Lakes and dams Bystrička

Asfaltové jazero is located near the small village of Nezbudská Lúčka. The site is known for its rich deposits of natural asphalt. At the same time, the only quarry in Europe for its extraction operated here in the past. Mining began here even before the First World War; according to chronicles, 5,000 cubic meters of asphalt were extracted annually from this quarry up until 1928. This mixture was also used for the construction of the road between Strečno and Vrútky. Mining ended here in 1962, as the deposit was close to depletion and groundwater began to seep into the tunnels, gradually flooding them.

The depth of the flooded quarry is currently 12 meters. In the past, it was up to 18 meters, but the bottom is now covered with a thick layer of mud. Swimming in the lake is forbidden; however, many people violate this rule, and several have already paid the price. The water near the surface warms up pleasantly, but the lower currents are cold, forming whirlpools that can pull a swimmer under. The lake is often used by divers, who have found, for example, a World War II grenade at the bottom. They could also tell you about the secrets of the flooded tunnels, where various reminders of former mining remain and where trout allegedly swim, which are white and blind due to life in the dark.

Asfaltové jazero is a popular spot for fishermen. The surrounding area offers interesting walks during which, on warm days, you can observe natural asphalt on the quarry walls melting with the heat and slowly trickling down. As part of the former quarry, the chapel of the patron saint of miners, St. Barbara, still stands here. Several mining tunnels have also been preserved, but entering them is not recommended as they could collapse at any time. You can reach the lake from the village of Nezbudská Lúčka on foot or by car.

If you spend your holiday in this area, you should definitely stay for a few days, because Asfaltové jazero is not the only attraction in the vicinity, quite the contrary. If your goal is to discover history, the ideal choice for you will be hrad Strečno, Starhrad, or Zemľanky and the memorial to the partisans of the Dibrov group in the village of Poriadie. The youngest family members will certainly be enchanted by Rozprávkový les Nezbudská Lúčka. We do not forget about active visitors either, to whom we recommend a hike to the second highest peak of Malá Fatra, Malý Kriváň, or to the lookout tower on the hill Špicák. Although you cannot swim in Asfaltové jazero, you certainly will not be left without water, as the thermal swimming pool Aqua Eden Stráňavy or the swimming pool in Vrútky will take care of that.

Finding accommodation near Asfaltové jazero is relatively easy, as the village of Varín is located nearby, offering mostly cottages. The nearby village of Dolná Tižina focuses on traditional cottages and guest houses. A diverse range of accommodation options is also available in Vrútky. You will have all services within reach if you choose accommodation in Žilina.

Šútovské jazero, also known as Kraľovianske jazero, is actually a flooded quarry located in the village of Kraľovany, near Šútovo. It lies beneath the peaks of the Malá Fatra mountains, practically on the main route between Martin and Ružomberok. There is a large designated parking area by the lake, which is free of charge.

Since the lake was formed by flooding a quarry, it has no inflow or outflow. The beautiful turquoise water reaches depths of up to 15 meters. Šútovské jazero is often referred to as the "Slovak Plitvice" because the surrounding terraced slopes resemble this Croatian park, which you may know from western movies such as The Treasure of Silver Lake. Although the quarry is a popular recreation spot for both local and international tourists, swimming is at your own risk. At the lake, you will find two larger beaches and a few smaller ones, one of which is fenced off and designated for nudism enthusiasts. Refreshment stands are available on some of the beaches.

After or before swimming, we also recommend a hike to Šútovské vodopád waterfall. The hiking trail leads directly from the lake, and the entire hike takes about 3 hours. You can also plan additional hikes to Veľký Kriváň and Veľký Rozsutec, or to any other corner of the Národný park Malá Fatra national park. If you prefer healing waters to swimming in the quarry, you can head to the Zlá voda travertine pool near Rojkov.

Whether you want to spend just a weekend relaxing by Šútovské jazero and exploring Malá Fatra, or stay longer, comfortable accommodation will come in handy. Look, for instance, for guesthouses in Kraľovany or cottages in Turany, Krpeľany, or Nolčovo. It is not far to Terchová either, where you can stay in cozy wooden cabins.