Kysuce is the north-western-most protected landscape area in Central Slovakia.
Historically one of the poorer regions, it's recovering thanks to car manufacturing, skiing and cross-country possibilities.
The oldest known settlement in the Kysuce region is Kysucké Nové Mesto, which was first mentioned in 1321 as a toll-collecting place, which was part of a trade route between Žilina and Těšín via Jablunkov Pass, but otherwise the region was relatively uninhabited.
Kysuce region began to be settled in the 16th and 17th centuries at the time of Valach colonization. The new inhabitants were mostly Slovaks, from foreign settlers Rusyns, Poles and Romanians, but also Czechs and Germans. Many towns were established first around this time, for example Čadca in 1572. Many people live in small villages or lone cottages in the mountains (which are called kopanice).
From Slovakia, a detour from Žilina or Bytča is the most common access point.
Roads from Czech Republic (Ostrava, Frýdek-Místek) or Poland (Bielsko-Biala) arrive here.
Today main towns in the Kysuce region are Kysucké Nové Mesto 📍, Čadca 📍 and Turzovka 📍.
Visit protected areas in the surroundings:
Skiing:
Poland and Czech Republic.