Trek to Velky Choc mountain in Slovakia

Climb to the great sightseeing mountain Velky Choc in Slovakia

Starting point

We started the trek from the village of Valaská Dubová. We arrived to this village by bus from Ružomberok.
 

Description of the hike

We got to the village of Valaska Dubova early in the morning by bus for about 1 Euro. Right at the bus stop in the village, the blue hiking trail starts, and we followed it to Velký Choč. After the village we entered the forest and started to climb slowly along the wide path. Gradually we switched to the forest trail and the climb became more intense, in places it was quite steep. As a reward, we were greeted by the beautiful mountain meadow of Predná Polana, from which the first views of the surrounding mountains opened up.

After a short rest we continued to the top. We chose the winter route for the ascent. There were fewer people going this way, which suited us. The trail kept climbing up to the top of the rocks, which offered beautiful views of the surroundings for the first time. The last few metres to the top are more in the rocks and in some places chains have been installed for better walking. The top of Velký Choč is rocky with sagebrush. Unfortunately, it is a popular tourist destination, so it was literally overrun with tourists. However, the views are absolutely perfect. You can see all the main mountain ranges of Slovakia - High, Low and Western Tatras, Veľká and Malá Fatra, Orava. The Beskydy Mountains are also visible to the west.

After sufficient rest we started to descend. This time on the summer path. The disadvantage was that there were crowds of tourists walking against us and we often had to avoid each other. From Predna Polana we finally broke away from the crowds and continued along the blue hiking trail to Predný Choč. It is a very pleasant path, gradually descending in a beautiful deciduous forest. The last steeper climb on the trail is the ascent to Predný Choč. We made a detour to the cross on Predný Choč. And I definitely recommend this detour. From the cross there are again fantastic views towards Liptov and the Tatras. And this time without people. So great.

We returned to the hiking trail and started to descend definitively along the forest path. It's a very pleasant path as the forest type keeps changing. The descent is not steep and we were soon at the ruins of Likava Castle. Unfortunately we had already missed the visiting hours and it was closed. So we immediately continued to the village of Likavka, where we had a well-deserved meal and beer in the local koliba. Then we returned to Ruzomberok.
 

Difficulty

A classic mountain trek, which leads all the time on marked paths. The vast majority of the route is in the forest. The ascent is steep in places, it is good to have some fitness. Technically it is without problems. There are chains just below the summit to make the ascent easier, but it is not necessary to use them.
 

Water availability

Surprisingly, there is no spring or well directly on the route. It is therefore necessary to have at least 1.5 litres of liquids per person. Even more. The hut is in the village of Likavka at the end of the trek.
 

Sleeping options

We had accommodation in Ruzomberok. It is forbidden to sleep in the wild in Slovakia.
 

Mountain peaks

From the top of the mountain Velký Choč 1 611 m above sea level you can enjoy one of the best views in Slovakia. You can see all the main Slovak mountain ranges - Tatras, Fatras, Orava and others.
 

Danger

Technically, the route is completely problem-free. The only place with chains is just below the summit on the winter road. It is nothing difficult. In addition, you can avoid this section if you go to the top on the summer path. Recently there is a problem with bears in Slovakia. There are crowds of people coming to the mountain Velky Choc, so there is minimal chance of contact with a bear. Something else is the continuation of the route through Predný Choč. Here we were completely alone. That's why it's good to make some noise in the forest, so that the bear knows about you and avoids you.
 

Food

We had snacks with us, the first opportunity to eat is in the village of Likavka.
 

Attractions

The Likava Castle, around which this route leads, was founded in the middle of the 14th century. The main share in its construction is attributed to the magistrate knight Donč, a county magistrate from Volven and Liptov. The castle was from the beginning a royal property, but during the Hussite wars it became an important Hussite fortress. Afterwards, the castle belonged to the Thököly family. The castle's history ended in 1707 when Prince Franz II Rákoczi had it demolished for military reasons. Today it is one of the most massive castle ruins in central Slovakia.