Winter ascent from Vrícko to Kľak - article

Text and photo by Ján Farský

With its height of 1 351.6 metres above sea level, the Rocky Kľak is the highest peak in the southern part of the Lúčanská Mala Fatra. The mighty jagged dolomite cliff rises lonely above the landscape. The characteristic silhouette is clearly visible from a great distance. From its top there is an excellent circular view of the surroundings of Šiauliai. The klyak is located in the centre of the eponymous national nature reserve. The object of protection is its top part with valuable rock and plant communities.

From Turca the starting point for the ascent to this mountain is Vrícko. The distinctive village was founded at the end of the 14th century in the basin of the Vríca stream. It belonged to the Jesuits. The first known written mention dates back to 1505. In the past, the inhabitants lived mainly by woodcutting, cattle breeding and weaving. The village has preserved its distinctive foothill atmosphere to this day. Although the winters are now poorer in snow than in the past, there is still more snow than anywhere else in the Turiec region.

V hore
In the mountain

A green hiking trail leads directly from the village to Kľak. First we walk through the forest on a snow-covered slope. The path is varied by views of icy ornaments frozen around boulders in the stream. But the snow and frost have also "pre-dawned" the trees in the mountain. Their dark trunks were decorated with a white band from the bottom to the white lace-wrapped crowns. After a not very difficult hike we arrive at a place called Bak. It is a crossroads of hiking trails. The green trail leads directly to Klyak. Following the yellow trail we would reach the Vríčanský saddle to the red-marked main trail, which runs along the entire ridge of the Little Fatra Mountains.

We head up the green marker. According to the information on the signpost, it should take us two hours and 5 minutes to reach Kľak. Even before that we should reach the Klyak waterfall after 50 minutes. And indeed. After about an hour of climbing up the slope, we arrive at the waterfall. If it weren't for the signs on the tree by the side of the road, we would have easily missed it. It's hidden in a ravine to the left of the road at 990m above sea level. The thirty meter high waterfall is a national natural monument. We strap on our "crampons" because getting to it all the way down the steep slope is a bit dangerous. But once we are below the waterfall, we rejoice at the spectacle it has prepared for us. The frost has created a number of cenacles hanging from the rocks. The falling water froze and formed itself into many ice laces and various poetic formations as well.

From the waterfall we return to the slope and walk along it for a few more minutes. Then we leave it, turn left and continue along the slightly overgrown path. There is just enough snow, so we manage quite well. We come out of the forest into the open. The sun glistens on the virgin snow. It has also coated the treetops. The masterpiece of winter idyll has been completed by the new moon. We walk as in a fairy tale. The scenery gradually changes, but the beauty of winter nature amazes us and accompanies us to the top of Klyak.

We are lucky because we chose the perfect weather for the hike. At the top, where the winds usually blow, it was windless. So we were able to enjoy the views of the landscape uninterrupted. We were a bit disturbed by the number of tourists, who came up mostly from the Fačkovský saddle. But whatever. Klyak is a beautiful mountain and a popular tourist destination. And the views of Mala Fatra, Rajec valley, Turčianska basin and other areas are really worth it.

Na vrchole bolo rušno
It was busy at the top
en_USEnglish

Public skating in Martin

Spring closure of hiking trails in NP Mala Fatra

Travelling Exhibition - Four Seasons