The Nová Bystrica Reservoir is one of Slovakia's hidden gems — a vast stretch of water nestled deep in the forested hills of the Kysuce Highlands, offering a sense of wilderness that feels a world away from busy tourist trails. With two winding arms spreading across 188 hectares, it's a place where nature, history and engineering meet in a quietly dramatic setting. Come here for scenic cycling, fresh mountain air and a haunting glimpse into a submerged past.

The reservoir's irregular shape follows the contours of the original river valleys, giving it an almost fjord-like quality as you cycle along its wooded shores. The surrounding hills belong to the Kysuce Protected Landscape Area, so the forests are dense and largely untouched. Spring and autumn are particularly beautiful, when mist clings to the water in the mornings and the hillsides glow with colour. The dam itself — 57 metres high and 330 metres long — is an impressive structure worth a close look, and the walkway along its crest offers a fine panorama over the water.

• Nová Bystrica village (parking near the dam) — marked cycling trail around the reservoir, 27.9 km total, moderate difficulty — a rewarding full-day ride with regular views over the water.

• The reservoir supplies drinking water to Žilina and the wider Kysuce region. A strict sanitary protection zone is in place: fishing is prohibited and direct access to the shoreline for recreation is not permitted.
• The 27.9 km marked cycling route runs along forest roads at the edge of the protection zone, with viewpoints over the reservoir throughout.
• A footpath along the dam crest is open to visitors and provides views of the reservoir and water quality monitoring equipment.

Beneath the surface lie the drowned villages of Riečnica and Harvelka — and when water levels drop, the stone church of Riečnica emerges eerily from the depths, a striking reminder of the communities that once called this valley home.