 7, the educational trail follows paved paths and is suitable for walking and cycling tours.

Another option is the OSLY leisure zone. It includes, among other things, cascades, the Rosary Staircase, and the designated areas Na vstupe, V srdci, Slza and Nádej. The leisure zone can be accessed from Habovka-Stodoliska in the Kubáňovka area.

Cyclists will find free bicycle service facilities along the route. They can use them at any time to inflate tyres, tighten screws, adjust brakes and repair punctures. One cycling route connects Habovka, Bory and the Orava Open-Air Museum before returning to Habovka. Another circular route leads from Habovka to the Bobrovecká dolina valley and back; from Habovka, it heads towards Oravice.

Winter Loop and Excursion to the Roháč Lakes

For winter sports, a 12-kilometre machine-groomed cross-country skiing trail is described as a loop in the Habovka–Medzi Bory–Zuberec Brehy–Orava Open-Air Museum area. This is a clearly defined alternative to the summer cycling and walking trails.

The circular route around the Roháč Lakes passes through the Roháčská dolina valley, by six mountain lakes and the Roháč Waterfall. From Habovka, access is by bus via Zuberec in the direction of Zverovka. In addition, the lowland marsh area known as Medzi potôčkami has been opened to the public. The Medzi bormi nature reserve is subject to the fourth level of protection under Section 15.

Other places in the area overview: Liesek, Podbiel, Zuberec, Oravsky Biely Potok, Trstená, Suchá Hora, Nižná and Vitanova.

To the higher-level travel overview: Tvrdošín.