Vel'ká Fatra (High Fatra) - Slovakia

Extent: 784 square kilometres

High Fatra is located in Central Slovakia, in Fatra-Tatra  Area , in districts of Martin, Ružomberok, Dolný Kubín and Turčianske Teplice. This mountain range forms a part of Internal West Carpathian Mountains.

Highest peak: Ostredok (1592 m).

Surface: remarkably afforested, the forests are mixed and of beech-woods, less pine-woods.

In high levelled sites, there are to be found plough-tails and pine forests. The areas, where trees are missing, are covered with meadows, Alp-meadows and glades.

Climatic zone: it is mostly cold.

Mountain relief is very rough, montaneous, in lower sites is hilly. The nucleus is formed with rests of granite and granite eruptives, wrapped up mostly with limestone, on some places even with karst appearances.

In this mountain range, there are to be found many of mineral as well as thermal springs.

High Fatra was declared as Protected Countryside Area in 1973, and later, in 2002, declared as National Park, especially thanks to its local fauna and flora.

The following photos, we will introduce you to the traditional Krnacek races, which take place every year in the village of Turecka. This year's track was very challenging due to the amount of snow that froze and increased the speed of the track. Even though some crews overturned or ended off the tracks, no one was serious. The contestants, as well as the spectators, had fun and adrenaline and remembered the old traditions. The event included a rich cultural program with a taste of traditional Slovak dishes.

Text and photos: Karol Kobelt (www.karolkobella.sk)

Edited by: Infoglobe