Trstená: Cycling Routes, St Martin’s Church and Pottery Tradition

Trstená combines cycling along the Oravica with a cultural history that comes to life in St Martin’s Church, the town museum and its pottery craft. The Bubeník educational trail also offers a distinctive experience: its bilingual panels cover local cultural and natural heritage, and a rest area with views awaits at the summit. If you are looking for accommodation in Trstená, you can decide what to focus on based on whether cycling, historical sites or a nature trail matters most to you.

Cycling along the Oravica and towards Liesek

A 3.507 km section of the Cesta okolo Tatier runs through Trstená along a path beside the Oravica River towards Liesek. It then follows a railway embankment to the village of Liesek. The route thus switches from the riverside path to the railway embankment and continues to Liesek. Along the cycling route in Trstená, there are benches, waste bins, bicycle stands and information panels. Vertical traffic signs are intended for pedestrians and cyclists, helping both groups find their way.

Another cycling route, Trstená–Nowy Targ, starts in the town. The two routes offer different points of reference for planning: for the Cesta okolo Tatier, the length and course of a section towards Liesek are known; for the Trstená–Nowy Targ route, Trstená is given as the starting point. You can therefore consider whether you would rather follow a specific section or start out on a named cycling route.

St Martin’s Church and the pottery tradition

St Martin’s Church stands on the Gothic foundations of Trstená’s first stone church, dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. Its tower has two exhibition levels and a balcony at a height of 26.5 m. Beneath the church is a crypt, restored in 2017. If you would like to visit the crypt, check access in advance.

The town museum and local crafts also offer different ways to explore Trstená’s culture. The Orava clay nativity scene is a permanent exhibition at the Trstená Town Museum. Traditional Trstená pottery is still made in the town by a master potter. If you would like to try the craft yourself, you can make pottery under the guidance of an experienced master potter; this requires prior arrangements. A permanent exhibition and a hands-on way to engage with the pottery tradition are therefore available side by side.

Bubeník educational trail and views

The Bubeník educational trail explores local cultural and natural heritage through bilingual interactive panels. At the end of the trail, on the summit of Bubeník Hill, there is a rest area with benches, a fire pit and a telescope. From there, you can enjoy views of the Western Tatras, including the Roháče, the Orava Reservoir and Babia Góra. The trail thus combines information about culture and nature with a destination offering views of several landscapes. Before setting out, it is advisable to check the current condition of the rest area’s facilities.

Which focus suits your stay?

For cyclists, the routes provide specific route details. Those interested in history and crafts will find a range of cultural themes in St Martin’s Church, the museum and the pottery tradition. The Bubeník educational trail combines nature and culture with a viewpoint. If you are looking for accommodation in Trstená, first consider which of these interests you want to shape your stay. This will help you choose your destination based on the experiences you actually plan to enjoy.

Discover more destinations: Ústie Nad Priehradou, Suchá Hora, Podbiel, Oravsky Biely Potok, Liesek, Vitanova, Tvrdosin, Zuberec.

Go to the overview of the wider travel region: Tvrdošín.