RoutesBike touring routes & trailsSlovakiaPrešov
Sromowce Dam – Chapel at Łapszanka Pass loop from Spišská Stará Ves
RoutesBike touring routes & trailsSlovakiaPrešov
Sromowce Dam – Chapel at Łapszanka Pass loop from Spišská Stará Ves
Hard
4.9
(15)
96
riders
Sromowce Dam – Chapel at Łapszanka Pass loop from Spišská Stará Ves
02:57
45.6km
550m
Cycling
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: May 13, 2026
Waypoints
A
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
1
3.22 km
Sromowce Dam
Highlight • Monument
Sromowce Dam - created to create the Sromowski Reservoir. The Sromowce Wyżne hydroelectric power plant is located nearby.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
2
4.97 km
View of Niedzica Castle and Czorsztyńskie Lake
Highlight • Viewpoint
It might not be that clear why there are two castles (one rebuilt, one in ruin now) on two sides of the lake. First, imagine there was no lake. Second, imagine that Dunajec River was a border between Poland and Hungary throughout centuries and this area was a border crossing. The construction of the dam was finished in 1997, after almost 30 years. It’s main function is to control the water flow in Dunajec River, protect the lower situated towns from floods. Some people say it was built only for the Sromowce Gorals, so that they can raft 7 months in a year :-). Its area is roughly half the size of Liptovská Mára Lake, some 10,5 sq km. As in the case of Liptov Lake, here also some villages had to be moved higher. The construction of the dam and the lake had an impact on the local microclimate, increasing on 0,3º C the year average temperature in a 5km ratio. The locals say that the weather changes a bit as well, probably due to a different terrain surface.
Niedzica Castle /detour/
In the northernmost lands of the historic Spiš Region lies the impressive Niedzica Castle. Since the construction of the Niedzica Dam (20th century, 2nd half) it overlooks the Czorsztyńskie Lake but before that, since the 14th century it protected a ford (shallow water passage) on Dunajec River which was a border between the Polish and Hungarian Kingdom. It was built by Berzeviczy noble family. Initially a fortified castle, in the 16t century turned more into a Baroque residence that it remained until today. After WW1 when the northern small part of Spisz (including the castle) was granted to Poland, the castle remained a property of Salomon family that lost it only with the arrival of the Soviets who dispossessed all the noble families. It was turned into a museum and a hotel. There is a scenic terrace from which you can see the Lake with the ruins of Czorsztyn Castle (opposite side of the Lake), Gorce Mountains and Pieniny Mountains. In summer season there are boat cruises on the Lake.
Niedzica Castle /detour/
In the northernmost lands of the historic Spiš Region lies the impressive Niedzica Castle. Since the construction of the Niedzica Dam (20th century, 2nd half) it overlooks the Czorsztyńskie Lake but before that, since the 14th century it protected a ford (shallow water passage) on Dunajec River which was a border between the Polish and Hungarian Kingdom. It was built by Berzeviczy noble family. Initially a fortified castle, in the 16t century turned more into a Baroque residence that it remained until today. After WW1 when the northern small part of Spisz (including the castle) was granted to Poland, the castle remained a property of Salomon family that lost it only with the arrival of the Soviets who dispossessed all the noble families. It was turned into a museum and a hotel. There is a scenic terrace from which you can see the Lake with the ruins of Czorsztyn Castle (opposite side of the Lake), Gorce Mountains and Pieniny Mountains. In summer season there are boat cruises on the Lake.
Tip by
3
19.4 km
Traditional Wooden Houses of Osturňa
Highlight • Historical Site
You’re rushing down or sweating uphill, but this place is worth a stop (before the further downhill or further uphill). Also, Osturňa is 9km long :-) The name of the village originates from German (Asthorn), but it was later re-funded by the Rusyns (Lemko people) and nowadays is their westernmost settlement. Osturňa is separated from the rest of Slovakia by the mountain ridges. Osturniansky Potok (Osturňa River) enters Poland just behind the village, in Kacwin. Both villages belong to the same region - Spisz/ Spiš that in 1918 was split between two newborn countries - Poland and Czechoslovakia. What an enigma.
Osturňa’s architecture - traditional wooden houses - is protected by the Slovak government. In the village you can visit the only Orthodox church along the Tatravelo route. 84% of the population declare themselves Orthodox. They are the descendants of the Rusyns (Ruthenians, Lemkos), now an official NATIONAL minority in Slovakia, but their history is complex, their distinct identity was never officially accepted by the countries they lived in (Poland, Russia, Austro-Hungary, Ukraine).
As mentioned, Osturňa is the westernmost settlement of the Lemkos. They are traditionally Orthodox and use the Cyrillic script. Sadly, after 1947, no Lemko villages survived north from the Carpathian mountains (on the Polish side and also in Ukraine, further east). They were victims of the Operation Vistula (Operacja Wisła in Polish) which meant a relocation of some 140.000 people from their homes in Bieszczady and Beskidy mountains to territories gained on Germany, some 400 - 500 km further west. Its aim was to get rid of the partisans groups that kept fighting against the Soviets after WW2 by relocating and dividing them. At least, in the communist Poland many of the Lemkos improved their life quality (by receiving post-German, generally bigger farms, brick houses, running water) - a contrary to what happened to the Lemkos within Soviet Ukraine who, in the same period, were deported to Kazakhstan and Siberia and forced to an extreme poverty.
From the seven nations that formed Sub-Tatra regions (German-Saxon, Hungarian, Polish, Slovak, Gypsy, Jews, Ruthenians) only four groups are still here nowadays. Local Lemkos are the fourth, the smallest group (after the Polish, Slovak and Gypsies).
In Osturňa, don’t miss the pub (nº 159, Jan Pavlik, Pri Mlyne). You’ll feel like back in the Soviet 80-ies.
Osturňa’s architecture - traditional wooden houses - is protected by the Slovak government. In the village you can visit the only Orthodox church along the Tatravelo route. 84% of the population declare themselves Orthodox. They are the descendants of the Rusyns (Ruthenians, Lemkos), now an official NATIONAL minority in Slovakia, but their history is complex, their distinct identity was never officially accepted by the countries they lived in (Poland, Russia, Austro-Hungary, Ukraine).
As mentioned, Osturňa is the westernmost settlement of the Lemkos. They are traditionally Orthodox and use the Cyrillic script. Sadly, after 1947, no Lemko villages survived north from the Carpathian mountains (on the Polish side and also in Ukraine, further east). They were victims of the Operation Vistula (Operacja Wisła in Polish) which meant a relocation of some 140.000 people from their homes in Bieszczady and Beskidy mountains to territories gained on Germany, some 400 - 500 km further west. Its aim was to get rid of the partisans groups that kept fighting against the Soviets after WW2 by relocating and dividing them. At least, in the communist Poland many of the Lemkos improved their life quality (by receiving post-German, generally bigger farms, brick houses, running water) - a contrary to what happened to the Lemkos within Soviet Ukraine who, in the same period, were deported to Kazakhstan and Siberia and forced to an extreme poverty.
From the seven nations that formed Sub-Tatra regions (German-Saxon, Hungarian, Polish, Slovak, Gypsy, Jews, Ruthenians) only four groups are still here nowadays. Local Lemkos are the fourth, the smallest group (after the Polish, Slovak and Gypsies).
In Osturňa, don’t miss the pub (nº 159, Jan Pavlik, Pri Mlyne). You’ll feel like back in the Soviet 80-ies.
Tip by
4
19.9 km
Traditional Wooden Houses
Highlight • Historical Site
5
21.0 km
View of Osturňa
Highlight • Viewpoint
Turn to Lapszanka direction is pretty hidden, switch to lower gear, nasty 19% is waiting in the beginning.
Tip by
6
23.1 km
View of the Tatra Mountains
Highlight • Viewpoint
Beautiful view of the Tatra Mountains.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
7
23.4 km
Chapel at Łapszanka Pass
Highlight • Religious Site
From wherever you're coming, it's been a tough uphill to come here. But once you see the view, you know it was worth it. This small chapel was built by the people from Łapszanka village (north down the valley). It was believed that these chapels (equipped with a bell) were able to protect from the storms, they were used (the bell was ringed) when storm clouds were coming so that people that were working in the fields could have time to find a shelter. In 1967 a man was striked by a lightning when ringing the bell. There is a copy of Our Lady of Czestochowa image inside the chapel. It is one of very few remaining buildings of this type in the whole territory of Sub-Tatra regions.
Tip by
8
23.4 km
View of the Tatra Mountains from the Łapszanka Pass
Highlight • Viewpoint
The pass over Łapszanka. At the crossroads there is an old chapel with a bell warning against storms. This place offers a beautiful panorama of the Tatra Mountains.
Translated by Google •
Tip by
B
45.6 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
36.0 km
5.03 km
4.61 km
Surfaces
40.3 km
4.13 km
1.18 km
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Elevation
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Highest point (940 m)
Lowest point (480 m)
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Weather
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Today
Thursday 9 July
18°C
9°C
42 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h
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