Lysá pod Makytou – Culture, Landscape and Cycling Routes

Lysá pod Makytou combines the landscape of the Lýssky Pass with Slovak border culture, historic religious buildings and clearly described cycling and hiking trails. The municipality lies at the foot of the Javorníky and White Carpathians, making it a place where natural surroundings, regional history and active experiences come together directly within the municipal area.

Landscape Between the Javorníky and White Carpathians

Lysá pod Makytou is a Slovak border municipality on the border with the Czech Republic. Outside the town centre, 32 kopanice settlements shape the landscape. The municipal area encompasses hilly, upland-like and mountainous terrain at elevations ranging from approximately 350 to 922 m. This range describes the geographical character of the place more accurately than a uniform landscape: the municipality includes both gentler forms and distinctly mountainous sections.

Folklore and Historic Places

A cultural highlight is Folklórna Lysá, an annual folklore event held in the amphitheatre of Lysá pod Makytou. Traditional songs, music and dances are presented there. The event also includes a craft street and creative workshops for children. Those who want to get to know the place through its regional traditions will therefore find not only stage performances here, but also craft-related and family-oriented elements.

In the town centre stands the Church of Saint Stephen, a Neoclassical single-nave church with an integrated tower. Its main altar dates from 1824. The church also contains an artistically valuable statue of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, created by the Kafkovi brothers from Moravia. Other historical points of interest include the wooden bell tower from 1933 in the Strelenka district and a former state school building from 1912. A chapel stands in a natural setting in the Beňadín district.

Cycling, Hiking and Further Activities

Two differently characterised routes are central to cycling in the area. The green road cycling route 5314, classified as REKREA, is 15.6 km long, paved and has a stated elevation difference of 607 m of ascent and 66 m of descent. It begins in Lysá pod Makytou at a junction with a red cycle artery and ends at the Javorka saddle below Kohútka, at a junction with the red Javornícka cycle artery.

The Javornícka cycle artery leads from Lúky pod Makytou to Lysá pod Makytou, crosses the road there and then climbs through the streets of the town. Designated as red route 053, it is intended for experienced mountain bikers, is 19.8 km long and runs on asphalt, gravel and natural ground. The two described options therefore differ significantly in terms of route type, surface and intended group of cyclists.

Hiking trail 8584 leads from Lysá pod Makytou to Makyta. The route alternates between forests and meadows, passes through the Okrajkovci settlement and continues past a cross to the Hrnčár saddle. From there, there are views of the surrounding area. During summer and autumn walks through the landscape, wild strawberries, raspberries and blackberries can be found; with a little luck, blueberries can also be found in the Beňadín district.

The Skipark Dešná ski resort, with two downhill slopes, is also located in the cadastral area of Lysá pod Makytou. A publicly accessible multifunctional sports field is available on the school grounds for children, young people and adults, including for small-sided football, Nohejbal, volleyball, tennis, handball and floorball. A local addition is Pekáreň Lysá pod Makytou: pre-orders or reservations are accepted via the online catalogue, and ordered products can be collected in person at the collection points of the mobile sales service.

Other Places in the Same Region

For further orientation, Nimnica, Lazy Pod Makytou, Lednické Rovne, Mojtín, Kvašov, Zubák, Puchau and Dolná Breznica are also suitable.

For the overview of the wider travel region: Púchov.