Oravská Lesná Forest Railway

The Orava forest railway is the eastern half of the line that once linked Orava and Kysuce over the watershed, and like the Kysuce section it climbs by switchbacks, running forward and then reversing up successive legs to gain height where a normal gradient could not. It was restored and reopened in stages from the 2000s. Trains run from Oravská Lesná through spruce forest to the saddle where the two systems met, and on some days the two operators run through services so that a single ticket crosses the watershed.

What you actually see

• The switchbacks - reversing legs used to climb the forested saddle.
• The restored line - track relaid in stages from the 2000s.
• The forest run - spruce woodland on both sides of the whole route.
• The Kysuce connection - the point where the two halves of the system met.

When to go

May to September is the season; trains run to a limited timetable. Weekends have the fullest service. The line closes in winter.

Honest expectations

Services are infrequent and should be checked before travelling. The restored section is short. Facilities at the terminus are minimal.

Nearby

Vychylovka is west over the saddle, and Namestovo is east.