Trek over Velký Rozsutec in Malá Fatra

Trek over Jánošík's holes and Velký Rozsutec

Starting point

Parking near the restaurant Diery in the village Terchová. Parking is charged 5 Euro/day.
 

Description of the hike

We left the parking lot in Terchova early in the morning. Even so, there were already quite a lot of other tourists, but it was nothing terrible. However, the crowds of people we met on the way during the day surpassed our worst ideas.

We followed the forest path and the trail towards Janosik's holes. After about one kilometre we entered the beautiful world of the Janosik Holes through a narrow gap between the rocks. For the ascent we decided to continue along the green and then yellow hiking trail. The path leads through the stream bed between the rocks on iron footbridges and ladders. At the Podžiar crossroads we joined the blue tourist trail again and continued climbing up to the Medzirozstuce saddle. The path again runs along the stream and there are a large number of iron footbridges, ladders, steps or chains on the route. This makes the climb attractive and you don't really realise that you are gaining metres of altitude quite quickly. Eventually we reached the saddle. By then, unfortunately, the weather had already turned bad. While the sun was shining on Malý Rozsutec, Velký Rozsutec was in a cloud.

But this did not deter us and we started to climb up to Velký Rozsutec. The ascent is quite steep. At first it leads through the forest, then it turns into a slash-and-burn forest. At the end it is very rocky terrain. The biggest problem, however, were the crowds of people we had to avoid on the narrow path. Finally we climbed to the top of Velký Rozsutec. It was still in the clouds, so we didn't stay here long.

The descent from the summit is again very steep and led in rocky terrain. There are also chains stretched to make the way easier. During the descent, the clouds finally started to break and we were offered our first views of Mala Fatra. The descent to the Medziholie saddle is very steep and soon we were in a meadow in the saddle. Here we joined the green hiking trail and headed towards the village of Štefanová. The trail goes mostly through the forest. Unfortunately, there was an incredible amount of mud, so every step threatened a fall. On the way to Štefanová, views of the Little Fatra Mountains opened up, which was a pleasure.

We didn't stay in Štefanová and continued along the yellow tourist trail back to Jánošík's holes. The path leads to the saddle, beyond which is the Podžiar cottage. Here we turned to the blue tourist mark and continued our descent to the lower holes. Again, there are a lot of footbridges and a steel ladder for variety. We returned to the entrance to the Jánošík holes and followed the forest path back to Terchová.
 

Difficulty

Quite a demanding trek both technically and physically. The ascent is partly led by Janosik's holes, where there are many chains, footbridges and ladders. The descent from Velký Rozustec is also secured by chains in the upper part, but it is not too difficult. However, it's good to be sure of your step on the rock. In the forest part to the village of Štefanová it was incredibly slippery in the mud, so every step threatened a fall. The total elevation gain of the route is over 1,100 metres, so good fitness is in order. However, even school-age children can manage the route. They in turn will enjoy the climbing sections.
 

Water availability

The spring is in front of the entrance to the Jánošík holes. Another possibility to replenish liquids is the village of Štefanová, where there are some pubs and the last possibility is the Podžiar cottage, where there is refreshment. Here you can stop during the ascent and descent. We took with us about 1,5 liters of water per person.
 

Sleeping options

There are plenty of accommodation options in Terchová and its surroundings.
 

Mountain peaks

In good visibility, from the top of Velký Rozsutec 1 610 m above sea level, you can enjoy a great view not only of Malá Fatra, but also of almost all the main mountain ranges in Slovakia - the High Tatras, Low Tatras, Veľká Fatra, Orava and others.
 

Danger

The route is quite challenging. Often it is on ladders, footbridges, stairs. There are also places on the route secured with chains. In addition, it is often in wet conditions, when it slides everywhere. Therefore, it is necessary to be constantly on the alert.
 

Food

Refreshments are available at the Podžiar hut and in the pub in the village of Štefanová. It is of course necessary to have your own supplies.