Vitanová

Tvrdošín District · Žilina region · Slovakia
Vitanová — photo 1 Vitanová — photo 2 2

Photos: Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Punteador, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Vitanová is a village and municipality in the Tvrdošín District of the Žilina region, Slovakia. It is situated at an elevation of 699 metres in the foothills of the Skorušina Mountains, near the Oravica river in the Oravická Valley, about 5 km from the Slovak-Polish border. The area is surrounded by the scenic Podhale and Spiš mountains, with the Juranová Valley located nearby.

The first historical mention of Vitanová dates back to 1550. In the 17th century, iron ore was mined here, and the village suffered devastation during the Kuruc uprisings. Later, residents faced natural disasters, mainly floods. Traditionally, locals engaged in agriculture, cattle breeding, and various rural crafts.

The village is known for its natural beauty and mountain landscapes. The Juranová Valley attracts visitors with the Tesňavy gorge, featuring waterfalls and giant kettles. The area offers wellness opportunities at the Meander thermal aquapark in Oravice and the Oravice thermal baths, making it a popular destination for those seeking relaxation.

Active travellers will find six hiking trails in and around Vitanová, including "Oravice – Račkova dolina, camping", "Horárna Brestová – Trstená, West", "Dolný Kubín – crossroads under Umrlá", "Priekova – Zábiedovo", "Oravice – Chochołów", and "Javorinky – Brezovica". Visitors can explore the Juranová Valley, relax in the thermal baths, or set out on mountain hikes in the region.

Getting there from Ukraine

From Uzhhorod ≈275 km, ≈3 h 35 min without queues: Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké → I/19 to Košice → D1 motorway via Prešov, Poprad and Liptovský Mikuláš to Ružomberok (≈270 km, ≈3 h 25 min from the border). From Lviv it is faster through Poland: M-10 → Krakovets – Korczowa → A4 to Kraków → S7/DK7 to the Chyżne – Trstená border → R3 and I/59 via Dolný Kubín to Ružomberok: ≈482 km, ≈6 h 15 min (via Uzhok and Ubľa ≈500 km, ≈7 h 30 min). The D1 requires an e-vignette (eznamka.sk).

Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, OpenStreetMap, Karpaty.rocks data. More on Wikipedia

Trails nearby

All trails
Oravice – ChochołówModerateOne-dayMarkedOravice ChochołówElevation profile790–1 132 m12.5 kmascent 348 m≈ 4 h walking4.6 km from the centreJavorinky – BrezovicaEasyOne-dayMarkedJavorinky BrezovicaElevation profile714–1 117 m4.3 km≈ 1 h walking5.6 km from the centreDolný Kubín – Junction under UmrláHardMulti-dayMarkedDolný Kubín Junction under UmrláElevation profile476–1 314 m56.6 kmascent 2 149 m6.3 km from the centreOravice – Račková dolina, campsiteHardTwo-dayMarkedOravice Račková dolina, campsiteElevation profile791–2 063 m23.6 kmascent 1 337 m≈ 8.5 h walking6.6 km from the centreHoráreň Brestová – Trstená, WestModerateTwo-dayMarkedHoráreň Brestová Trstená, WestElevation profile603–1 314 m19.1 kmascent 591 m≈ 6 h walking6.8 km from the centreKľak – TrstenáHardMulti-dayMarkedKľak TrstenáElevation profile354–1 668 m119.6 kmascent 7 565 m7.9 km from the centre

Peaks nearby

All peaks
MníchPeakMníchZuberecaltitude 1 110 m14 km from the centreMních is a summit 1110 m high in the Skorušina Mountains (Skorušinské vrchy) in Orava, Slovakia, in their Kopec subunit.BrestováPeakBrestováZuberecaltitude 1 903 m15 km from the centreBrestová (in some sources Malá Brestová; Polish Brestowa) is a 1903 m summit on the main ridge of the Western Tatras, in the Roháče part, in Slovakia.MachyPeakMachyOravský Biely Potokaltitude 1 202 m16 km from the centreMachy is a 1202 m summit in the Skorušina Mountains in Orava, northern Slovakia. It rises above the village of Zuberec, about 8 km south of Tvrdošín, in the central...SalatínPeakSalatínZuberecaltitude 2 048 m16 km from the centreSalatín (formerly Salatínsky vrch; Polish Salatyński Wierch or Salatyn) is a 2048 m summit on the main ridge of the Western Tatras, in the Roháče part of the range, in...SpálenáPeakSpálenáZuberecaltitude 2 083 m16 km from the centreSpálená (Polish Spalona Kopa) is a summit 2083 m high on the main ridge of the Western Tatras, in their wildest part, the Roháče, in Slovakia.VolovecPeakVolovecaltitude 2 063 m17 km from the centreVolovec (Polish: Wołowiec) is a 2,063 m peak on the main ridge of the Western Tatras, on the border between Slovakia and Poland.

What to visit

All
Meander Thermal Resort, OraviceWater parks & thermal poolsMeander Thermal Resort, OraviceVitanová6.4 km from the centreMeander Thermal & Ski Resort (formerly Meander Park) is a thermal water park and ski centre in the mountain settlement of Oravice in northern Slovakia, at the foot of...Juráňova dolina: the Tiesňavy gorge with waterfalls and giant's kettlesWaterfallJuráňova dolina: the Tiesňavy gorge with waterfalls and giant's kettlesVitanová9.5 km from the centreJuráňova dolina is the largest branch of the Tichá Oravská valley in the Western Tatras (Západné Tatry), above the resort of Oravice on the Slovak side of the border...Museum of the Orava Village (Zuberec open-air museum)MuseumMuseum of the Orava Village (Zuberec open-air museum)Zuberec12 km from the centreThe Museum of the Orava Village (Múzeum oravskej dediny) is an open-air museum on the Brestová meadow at about 830 m, at the foot of the Western Tatras — the Roháče.Orava Reservoir and Slanica IslandLakeOrava Reservoir and Slanica IslandNámestovo14 km from the centreOrava Reservoir (Oravská priehrada), jokingly called the “Orava Sea” by locals, lies in northern Slovakia, in the historic region of Orava, close to the Polish border.Roháčsky WaterfallWaterfallRoháčsky WaterfallZuberec16 km from the centreRoháčsky waterfall (Roháčsky vodopád) is the best-known waterfall of the Western Tatras, in the Roháče massif about 12 km east of the village of Zuberec in Orava.The grassy hole of Salatín and Brestová in the Western TatrasMountain meadowThe grassy hole of Salatín and Brestová in the Western TatrasZuberecaltitude 2 048 m16 km from the centreSalatín (2,048 m) is a massive grassy mountain on the main ridge of the Western Tatras (Západné Tatry) in Slovakia, above the Bobrovecká and Jalovecká valleys on the...

Craft nearby

All craft places
Oravice thermal poolsWater parks & thermal poolsOravice thermal poolsVitanová6.4 km from the centreThe Oravice thermal pools (Termálne kúpalisko Oravice) are the municipal thermal baths in the mountain settlement of Oravice at the foot of the Western Tatras.Aquapark TatralandiaWater parks & thermal poolsAquapark TatralandiaLiptovský Mikuláš30 km from the centreAquapark Tatralandia is a large year-round water leisure complex near Liptovský Mikuláš, on the northern shore of the Liptovská Mara reservoir.

Spas and thermal pools nearby

Meander Thermal Resort, OraviceWater parks & thermal poolsMeander Thermal Resort, OraviceVitanová6.4 km from the centreMeander Thermal & Ski Resort (formerly Meander Park) is a thermal water park and ski centre in the mountain settlement of Oravice in northern Slovakia, at the foot of...Oravice thermal poolsWater parks & thermal poolsOravice thermal poolsVitanová6.4 km from the centreThe Oravice thermal pools (Termálne kúpalisko Oravice) are the municipal thermal baths in the mountain settlement of Oravice at the foot of the Western Tatras.Aquapark TatralandiaWater parks & thermal poolsAquapark TatralandiaLiptovský Mikuláš30 km from the centreAquapark Tatralandia is a large year-round water leisure complex near Liptovský Mikuláš, on the northern shore of the Liptovská Mara reservoir.

Huts, shelters and springs nearby

799 mSpringSpring below VýrPodhale and Spiš · SlovakiaNot verifiedOn a trailMarked as drinkable
730 mSpringMedokýš Spring, 730 mSkorušina Mountains · SlovakiaNot verifiedMarked as drinkable
729 mSpringSpring below Ostrý Vrch (north slope), 729 mSkorušina Mountains · SlovakiaNot verified120 m from a trailDries out in summer or drought
923 mSpringSpring below Ostrý Vrch (south slope), 923 mSkorušina Mountains · SlovakiaNot verifiedOn a trail
932 mSpringSpring below KrúpováSkorušina Mountains · SlovakiaNot verifiedOn a trail
919 mCaptured springCaptured spring below BlatnáSkorušina Mountains · SlovakiaNot verified70 m from a trailMarked as drinkable

All springs of the CarpathiansAll Carpathian huts

Getting there from Ukraine

Border crossings

  • Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké — road, 24/7
  • Malyi Bereznyi – Ubľa — road, 24/7 For cars and buses; pedestrians not confirmed by the Ukrainian border service, lorries up to 3.5 t.
  • Mali Selmentsi – Veľké Slemence (pedestrian) — pedestrian, 09:00–21:00 Kyiv time Pedestrians and cyclists only; inconvenient for the Tatras without onward transport.
  • Chop – Čierna nad Tisou (rail) — rail, 24/7

By car

From Uzhhorod ≈275 km, ≈3 h 35 min without queues: Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké → I/19 to Košice → D1 motorway via Prešov, Poprad and Liptovský Mikuláš to Ružomberok (≈270 km, ≈3 h 25 min from the border). From Lviv it is faster through Poland: M-10 → Krakovets – Korczowa → A4 to Kraków → S7/DK7 to the Chyżne – Trstená border → R3 and I/59 via Dolný Kubín to Ružomberok: ≈482 km, ≈6 h 15 min (via Uzhok and Ubľa ≈500 km, ≈7 h 30 min). The D1 requires an e-vignette (eznamka.sk).

Checked 23.10.2026; border crossing hours and timetables change — check before you travel.

What's nearby