Starting at Blatná
We set off from the Blatná restaurant in Habovka. It's a handy landmark, you can leave the car there, and it's a nice place to come back to in the evening. The weather was unreal, not a cloud in the sky and the sun as warm as at the end of August, not mid-October.
Past Callo onto the cycle path
At the Callo ice-cream stand we turn off the main road onto the cycle path along the Studený potok stream. It's a pleasant gravel stretch with no cars, mountains ahead and the stream rushing beside you. We couldn't ask for a better start. The path follows the stream from Habovka all the way to the far end of Zuberec.
Tarmac from the end of Zuberec
At the end of Zuberec we join the tarmac road and from there it's a joy to ride. Past meadows, then forest, the spruces smell lovely and the sun flickers through the trees. We ride past the amphitheatre and the Orava Village Museum, so if you have time, stop and have a look at the old timber houses.
This part is more of a warm-up. It only climbs gently and you can easily ride it with kids or on an ordinary trekking bike.
The real climb starts at the Spálená junction
At the junction where the road to Spálená turns off, the real climb begins. The road tilts up and it's no longer just about pedalling but about breathing too. This is the moment to shift into an easy gear, find your rhythm and not push too hard, there's still a long way up.
Up Roháčska dolina
Riding up Roháčska dolina is proper hard work. On the way we pass a beautiful rock with wooden plaques that we simply had to photograph. At the Adamcuľa junction keep left, towards Ťatliakova chata.
The climb is gorgeous, but we're slowly running out of breath. We take a break at a wooden frame that perfectly frames the icon of Roháčska dolina, Ostrý Roháč. A few minutes standing, a drink, and on we go.
Up at the lake
A few more pushes on the pedals and we're there. In front of us Ťatliakovo lake, above it the Roháče ridge, and the sun warming our faces. The weather gave it that extra sparkle; you could happily sit here all afternoon.
Ťatliakova chata works as a snack bar and restaurant, so you can buy food and drinks right here. No need to haul a full backpack up, your wallet will do. We had one quick beer and a bit of a rest. You look at the bike leaning against the stone wall and feel like you've really achieved something today.
Back down the valley
And then it's all downhill. The descent is the reward for all that pedalling, but watch out for hikers coming up and for other cyclists. The road is narrow and on nice days it gets busy, so keep your brakes handy.
Time for some food
After a ride like that we were pretty hungry and started thinking about where to go and eat. You'll find tips for good food in Zuberec and Habovka in the Food section.