Namestovo to Nova Kelca

At half past 6 we are both up and running so by 8AM we are en route. Getting up early definitely gives you a different view on the world.

 Sunrise at Orava lake
Sunrise at Orava lake

First stop: shopping at Lidl in Tvrdosin for breakfast and then onwards to the wooden church, another Unesco World Heritage site. We easily find the site and it is quite deserted. We quickly eat our breakfast and then have a stroll around the site.

 Modern church next to gothic wooden church at Tvrdosin
Modern church next to gothic wooden church at Tvrdosin

The church is quite small and is apparently only used at special occasions, judging from the beautiful modern big version next to it.

 Statue next to gothic wooden church at Tvrdosin
Statue next to gothic wooden church at Tvrdosin

 

 Gothic wooden church at Tvrdosin
Gothic wooden church at Tvrdosin

 

 Gothic wooden church at Tvrdosin inside the yard
Gothic wooden church at Tvrdosin inside the yard

 

 Church entrance
Church entrance

After breakfast it’s on to the High Tatra mountains. Our British friends yesterday were right. You never ride into or over the mountains, but always next to them.

 View on the High Tatra mountains
View on the High Tatra mountains

 

 Misty High Tatra mountains
Misty High Tatra mountains

The views aren’t less spectacular though…

 View on the Lower Tatra mountains
View on the Lower Tatra mountains

We stop at a small lake in Vrbov for a picknick near the lake. After some cloudy skies in the up in the mountains, the skies are clearing out again and the temperatures are definitely rising.

 Lunch break at Vrbov lake
Lunch break at Vrbov lake

Next stop: Spis Castle. We already spot it from miles away, a dominating structure looking over a huge valley. It reminds us quite a lot of the Mont Saint Michel in France.

 Spis castle in the distance, towering above the valley
Spis castle in the distance, towering above the valley

The closer we get, the bigger it looks.

 Spis castle towering above the surrounding countryside
Spis castle towering above the surrounding countryside

 

 Beautiful Slovakian countryside
Beautiful Slovakian countryside

 

 Spis castle towering above the surrounding countryside
Spis castle towering above the surrounding countryside

 

 Spis castle
Spis castle

Visiting the castle requires again a very steep climb. It’s too hot in our riding gear to even consider it, so we opt for a break in the shade of some trees with views over the castle. The juicy apples are delicious!

 Countryside around Spis castle
Countryside around Spis castle

 

 Spis castle
Spis castle

After Spis, we turn away from our original route a bit to look for a campsite. By now, we have learned that in these regions, campsites are usually located near water hotspots. And our map and gps indicate several at the Vel’ka Domasa lake. We do the entire tour of the lake and find only 2 campsites. One is closed so we take the other one. It’s pretty basic, but the grass is nicely cut, the views are spectacular and the prices are the cheapest so far: 5,5 EUR.

 Enjoying the last sunlight at Autokemp Krym near Vel
Enjoying the last sunlight at Autokemp Krym near Vel’ká Domasa

 

 The bar at Autokemp Krym
The bar at Autokemp Krym

While cooking dinner, are treated to a beautiful sunset.

 sunset on Vel
sunset on Vel’ká Domasa lake

Today’s route:

 Day 6 - June 11 - Route
Day 6 – June 11 – Route

 

 Day 6 - June 11 - Elevation plot
Day 6 – June 11 – Elevation plot
Sofie Written by:

dreamer - traveller - citizen of Enduristan

When I'm not out there discovering the world on my motorbike, you can find me crouched on the sofa dreaming of far away destinations in travel guides, blogs and maps.