A 52 km cycle path will be created around the Orava Dam. It will connect to the Polish and Tatra cycle routes

The cycle route around the Orava Dam will have a total of 52 km and will help attract more domestic and foreign tourists. The cycle path will be built in cooperation with Polish partners and will connect to the Polish and Tatra Cycling Routes, thus creating an important cycling network in this region.

"We have approved financial support in the amount of EUR 150,000 from the government for the expansion of the cycle route as part of the project "Cycle Route around the Orava Dam". It should have a total length of 52 km and will be built in cooperation with Polish partners. Usually, the construction of such a cycle path is a lengthy process, taking up to 6 years on average. Cycling tourism has a great future, as it offers an ecological and sustainable form of travel and is in line with a healthy lifestyle. That is why we want to support as many similar projects as possible in the coming years. The fact that this project makes a lot of sense is evidenced by the fact that the mayors of the surrounding municipalities rarely agreed on the exceptional contribution of this project to tourism in the region," explained Dušan Keketi, Minister of Tourism and Sport of the Slovak Republic.

"The Orava Dam, the largest water reservoir in Slovakia, has a huge potential to attract tourists from home and abroad. The cycle route project has the ambition to improve tourist infrastructure and contribute to a longer-term stay of visitors in the region. Currently, many tourists stay in Orava only for a short time, while the average length of stay is 1 to 2 days. The aim of the project is to increase the number of overnight stays and improve the overall experience of tourists," said Maroš Badáň, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Klaster Orava (regional tourism organization).

The cycle path around the Orava Dam also passes through a 10-kilometre section of Polish territory and connects to the cycle paths leading through Jablonka to the Tatras. This connection creates new opportunities for cyclists from both Poland and Slovakia, who can discover the beauty of both countries. This cycle route will offer not only beautiful views, but also modern infrastructure equipment, including more than 30 bridge structures, paved roads, drainage systems, relaxation zones and gazebos.

The project is divided into three sections, with 70% of the route located on state-owned or managed land, which facilitates zoning proceedings. In cooperation with Polish partners, preparatory work has already begun on a section approximately 10 kilometers long on the Polish side and on the Slovak side on a section of 16 km.

Over the next two years, all necessary permits should be completed and construction work on individual sections should begin. This project is part of the approved tourism development strategy, which also includes support for entrepreneurs in the field of accommodation and services for tourists. The aim is to increase the quality and number of accommodation capacities to make the Orava Dam an even more attractive destination for domestic and foreign visitors.

The new cycle path will contribute to the development of the region, attract more tourists and significantly support the local economy. "We are convinced that the cycle route around the Orava Dam will bring a new dimension to tourism in Orava and will become a popular destination for cyclists from all over the world," added Minister Dušan Keketi.