An unusual way to explore the history of Kysuce is through its buildings: the Múzeum Kysuckej dediny in Nová Bystrica–Vychylovka presents the former life and culture of the Kysuce people in a permanent open-air exhibition. There are also historic railways, the memory of the former village of Riečnica, and natural attractions by the water and in the valley. You can tailor your stay to culture, technology and landscape.

The open-air museum and its buildings

At the Múzeum Kysuckej dediny, you can see residential and farm buildings, as well as technical and religious structures. They were relocated from several villages in Kysuce. The exhibition provides insight into the region through different types of buildings and their origins. If you are interested in architectural and everyday history, you will find a tangible glimpse here of the former life of the Kysuce people.

Forest railway and seasonal train rides

A narrow-gauge forest railway with a reversing loop takes visitors on a 3.6-kilometre route around the museum grounds. It is itself a national cultural monument, connecting the visitor journey with part of the museum’s cultural heritage. You can also ride a historic train or a rail bike between the open-air museum station and Beskid Saddle. This service is seasonal; check before travelling whether it is available on your travel dates.

Riečnica: church and remembrance

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in the former municipality of Riečnica was built in 1905. The single-nave building is Neo-Romanesque and lies within the Nová Bystrica reservoir area. Following the relocation of Riečnica, the church is the only material evidence that the former village existed. It was declared a cultural monument in 1996. Group visits can be arranged only in exceptional cases and by prior agreement. If you plan such a visit, make arrangements in advance.

Nature by the stream, reservoir and nature trail

The Vychylovské prahy natural formation lies beside the Vychylovka stream in Nová Bystrica. Here, the typical stepped course of a mountain stream cuts through layers of claystone and sandstone. The rocky section extends for about 150 metres, is visible from the road and makes a suitable stop on the way to the Múzeum Kysuckej dediny Vychylovka. At the dam of the Vodná nádrž Nová Bystrica – Vychylovka reservoir, there is a path with a view of part of the reservoir.

The Školský náučný chodník Prírodné spoločenstvá doliny Chmúra school nature trail offers another way to explore the landscape. Its information boards cover the typical ecosystems of water, soil, meadow and coniferous forest. This lets you explore nature alongside the buildings and technology of the open-air museum, without experiencing them in the same way.

Circular route and local dining

The Okruh Hrebeňom Kysúc circular route starts at a car park in Nová Bystrica and follows the Kysucká magistrála towards Stará Bystrica. A traditional inn on the route serves traditional dishes, and the staff wear Kysuce folk costumes. If you would like to eat there, check the menu in advance. This lets you combine the landscape route with a culinary stop, while the seasonal train rides and the church’s group visits—which can be arranged only in exceptional cases—remain separate things to plan for.

Discover more destinations: Vychylovka, Makov, Zborov Nad Bystricou, Skalite, Korňa, Krasno Nad Kysucou, Vysoká Nad Kysucou, Čadca.

Return to the main travel overview: Čadca.