Vlkolínec and Malinô Brdo

Vlkolínec

Vlkolínec sits above Ružomberok at 718 metres. It's a living village with 45 wooden houses and farmyards from the 18th century and a two-storey log bell tower from 1770. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993.

• Entry to the village is free; you only pay for the exhibitions.
• The Farmer's House is an exhibition of the Liptov Museum in a house from 1886.
• The UNESCO House presents Vlkolínec and other Slovak UNESCO sites and sells souvenirs.

People really live here

Around 100,000 people visit Vlkolínec every year, and some residents say tourists intrude on their privacy. On the main street you'll see “private property” signs and requests not to take photos. Please respect them. Come outside peak times, don't look into windows and buy something from the local shop. According to Visit Liptov, most residents support the UNESCO listing; they just want some peace.

From above: Malinô Brdo

The Malinô Brdo ski and bike park is a kilometre from the centre of Ružomberok. From the car park in Hrabovo, a chairlift takes you to the top of Malinné (1,209 m). From the top station, Vlkolínec is 2.4 km, about 40 minutes on foot.

1. Take the chairlift from Hrabovo up to Malinné.
2. Walk to Vlkolínec (40 min) and explore the village.
3. Return to Malinô Brdo along the educational trail.
4. Ride down on a mountain cart or off-road scooter: the route is 5 km and takes about 20 minutes.

Check the chairlift and cart hire times on the resort's website before you go; they change with the season and the weather.

Other ways to Vlkolínec

A footpath also leads up from Biely Potok, part of Ružomberok. You can also drive up from Ružomberok and park below the village.

While you're in Ružomberok

The Ľudovít Fulla Gallery shows the colourful paintings of one of Slovakia's most distinctive artists. It's a good plan for an afternoon if the weather turns. More ideas in our article Things to do in Liptov on a rainy day.