SK: Western Tatras – Ridge Trek Up Ostra and Sivy Mountain

Limestone-Dolomite Mountain of Sivy Hill

The Sivy Hill (1 805 m above sea level) is a very interesting location. It is the first significant hill of the main ridge of the Western Tatras on their western edge, it spreads in a separate geomorphological part of the mountain called Sivy Hill. From the remaining part of the Western Tatras, which consists mainly of the geomorphological parts of the Rohace and the Liptovské Tatry, it also differs from the geological structure. The territory of the Gray Hill is not built by perennial crystalline rocks, but by second-class limestone and dolomites. For visitors it is accessible from Liptov - either along the red hiking trail leading along the main ridge in the direction of the village of Huty or south from the recreation center Bobrovecká Vápenice along the blue and green route.

To Babky

We are on an almost 8-hour trail with an elevation of 1 457 m and a total length of 17.8 km. In Bobrovecka Vapenice, we will join the blue hiking trail, enter the forest and climb. We cross the junction of the route "Above the Quarry", where we turn left into the forest path until we finally come to the signpost "Pod Babkami", where we turn left on the green marked trail. The trail continues through the woods, constantly gaining height. We climb up the grassy slope towards Babka Hill. We are opening nice views of Liptov and the main ridge of the Western Tatras until we finally ascend to the first important intersection - the Babky Hill (1 566 m above sea level). From the top of this mountain we can enjoy charming views of the vast Liptov basin, the ridge of the Low Tatras, as well as the main ridge of the Western Tatras.

Along the Ridge ACross Ostry Hill

From Babky, our trek goes through the green path along the southern ridge pointing north to our destination - the Sivy Hill. In front of us opens a grassy ridge opens to the hiking trail. We walk through the beautiful steppe to the forest-land, we climb slightly and enter the forest. We walk along the foot of Little Kick (1,637 m asl) until the trail wears out of the woods and we find ourselves on an open lawn. So we reach another important point of our trek, which is the saddle of Prerendering. Again we offer fantastic views of the Chocske Hills, as well as the main ridge of the Western Tatras, where we can recognize the mountains like Salatin, Pachola, Banikov and Prilop. We continue in our hike and with a slight climb we pass through the peak of Velka Kopa (1648 m above sea level). The path leads to dense stands of rocks and begins to steep. This is where our climbing begins on Mount Ostra (1 764 m above sea level). After the grooming, which grows strongly in the path of the hiking trail, we finally come to the top. Sharp is an excellent sightseeing point, it is a fantastic panoramic view of the surrounding hills and valleys of the Western Tatras, Liptov, Orava, as well as Sivy Hill.

Na vrcholu Sivého vrchu

We leave Ostroa and walk down the path to the north. In front of us there is a small yet massive hill, whose peak is made of light gray limestones and dolomites. We cross the Priehyba Klippe and climb again. And finally we are on the Sivy Mountain (1 805 m above sea level), the main ridge of the mountains. We admire the stunning panoramic views of the Low Tatras, Chocske Hills, Oravska Magura, Oravska Beskydy and Skorusinske Hills. We also recognize the Great Fatra and the Little Fatra Ridge. There are views of the western part of the massive main ridge of the Western Tatras, dominated by Brestová, Salatin, Pachola or Baníkov hills. Below us, it spreads through the forest covered with the Bobrovec Dolina, looking southwards, we see a minor ridge with the exception of the Ostra Hill. Towards the west, the Radove Hills interest us - the serugged rock formations on the main Tatra ridge, which extend to the Sivy Hill.

GPS: 49°12'43.8"N 19°38'31.0"E

Text and photos: Radoslav Biskupič