The Mala Fatra mountain range (Low Fatra) with the extended one of 22.630 hectares were declared the National Park in 1988.The mountain range core is formed by granitoid rocks, the bigger part, however, is made from rocks of the envelope and sheet units, especially dolomites and limestone. The park is rich of flora and fauna. As for fauna, there is bear, lynx, otter, eagle, eagle owl, grouse and others.

The Mala Fatra mountain range is uniforms in two parts: the first part calls Krivanska Fatra, whose the highest point is the top of Velky Krivan-1709 meters elevation above sea level. In this part of the national park is situated the fascinating Vratna valley. It is the biggest centre for tourism, skiing and recreation in Mala Fatra. In the Vratna valley is also located the picturesque Stefanova village. Between the most beautiful places of Mala Fatra there are: the system of gorges with the waterfalls - Horne and Dolne Diery, Nove Diery, Skalne mesto ("the Rock Town") a group of rock formations.

The second part of the Mala Fatra mountain range calls Lucanska Fatra - the highest point is the top of Velka Luka - 1476 m above the sea level. Also in this part there are very good tourist and skiing possibilities. On the slopes of the Velka Luka there are the ski runs of the Martinske hole Ski center. It is very renowned and attended skiing location.

The most beautiful part of the Western Tatras are Rohace mountains. There are lot of starting points for trails. Beyond Rohace there are the natural preserves call Kotlov zlab, Osobita, very beautiful Rohace lakes, Sivy vrch, Uplaziky and protected natural formations like the Brestovska cave and Macacie diery.

ITINERARIES

Mountain’s pass trought Ostry Rohac

Tatliakovo jazierko (lake) – Zábrat – Rakon – Volovec – Ostry Rohac – Placlivô – Smutne sedlo – Tatliakovo jazierko.

The ascent on the Ostry Rohac mount is very binding. It’s one of the most attractive passes in the zone of Rohace. It's advisable to do it only with the fine weather. The point of departure for this ascent is Tatliakovo jazierko (Tatliakovo lake). Lasted of this route is about 3.30 min.

Around the Rohace lakes

Tatliakovo jazierko – First Rohace lake – Second and Third Rohace lakes – Fourth Rohace lake – little lake of Opalove – waterfall of Rohace – Adamcula.

One of the most attractive tourist “ventures” is the footpath around the mountain lakes of Rohace. Thanks this not dificult route, you can see the most beautiful parts of the Rohace valley.

Mountain’s pass trought Sivy vrch

Hutianske sedlo – Sivy vrch – Sedlo Palenica – Brestova – Zverovka

Very interesting itinerary above all in the zone of Sivy vrch with his rocky formations. The walk begins in the Huty village, from that it is climbed on Hutianske sedlo.

1. part: Hutianske sedlo – Sivy vrch, lasted about 3 hours, red-blazed trail, difficult.
2. part: Sedlo Palenica – Brestova, lasted about 1 hour
3. part: Brestova – Zverovka, lasted about 2 hours and 30 min, blue-blazed trail

Tri kopy

Tatliakovo jazierko – Smutne sedlo – Tri kopy – Hruba kopa – Banikov – Banikovske sedlo – Rohacsky vodopád – Adamcula - Zverovka.

The route is very difficult, in some parts of the footpath it is ensures with the chains. It is advisable to do this itinerary only with the fine weather. The point of departure of the route is the Tatliakovo lake (Tatliakovo jazierko) (1370 m.).

The part: Smutne sedlo – Banikovske sedlo lasted about 2 hours and 30 min.
Tratto: Banikovske sedlo – Adamcula lasted about 2 hours and 30 min., too.

Itineraries marked

Itinerary Rohácske plesá , Zelené, Tri kopy, Baníkov – red-blazed trail
Itinerary Zelené, Placlivé, Ostrý Rohác - green-blazed trail
Itinerary Brestová, Osobitá, Lúcna, Rákon, Volovec, Baranec - blue-blazed trail
Itinerary Brestová, Látaná dolina, Lúcna, Rákon, Volovec – yellow-blazed trail

Links:

Font: www.habovka.sk
Photos: starky.borec.cz/rohace2003

Useful links:
rohace.host.sk
www.zuberec.sk
www.tatry.cz/turistika/tury/zapadne.php
www.hory.sk/index.php?site=tury/leto/p__zt_l.htm

The most important tourist path of the Tatra is the path called ”Tatranska Magistrala”. Thanks to this path it’s possible to know and to admire numerous valleys of the High Tatras.

All hiking trails are marked by red, blue, green or yellow signs. The High Tatra's marked trails, ranging over nearly 600 km, lead to most significant points.

The trails are of 3 types:
short walks (very easy)
hikes through valley
higher-altitude tours:
passes to cols and ascent to summits (the most difficult)

These are differentiated by terrain, requiring various degrees of ability and appropriate equipment.

Tatras' Mountain Rescue Service
www.hzs.sk

Mountain guides
www.tatraguide.sk

The maps
the High Tatras - hiking maps
the High Tatra's map

Other itineraries
www.tanap.sk/hik1.html
www.tatry.sk/turistika

Information about weather
www.meteo.sk
www.hory.sk/index.php?site=pocasie.htm