Orava Logging Railway — Attraction in Zákamenné

Can't not compare this with the train in Vychylovka in Nová Bystrica where I was year or two back. That one felt pretty dull so I was a bit worried taking our English friends here for a trip. I couldn't be further away from truth. The only thing I could complain about is the access road, but I don't think this belongs to the Orava Logging Railway (OLR) people to maintain. You start the trip in beautiful railway station in the middle of the forest. It's called Tanečník (the dancer) and you go up around twenty minutes. It sounds short but it's long enough not to start being boring. To make sure you don't, the surrounding forest is filled up with sculptures of fairy tale creatures and characters as well as the scenery is opening up as you coming up from the forest. There is a twenty minutes break on the top with the view tower and traditional house. This isn't enough for people looking for spending time in nature but at the end of the day you are having a train ride not hiking trip. You can always drive up there with you car. It's called Sedlo Beskyd (The Beskyd pass). Don't worry if you come too early... There is cafe, souvenir shop and the playground for children. We would give 6th * for having a child changing table (thing quite rare...

It's a great attraction. It's worth checking the website for departure times; it depends on the month. You can go with children and a dog. The cost for a dog is €2.50. Tickets can be paid by card.

You can buy souvenirs and some snacks like hot dogs, ice cream, or chips in the shop. Pay only with cash.

You have to come at the station 10 minutes before and you choose your own seats in the carriages. The ride itself took about 20 minutes each way, but it was very exciting. The train is well-preserved and creaks nicely while riding. Along the way is various fairy-tale figures, mountain views and cows. At the end of the route, there's a tower you can quickly climb and enjoy a view of the Tatra Mountains.

The downside of attraction is that children pee everywhere on meadows… I recommend sitting in the back for those who are sensitive to sound, as the locomotive...

Overall the ride is short but nice, but we had an bad experience because of bad organization on their side. I wouldn't recommend buying tickets online since you can buy them at the spot, i purchased the tickets in advance and they had a glitch or something where for the coal train i couldn't buy a children's ticket so i paid for 2 adults with a 5e loss. I wouldn't mind the loss but they squeezed over capacity, i was asked to put my kid in my lap even if he had a spot purchased, i declined they still pushed 4 ppl in 2 seats and we barely had enough room for the two of us. I hope everything who is still deciding to visit has a good time, but overall for the price and my personal experience i wouldn't...