The best cycling routes in Tatranský - Op

Strednica is a popular ski resort located in Ždiar in Slovakia, at the foot of the Belianske Tatras. In winter, it attracts skiers with gentle, well-prepared trails with T-bar lifts - ideal for beginners and families with children. In summer, the area turns into a viewpoint with a beautiful mountain panorama and a great starting point for cycling trips around the surrounding valleys and ridges.

Calm

a must-see for any cycling or hiking trip in the area

Difficult passages

This is what the Tatras look like.

The Goralendorf extends over 6 km in a charming valley between the White Tatras and Spis Magura.

A traditional village of an interesting, mixed origin - although more than 98% of the population declares themselves Slovak, it is believed that Ždiar was founded by immigrants from Poland, hence the Polish-like surnames and name places (like Bachledová Dolina). Actually, it is hard to speak about nationalities here, as until 100 years ago there was no independent Poland nor no independent Slovakia, so a clear country identification was not necessary. Ždiar used to be more popular until the 1978 when all the paths in Belianske Tatry were closed and the whole 14 km ridge turned into a strictly protected area. One and only path was re-opened in 1993. In Ždiar, nowadays a sleepy village, you can find many traditional, some of which painted, houses. Unfortunately many were modified to be able to receive (more) tourists, during the 60ies and 70ies local tourism boom. Enjoy your way up :) Speaking of which - there is a new attraction here - a high terrace park in Ždiar that goes over the treetops. It’s in Bachledová Dolina complex.

Come to one city, visit six. The present day city of Poprad (53.000 inhabitants) is actually a unification of several smaller settlements. All of them emerged probably after the Mongol (Tatar) invasion in the mid 13th century, when the Hungarian king invited German (Saxon) colonists to the Spiš region. Today’s Poprad is formed of: Spišská Sobota (Georgenberg), Poprad (Deutschendorf - lit. Germans’ Village), Stráže (Michelsdorf), Veľká (Felka), Matejovce (Matzdorf), Kvetnica (Blumental). In 1412 all except Blumental became a part of so called Polish Pledge and belonged to Poland until 1772 (read more in Kežmarok description). Under the Polish rule they developed quickly, maintaining all an equal importance with Sobotá (lit. Saturday) having a leading role, politically and economically, partly because of the Saturday markets’ right. With the construction of the Bohumin - Košice railway in 1871 (an important rail arteria in this part of Europe), Poprad became “ate” the smaller neighbours. The Saxons were majority in some towns and played a very important role in the development of the region. The end of the WW2 and the approaching Soviet troops gave a sad exodus of this seven-century-long history of a multinational city. After WW2 Poprad strengthened its position as a starting point to the Tatras, it has train connections with Prague, Bratislava, Košice and narrow gauge trains to Štrbské Pleso and Lomnica. Also, there is an airport outside the city. Visiting Poprad: TatraVelo route leads through three historic zones - Velká (in the west), the jewel - Spišská Sobota (north-east) and Poprad (south-east). In Poprad and Sobota you can observe the very traditional layout of Spiš town main square, in a shape of a long oval, with parallel streets and houses outside and a stream, churches and shops in the centre. In Poprad, visit the main square (Nám. Sv. Egídia) with the typical 18th and 19th century burgher houses, the 13 century Gothic St Gilles Church (with the oldest painted panorama of the High Tatras - 15th century!, along with other beautiful frescoes), see the Protestant church and the Synagogue (truly multinational town, isn’t it?); Spišská Sobota’s centre is a preserved historic zone, with medieval houses and churches, a true jewel! In St George Church (hence the German name: Georgenberg!) you can see a wooden altar carved by Master Pavol from Levoča, a great local artist;