Cycling to the Lookout Towers in Turiec
Besides ski resorts and various hiking routes to the peaks of the Malá Fatra and Veľká Fatra mountains, the Turiec region also offers beautiful elevated spots where you can find 5 lookout towers. Two are located near the Tanková Road, which runs under the Lúčanská Malá Fatra, and three are near the SNP Road, which runs under the Veľká Fatra. Each lookout tower has seating with a fire pit, an information board, and a cycling map. Therefore, we recommend this almost full-day circular trip of about 50 km to lovers of mountain biking as well as recreational cyclists. If you have small children, this trip can also be done by car.
The trip starts at our Woodpark chalets, with the first stop being the nearest lookout tower, Rozhľadňa pod Bokšínom, located just 5 km from the accommodation near the village of Trebostovo. You’ll find the tower easily, as it is situated by the Tanková Road. Above it, there is a drinking water source for Turiec and the surrounding area.
The next stop is less than 2.5 km from this lookout tower. Following the Tanková Road, you’ll reach the village of Bystrička, which is just a short distance from Martin. In 2013, the Rozhľadňa pri Tankovej ceste was built here. Why “Tanková”? Because this road was once used for military purposes and connected the well-known tank shooting range near Martin with ammunition depots. At the lookout tower, you’ll also find a large swing.
From both lookout towers, you’ll enjoy a stunning view of Turiec, the nearby town of Martin, and the section of Malá Fatra with the peaks of Magura, Malý Kriváň, and Veľký Kriváň. Opposite, you can see the Veľká Fatra with the peaks of Lysec, Tlstá, Ostrá, Drieňok, and others.
From the Malá Fatra, we move to the Veľká Fatra region to stop number three, the Rozhľadňa na Tŕní lookout tower. We recommend reaching this tower via the villages of Trebostovo – Košťany nad Turcom – Žabokreky – Drážkovce, ending at the village of Turčianske Jaseno, which is about 15 km from the Rozhľadňa pri Tankovej ceste. The lookout tower is located between the villages of Turčianske Jaseno, Záborie, and Horný Kalník, providing a strategic position along the Turiec cycling route. Although it is not situated at a high elevation, it offers a beautiful view of the Lúčanská and Krivánska parts of Malá Fatra. If you look carefully from the tower, you can spot the nearby Rozhľadňa Na Kalníku.
The fifth stop is the 12th most beautiful tourist lookout tower in Slovakia, according to the ranking on the portal www.aktuality.sk. The Rozhľadňa Na Kalníku is located above the village of Belá Dulice and is about a 15-minute drive from the previous lookout tower. This tourist lookout is situated near the turnoff to the Jasenská Valley, from where you can reach the Jasenská dolina ski resort. For visitors, the tower offers a beautiful view of the Turiec region and, from the other side, of the Lysec peak. The lookout is located on the well-known Cesta hrdinov SNP, which also hosts cycling races.
The final lookout tower we’ll visit on this route is the Rozhľadňa na Brotnici. Although this tower did not make it into the ranking of the most beautiful lookout towers in Slovakia, we consider it the most beautiful among those you will visit on this trip. The Rozhľadňa na Brotnici is located above the village of Necpaly and offers a stunning view of Turiec, Malá Fatra, and also the Lysec peak. At the lookout, you will also find a large double cross pointing towards the village of Necpaly.
From all three lookout towers in the Veľká Fatra region, you will enjoy beautiful views of Turiec, the entire Malá Fatra with peaks such as Veľká Lúka, Minčol, Hnilická Kýčera, Javorina, and, from the right angle, even Kľak. You will also see the ski resorts Martinské hole and Snowland Valčianska dolina. Seating with a fire pit is available at each tower.
If you still have enough energy and want to see something more, on the way back to the chalets you can stop at the Gaderská Valley and hike up to the ruins of Blatnický Castle.
If the weather is nice and warm, we recommend stopping by the lake in the village of Ďanová. The Ďanová pond or lake is popular not only with anglers but also with the general public. People come here to swim, camp, sunbathe, and fish. Officially, swimming is not allowed as it is in other bodies of water, so you swim at your own risk.
From the Ďanová pond to the Valčianska Valley, where our Woodpark chalets are located, it’s approximately 10 km. After a demanding hike, we recommend simply enjoying a well-deserved rest at the chalet and a quality barbecue accompanied by a glass of one of our wines.
The Woodpark.sk team wishes you a pleasant and safe trip. 🙂
Cycling route details
- 45 km
- 3 h.
- 577 meters of elevation gain
- Views of Malá and Veľká Fatra
