Lakes and dams Great Fatra

In the vicinity of the town of Ružomberok, you will find the well-known Hrabovská dolina valley. In a gorgeous forest environment, we can find the small Vodná nádrž Hrabovo reservoir. Beautiful surroundings and tourist attractions make it a popular trip destination.

Vodná nádrž Hrabovo was originally built for cotton mills as a water supply. Today, the artificial lake Hrabovo is a place of relaxation. On the shores of the lake, there are maintained grassy beaches; however, the water is relatively cold. Swimming is permitted only at your own risk. Nevertheless, the location also attracts water sports enthusiasts. You can go boating here to your heart's content throughout the summer, and there is also a rental service for paddle boats as well as adrenaline attractions. Have you tried aquazorbing yet? Inside a large inflatable sphere, you try to maintain your balance on the water surface. Your children will simply love this fun activity. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, you can also try out the “water bird” an aquaskipper that needs no motor. Once you learn to control it, you hop across the water on it like a bird. And rest assured, you will get a workout doing it.

When the cable car to the Malinô Brdo hill was built, the Hrabovo valley became a starting point for skiing. At the same time, it serves as an entry gateway to the Veľká Fatra National Park. Water from the lake is currently also used for snowmaking at the Ski Park Ružomberok Malinô Brdo ski resort. In the warm season, the ski park transforms into Bike Park Malinô Brdo. Cyclists from all over the world come here for downhill mountain biking. Biker camps and the MTB Championships (mountain downhill biking) take place here as well.

Last but not least, the greatest attraction is certainly the Lanový park Tarzania Hrabovo rope park or Zipline Hrabovo Ružomberok. Located here is the longest zip-line wire ride in Slovakia. Slide across Vodná nádrž Hrabovo and your adrenaline rush is guaranteed. For families with children, the smaller Tarzania rope course between the trees is ideal. You can rent equipment here, and your little ones can safely try climbing.

Lake Hrabovo is a popular spot for fishermen. Fishing is allowed here with a valid fishing permit purchased from the Slovenský rybársky zväz (Slovak Fishing Association). You can catch fish in a quieter part, in the shade of the forest, and fully enjoy this peaceful sport.

From Hrabovská dolina, you are just a stone's throw away from Čutkovská dolina valley. Do not miss hiking in this beautiful location. Moreover, you will find attractions here that are worth visiting as well. Obrov park Čutkovo is a great attraction for children, as is the mini farm at Salaš Pastierska. Enjoy cheeses and homemade specialties right in the restaurant here.

Accommodation near Vodná nádrž Hrabovo is available on our portal. And there is plenty to choose from. You will find romantic cottages here as well as modern apartments or hotels. Do not hesitate to visit this recreational spot surrounded by mountains, and you will truly enjoy your holiday.

The Vodná nádrž Turček reservoir lies above the village of Turček, in the Turčianske Teplice district. It is situated at the confluence of two rivers Ružová and Turiec. It was built for the purpose of collecting raw drinking water, which is conveyed to a treatment plant in Turček and subsequently supplies the districts of Žiar nad Hronom, Prievidza, and Handlová. At the same time, the dam protects the upper course of the Turiec from floods, and electricity is also generated here. Small hydroelectric power plants were established at several drops and flows.

The total area of the dam is 54 ha, with water flowing into it from a catchment area of 29.5 km², which features up to 95% water yield and high-quality drinking water. The rock-fill dam with an asphalt-concrete seal has a height of 59 m and a crest length of 287 m. With these dimensions, the reservoir can hold almost 11 million m³ of water, while securing water supply abstraction at a rate of 500 l/s.

Turček ranks among the youngest water reservoirs in Slovakia. The construction project was approved in 1989, the building permit was issued in 1992, and the construction itself began in 1993. Work finished in the spring of 1996, and the reservoir was put into operation on May 15, 1996. Due to the construction, six houses were evacuated, and replacement apartments were built in the village for these citizens during the building of the project. At the same time, it was necessary to reconstruct forest roads and a railway underpass.

Swimming in the reservoir and ice skating on the frozen surface are prohibited. Despite the fact that fish thrive here, fishing is not permitted either. Mainly trout are stocked here, which also serve as an indicator of water quality. An interesting fact is that bears living in the area around the dam come to refresh themselves at the reservoir.

The cycling route around the reservoir is popular. It is an asphalt-gravel trail with a length of about 10.5 km. The cycling route starts in the village of Turček, at the intersection with the Turčianska cyklomagistrála cycling artery. Following this path, you will get past the village and then ascend along a green-marked forest gravel road all the way to a lookout point. This provides a view not only of the dam, but also of the Kremnické vrchy. From the viewpoint, forest paths lead around the entire body of water until you return back to the village. Since you cannot go swimming in Turček, we will redirect you to the Aquapark Turčianske Teplice. And you do not have to limit yourself to bathing; you can also explore history at Kremnický hrad. Or you can head out to discover natural beauties in Harmanecká jaskyňa.

Start searching for accommodation near Vodná nádrž Turček in Kremnica (located about 11 km away), for example. The selection there is the most diverse. If you prefer a countryside setting, the villages of Králiky, Tajov, or Horná Štubňa might interest you.

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.