Lietavská Svinná-Babkov: Nature, Trails and Castle History

Nature

Within the cadastral territory of the municipality of Lietavská Svinná-Babkov, the subunits Súľovské skaly and Skalky of the Súľovské vrchy belong to the Strážovské vrchy Protected Landscape Area. Súľovské skaly features named rock towers, needles, walls, rock windows and rock arches; approximately 50 rock formations have been named there in total. The rocky landscape of Súľovské skaly is popular with climbers.

Hiking and Cycling

A green-marked hiking trail leads from Rajecké Teplice via Skalky and Lietavská Svinná to Lietava Castle and then continues in the direction of Žilina. From Lietavská Svinná, a green-marked hiking trail leads in about 45 minutes and with an elevation gain of 213 metres to the summit of Cibuľník, which offers beautiful views. The local tourist association maintains marked hiking trails and has installed benches and tables for resting in the Krieš and Cibuľník areas.

The traditional annual events of the local tourist association include the opening of the hiking season in the Žilina district, called “100 jarných kilometrov”, at Lietava Castle. Regional cycle route 5405 Lietavská Lúčka–Porúbka runs via Babkov to Lietavská Svinná. The different route details help you consider hiking and cycling, as well as the different time and elevation ranges, separately.

The trails mentioned differ in their function: The green-marked connection links several places and leads to the castle or onwards in the direction of Žilina. The ascent to Cibuľník, on the other hand, explicitly states an approximate duration and an elevation gain of 213 metres. Cycle route 5405 is a separate route running via Babkov. This keeps the route, time frame, elevation information and mode of transport clearly separate.

History and Culture

Nearby Lietava Castle rises above the entrance to the municipality. At nearby Lietava Castle, there is a permanent exhibition on the history of the castle, archaeological finds and firearms; it has been expanded to include a tactile exhibition.

Dom spomienok is a permanent exhibition of historical objects from Lietavská Svinná-Babkov. The collection includes furniture, work tools, clothing, documents and photographs, most of which come from the municipality. Dom spomienok is open to visitors on request.

The two exhibitions have different focuses: At the castle, its history, archaeological finds and firearms take centre stage, complemented by the tactile exhibition. At Dom spomienok, most of the historical objects come from the municipality; the collection there ranges from furniture and work tools to clothing, documents and photographs.

A bell in the bell tower of Svinná was originally located at Lietava Castle and was subsequently donated to the settlement of Svinná. The brick bell tower of Lietavská Svinná-Babkov also houses a Renaissance bell from 1606, which probably came from the chapel of Lietava Castle. This Renaissance bell is still functional and is traditionally rung by hand.

Religious Tradition

The Church of the Seven Sorrows of Mary in Lietavská Svinná dates from 1993. During Lent, a Way of the Cross takes place daily from the cemetery in Svinná to Krieš.

For hotel offers in Lietavská Svinná-Babkov, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can be considered as separate details.

More Local Pages

Bitarová, Lietavská Lúčka, Kamenná Poruba, Jasenové, Belá, Rajecke Teplice, Teplička Nad Váhom, Strecno

To the higher-level travel overview: Žilina District.