SK, Rohace – An Adventure Long to Remember

It has been a long time since we visited mountains. We didn’t want to get lost in crowds so we decided to see less visited yet more beautiful mountain range in Slovakia - the Western Tatras.

This core mountain range came into existence very long ago. It is divided to six geomorphological units in Slovakia; part of it extends to Poland. The borderline between the Western and the High Tatras goes along the Koprova Valley, Zadni Ticha and ends at Liliove Sedlo. We chose the central part of the Western Tatra that has a typical mountain relief (the alpine trails are closed from 1. 11. to 15. 6.). We entered through Rohackska Valley which begins near the village of Zuberec, district of Brestova.

Close to Zuberec by the recreation resort of Zverovka, we had to park our car. Those who use bus should know that it is here where the terminus is. From there, you have to go on foot along an asphalt road which also serves as a red tourist trail going to Tatliakova Cottage. Walking on the asphalt is not very exciting, and it takes you about an hour. Still, we were encouraged by panoramas of the Rohace.

When we reached Tatliakova Cottage we stopped for a while and refreshed ourselves. Some of us went a bit further behind the cottage to Tatliakova Lake actually a small shallow lake. Its surface reflects massive ridges of the Rohace. It is an ideal place to relax in nature.

However, we hadn’t came here to relax but to do some tourism. When our group united we climbed up. We joined the blue tourist trail going through Smutna Valley. We realized why the valley is called Smutna (Sad). The name was given to it as no river goes through it. Therefore, there is not much vegetation, the valley seems sad so. During a long ascend two things were interesting for us. First, marmots were whistling. The second, proximity of Smutne Sedlo which was a true start of alpine tourist for us.

We reached the altitude of 1 965 meters. There were couple of options where to go. We could go down to beautiful Ziarska Valley, or in the direction to Placlivo, Ostry Rohac, or Volovec. But we decided to go across Tri Kopy, Hruba Kopa up to the top of Banik Mountain.

Ascends and descends along Tri Kopy were really difficult, full of adrenaline, and most of all fantastic. Steep slopes made the hike even more adventurous. Individual peeks were only about 5 minutes of walk apart. They offered vistas of both sides of the Tatras, the regions of Orava and Liptova, or the Rohacka Plesa lakes.

It seemed only as a while what took us to climb up to the highest mountain of the Western Tatras - Banikov of impressive 2 178 meters. Impact of mountain glaciers once ruling this no mans land is apparent. Around Banikov there are steep slopes and fields of debris. After a while spent there we had to descend to Banikovske Sedlo where we joined the green trail, later yellow and finally the blue trail. The latter followed Spalena Valley. Unlike Smutna Valley, Spalena Valley is crossed with the Spalena Rivulet which feeds local vegetation. The descending path took as to the crossroads of Adamcula. We passed by when we went to Tatliakova Cottage already. At the crossroads, we joined the well known asphalt road leading to car park, our initial starting point.

The Rohace is not only the highest mountain range in the Orava Region but also a region with many reservations, beautiful nature, vistas, and experience we recommend you to enjoy on your own. You will see that it is worth it!

Text and photo: Oskár Mažgút