SK: Kozie Chrbty – Winter Trek Up Kozi Kamen

Kozie Chrbty

For some these are already well known, others consider it a mysterious mountain range. Kozie Chrbty is a mountain range covering an area of 168 square kilometers. It spreads across the Zilina and Presov regions. Kozi Kamen (1 255 m) is its highest mountain sitting on the main ridge between Svitem and Vikartovce. The Kozie Chrbty stretch along the southern rim of the Podtatranska Basin starting at Liptov near the village of Kralova Lehota. Then it runs across the region of Spis, Poprad and its eastern edge reaches the town of Janovce.

Up the Highest Mountain

Kozi Kamen is situated in the Dubrava section of the Kozi Chrbty. If we want to reach the summit, there are several tourist trails to suit our needs. We can either start in the south by following a green tourist trail beginning at Vikartovce, or from the east and follow a blue tourist trail form Spisske Teplice. A green tourist trail goes here from the north from the town of Svit. A yellow tourist trail begins in Lucivne. This trail joins a yellow tourist trail in the area of Lopusna valley. And later it joins a blue tourist trail. In the end we choose a less strenous trail. We start in the ski/recreational resort of Lopusna Valley.

Our Rout

An easy trek, 9 kilometers long and of 490 meters of elevation, starts for us at a ski resort in Lopusna valley. We follow a green trail going through the valley. Then we pass Stefanik's gaming hut, and go slightly uphill. Eventually we reach a crossroad. There we leave the forest path and join a tourist trail. Step by step we gain altitude. Upon quite steep climb we reach the main ridge of the Kozi Chrbty adnd Tablicka klippe. Several tourist trials cross here. We turn left and follow a blue marked one. By following ridge mostly covered with trees, we gain altitude again. The last part of the climb is qute steep again. Eventually we step out of the forest and get to an open space. 

Kozi Kamen – Amazing Vantage Point

On the ridge, opens an amazing vista over the landscape around you. Podtatranska basin is vast. With the huge High Tatras behind it looks absolutely breathtaking. Here we can see the entire panorama of the High Tatras and we can easily spot the moust well known peaks of the mountains. If the visibility is good, we can also spot the distant Velky Choc, and the peaks of Chopok and Dumbier. To the northwest, rugged, snow-capped summits of the Western Tatras add to the entire panorama. On the very top we may enjoy yet another vista - to the east and south. Mildly wavy ridge of the Low Tatras  adds to the view. Apart from this, other peaks of the Kozi Chrbty are greatly visible as well as the city of Poprad and the Slovakian Paradise.

The vista from the top of Kozi Kamen is amazing. It highly surpasses anything you might expect. Should you plan a trip to this region under the Tatranian mountains, go here. It is an area made for tourists. You will love it.

GPS: 49°00'58.5"N 20°09'40.3"E

Text and photos: Radoslav Biskupič