Memorials Galovany

On the Háj hill, which rises to an altitude of 748 m a.s.l. above the town of Liptovský Mikuláš, you will find Lesopark Háj-Nicovô. It is a popular cultural and recreational zone and a frequent visiting spot for locals, as its summit offers a beautiful panoramic view. You will see the Vysoké Tatry with the unmistakable Kriváň, the Západné Tatry, and the Chočské vrchy on the northwestern side. The western side reveals the Veľká Fatra, while the southern side reveals the ridge of the Nízke Tatry. The highlight of the view is an exceptional vista of Liptovský Mikuláš and the Liptovská Mara water reservoir.

The dominant feature of the summit is the military memorial and cemetery Háj-Nicovô. More than 1,350 fallen heroes rest here. Their graves are arranged along the sides of a monumental staircase. Right by the bottom steps are sculptures, one symbolizing peace and victory, the other depicting an oath to the battle flag. After reaching the top step, you arrive directly in front of the centerpiece of the memorial, a pylon with several reliefs and a five-pointed star at its top.

You can reach the top of Háj along the paved Cesta generála R. Kunu road, which is also known as Cesta hrdinov. Passanger cars and bicycles are permitted on it, but you will also find pedestrians and often mothers with strollers there. In winter, the road is not maintained. However, a forest route via the Príroda a krajina educational trail, which copies the Vojenská história trail, is very popular among locals. In addition to walking, exploring nature, and learning about history, there is much more to do at Háj. You can play sports or spend time with children at an original wooden playground, and you can also find the first Slovak eco-friendly clay target shooting range here.

The Príroda a krajina educational trail is 1.3 km long, has an elevation gain of 140 m, and is marked with a green hiking trail marker. The ascent to Háj via this trail represents a walk along a deep-sea floor. More than 45 million years ago, Liptov was submerged under the sea, as evidenced by various fossils. In the insect hotel, you can admire the fascinating world of insects; however, on the way to it, you will first pass through a mixed forest with a rare specimen, a black poplar that is over 100 years old. The end of the trail is a sweet finishing touch, as there are stairs of time located there. They show a cross-section of the geological bedrock of the Liptovská kotlina basin, going back to 460 million years ago.

The Vojenská história educational trail is 0.47 km long and is a flat walk along a red hiking trail marker. Educational boards inform about troops and weapons, as well as the subsequent restoration of the devastated territory, as bloody battles of World War II took place here. The memorial area, to which the educational trail leads, was made accessible in 1961 along with the memorial and cemetery. It is the final resting place of battle victims, and since 2018, it has also served as a Pomník novodobým vojnovým veteránom (Monument to Modern War Veterans). This stands as a tribute to soldiers who died while fulfilling duty assignments in foreign missions and operations.

You can also run up to the summit of Háj; there are even two routes named after well-known Slovak athletes and natives of Liptovský Mikuláš. The blue route of whitewater slalom canoeist Michal Martikán is 5.3 km long with an elevation gain of 175 m. The yellow route of alpine skier Petra Vlhová is 3.3 km long with an elevation gain of 140 m. Both routes are classified as moderately demanding. A regional cycling route also passes through the area.

Being in Liptov means being surrounded by beautiful nature and many opportunities for activities. Lesopark Háj-Nicovô offers you amazing views, an easy hike, and the chance to discover another chapter of our history. The accommodation page Liptovský Mikuláš will take care of your stay, while the trip tips page Liptov will provide options for how to spend your free time during your visit.

In the Liptov village of Dúbrava, nestled in the picturesque nature of Nízke Tatry, the Guardian of the Forest (Strážca lesa) stands guard over the entrance to the forests and mines in Dúbravská dolina. It is a wooden statue soaring to a height of 5 m. To movie fans of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, it resembles the walking tree character "Ent", while to fans of Guardians of the Galaxy, it recalls the character "Groot". It was created by a pair of English artists.

Rooted to the ground, the statue is made almost entirely of wood, only subtly supported by a metal structure. It symbolizes Perun, the Slavic god of thunder and lightning. In his hand, he holds a burning torch, and his feet are covered with stones. The path leading to him is well-trodden, so you certainly will not get lost. It is quite possible that during your walk you will meet families with strollers or seniors. The terrain is easy and the route is relatively short.

In the past, mining activity flourished in Dúbravská dolina, leaving many residents with health consequences, but above all, it was responsible for one of the largest ecological disasters in Slovakia in 2019. The wooden guardian stands here as a sort of barrier between nature and man. He is a protector of both the forest and nature. He defends them and stands here as a warning to anyone who would consciously want to destroy them.

Not far from the wooden guardian are the famous Dúbravské bane, which were strategic for Czechoslovakia in their time. They were the highest-altitude antimony mines in Central Europe. Mining in them completely ceased in 1992. An old mining train stands at their entrance. However, its condition is just as dilapidated as the surrounding area of the mines. Nevertheless, a beautiful spruce forest leads to them.

Similarly beautiful forests can be found all around the area. Liptov is a very popular tourist destination, and every visitor will find something to love here. If you too want a photo with the wooden man of Dúbrava, plan a nice extended weekend in Liptov. For that, you need to find quality accommodation near the Wooden Man. You will find plenty of options, for example, on the page accommodation Liptovský Mikuláš. To truly enjoy your trip to the fullest, get inspired by our tips for trips in Liptov.