Geographical information
During the Malá Fatra Hike you will visit these cultural, historic and nature places:
Košice (city)
Košice is the second largest Slovak city; more than 230 000 inhabitants live here. This area was settled as early as the primeval ages. The first written reference of the city dates back to 1230. In 1342 Košice became a royal municipium and in 1369 it became the first city in Europe to be awarded its own coat-of-arms. In Košice there are plenty of historic sites. The best known is a monumental St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral, built in the 15th century, the largest Dome in Slovakia. Košice are also well known for its International Peace Marathon, one of the oldest world’s marathons.
Žilina (city)
Žilina is a centre of the north-western Slovakia and it is one of the largest city of Slovakia with 85 000 inhabitants. The area was already settled in primeval ages. Žilina was the crossroad of trade routes long ago and nowadays it is also an important transport junction. The autonomy of Slovakia was declared here in 1938 and an independent Slovak state was established. An important relic is Mariánske Square with arcades around its whole circuit, which was built in the 12th century.
It is situated in the north-west of Slovakia. It is a relatively small mountain range, but thanks to its nature beauty it is just as lovely as any other mountain range of Slovakia. It was proclaimed a National Park in 1988. The highest peak of the Malá Fatra is Veľký Kriváň with the altitude of 1709 meters above the sea level. A very attractive tourist experience in the Malá Fatra is trekking through its main ridge. This hike is one of the most beautiful in Slovakia.
Strečno is one of the royal castles. The first written reference of it dates back to 1316, but it is certain that the castle existed already in the 13th century. It towers on the cliff above Váh River in the altitude of 420 meters above the sea level. The emperor of Ugria Leopold I. had the castle demolished in 1698 and since then the castle declined. In the past the reconstruction of the castle was done; the castle was reconstructed in a great measure. Not far from the castle there is a monument of the French partisans, because in summer 1944 the difficult battles between guerillas (Slovak National Uprising) and Hitler`s forces occurred here. Namely the French partisans excelled in these battles.
Starý hrad (remains of the castle)
The remains of the castle situated in the neighborhood of the Strečno castle. It was built in the 13th century. In the first half of the 16th century the owners of the castle led war against neighboring Strečno castle for 25 years. Since the 16th century the castle became desolate and today only remains are left.
Cottage pod Suchým (cottage)
A cottage in Malá Fatra, which is a starting point for treks in the Malá Fatra from the south.
Day 2
Malý Kriváň (peak)
The second highest peak of the Malá Fatra with the altitude of 1671 meters above the sea level.
The highest peak of the Malá Fatra, which is in the altitude of 1709 meters above the sea level.
Pod Chlebom Chalet (chalet)
The highest situated little tourist chalet in the Malá Fatra. It lies in the altitude of 1415 meters above the sea level.
Day 3
Important peaks of the Malá Fatra, which are situated in the main ridge of the mountains. There are very good views into the wide surroundings from the peaks.
Cottage Vrátna (cottage)
A cottage located at the end of very sought out Vrátna valley. It is a relatively big one. It serves as the starting point of several tourist routes. A cable car links the cottage with the main ridge of the Malá Fatra.
Veľký Rozsutec (peak)
A characteristic rocky peak of the Malá Fatra with the altitude of 1610 meters above the sea level. It dominates the whole surroundings and it is considered to be one of the most beautiful peaks of Slovakia.
A set of gorges in the Malá Fatra, which consists of Dolné Diery, Horné Diery and Nové Diery. A passage through the gorges is made available by iron ladders and footbridges. Horné Diery is made by a gorge between Veľký Rozsutec and Malý Rozsutec, typical by rich rocky formations and waterfalls.
Day 5
One of the most beautiful Slovak castles that is a dominant of the whole Orava region. The hill upon which the castle was built had already been settled in primeval ages. The first written notice of the castle comes from 1267 when it became a royal castle. It was rebuilt several times, gaining it’s today’s shape in 1611. In 1800 it burned out, but was rebuilt, so it is still standing. In 2008 it was visited by more than 200 000 people.