Látky: Nature and Winter Sports in Slovakia

Látky lies on an upland area of the Slovak Ore Mountains and combines natural landscapes, winter sports, cycling routes and scattered evidence of regional culture. The village is defined in particular by the Látky–Kočanda ski resort, the Habáňovo Nature Reserve and the various paths through the surrounding area. There are also historic buildings in Látky and Mláky, as well as regional foods that make the area tangible beyond its sporting activities.

Nature

The Habáňovo Nature Reserve lies northeast of Látky near the Mláky recreation area. It protects peat meadows and hillside springs and is part of the Natura 2000 network.

Winter Sports

The Látky–Kočanda ski resort has two drag lifts, each approximately 500 metres long. Access is directly from main road II/526; it is located 10 to 50 metres from the road. A free car park with approximately 100 spaces is available for vehicles. Around 10 kilometres of cross-country ski trails are also available in the Látky–Mláky area. They are five minutes from the village and are also suitable for beginners.

The winter sports facilities also include a ski slope for summer skiing on track skis. This special form complements the classic offerings of drag lifts and cross-country ski trails with a seasonally different option in Látky.

Cycling Routes and Horse Riding

The green cycling route “Okruh okolo Poľany” runs through Látky between Detvianska Huta and Lom nad Rimavicou. A second signposted connection is the yellow cycling route “Prameň Ipľa”. It runs via Prameň Ipľa, Vrch Ipľa, Bány, Mlakárske, Do Bánov, the Prašivá saddle, Mláky, Vrchy and Vrch Jazero. The two routes are clearly distinguished from one another by their names and the stations listed.

Horse riding is available at Ranč pod Bukmi in Látky.

Culture and History

The masonry bell tower in Látky dates from 1804. Its bells date from 1806 and 1903. Mláky has two chapels from different periods: the Chapel of Our Lady of the Rosary dates from 1930, while the Chapel of Saint Anthony of Padua dates from 1856.

Objects of folk culture have also been preserved in the scattered settlements of Látky. Together with the bell tower and chapels, they create a picture in which not only individual buildings but also the dispersed settlement structure and preserved evidence of the rural cultural landscape are visible.

Transport and Regional Products

Látky is served by SAD bus connections on the Zvolen–Detva–Látky–Kokava nad Rimavicou route. Also mentioned as part of the regional supply is the RD Látky tourist accommodation, which has a farm shop selling organic dairy products made from cow’s and sheep’s milk. The products include cheese, bryndza and žinčica.

More local pages: Stožok, Hriňová, Dúbravy, Podkriváň, Klokoč, Vígľaš, Kriváň, Horný Tisovník.

To the higher-level travel overview: Detva District.