Likavka between castle history and the Choč landscape

Likavka combines impressive castle history with a preserved water mill and hiking trails ranging from a short circular route to a high-alpine landscape. If you would like to combine culture and exercise, you will find a variety of experiences here within a compact thematic area. Important for your planning: Likava Castle is closed due to ongoing reconstruction work.

Likava Castle and the history of the water mill

Likava Castle was a royal watchtower castle from the first third of the 14th century and was first mentioned in writing in 1341. It is one of the largest castle complexes in central Slovakia. In 1707, it was demolished on the orders of Prince František II Rákóczi. On the northern side, an old castle road leads to the walls of Likava Castle.

The complex includes the Hunyady Tower, which houses an exhibition on the history of Likava Castle. Pictorial and material exhibits are displayed there; after extensive reconstruction work, the tower was opened to the public in 2004. The current notice concerning the ongoing reconstruction work at the castle remains decisive when planning a visit.

An independent cultural and historical highlight is the water mill in Likavka. It was probably built in 1435 at the same time as the bakery of Likava Castle. The mill is the only surviving mill in the region and has been listed in the central register of Slovak heritage monuments since 2016. It was in operation approximately from 1640 to 1950.

Short circular route or long mountain hike

The “Na Likavu” circular route from Likavka is 2.5 kilometres long, takes approximately one hour, is marked in red, and has an elevation gain of 115 metres. Near Likavka, it connects to the red-marked hiking trail from Ružomberok to Likava Castle and continues to the Sedlo Spuštiak saddle. Parking spaces for the starting point are available on road E77 on “Pod hradom” Street. The “Likavka,,hrad” bus stop is approximately 200 metres from the starting point of the route.

The circular route is not suitable for visitors with limited mobility or for pushchairs. A longer and comparatively demanding alternative leads from Likavka to Lúčky via Likava Castle, Predný Choč, Spuštiak, Stredná poľana, and Veľký Choč. This route has an elevation gain of 1,114 metres and takes 6 hours and 45 minutes. Near the summit, it reaches a high-alpine landscape. Thus, in Likavka, a manageable circular route and a considerably longer mountain tour with clearly different time and elevation profiles are available side by side.

Memorial site and view

The memorial in Likavka commemorates eleven insurgents and partisans who were murdered there on 26 January 1945. It is located in a wooded natural setting and is accessible via stone steps. From the lower courtyard of Likava Castle, there is a partial view of Likavka and Ružomberok.

More places for your trip to Slovakia

For further options, you can also explore Liptovska Osada, Hubová, Ľubochňa, Bešeňová, Liptovske Revuce, Lisková, Liptovská Teplá, and Liptovske Sliace.

For the higher-level travel overview: Ružomberok District.