ARE YOU ON A LONG-DISTANCE HIKING TRAIL along the famous Heroes of the Slovak National Uprising trail in the Carpathians? Did you know that the Magurka Chalet is only an hour away from the trail? In fact, the chalet lies approximately halfway along the 770-kilometre-long trail. Treat yourself to a rest and a delicious meal! On top of that, we will be happy to wash and dry your clothes for free. Well-rested and refreshed in dry clothes, you will be ready to continue your hike the next day.
The Golden Trail of Magurka
The Golden Trail of Magurka is a mining educational trail of 8.4 kilometres that runs through the Ľupčianska Valley (Ľupčianska dolina). Alongside the trail, you will find eleven information boards. The circuit encompasses the blue (intermediate trail) and yellow (shortest trail) marked hiking trails.
This educational trail is a part of the Slovak Mining Route project, which brings together educational trails focused on the history of mining and mining activities in the area. On the information boards along the trail, you will find out more about the mining industry, gold mining, and antimony and rock production in the area, alongside interesting facts about the local wildlife and nature.
The text was written by Emeritus Professor Martin Chovan of Natural Sciences at Comenius University in Bratislava.
Type of educational trail
one-way, circular, self-service, year-round
Usability for schools
suitable for excursions and field lessons
Ľupčianska valley (Ľupčianska dolina), Tajch (mine pit lake)
Ľupčianska valley is 17 kilometres long, it stretches from the ridge of the Low Tatras to the village of Partizánska Ľupča. The valley narrows towards the village. To the south of the valley rises the massif of Ľupčianska Magura (1,315 meters).
Ľupčianska valley has many side valleys: Latiborská valley (Latiborská dolina) in the south-west, Ďurková valley (Ďurková) with the mining settlement of Magurka in the south-east, and the valley with the health resort settlement of Železné in the east.
The valley is home to diverse fauna and flora – the vegetation varies from stands of spruce, fir, and beech to mountain pine. It is among the richest habitats for wildlife in Slovakia and thus there are several forester’s huts and hunting lodges located in the area. The Ľupčianka stream (Ľupčianka) runs through the valley. Several karst springs are also present here, such as Očenášová, Pod Skalou, Vŕšky, and Biela Ľupča. A few small caves occur within the valley.
Pro Tip
“Get ready to climb the ridge of the Low Tatras and start your hiking adventure with hearty breakfast at the Magurka Chalet.”
Or you can order a hiking snack package at our restaurant in advance. The hiking snack package contains fried pork schnitzel (120 g), 2 slices of bread, garnish, 0.5 L mineral water, Horalka biscuit, fruit.
Saddle of Latiborská hoľa (Sedlo Latiborskej hole)
Latiborská hoľa (1,643 meters) is a mountain grassland located in the main ridge of the Low Tatras, between the mountains of Veľká Chochula and Chabenec. Latiborská hoľa offers a wide-open view of Salatín, Ľupčianska valley (Ľupčianska dolina), Jasenianska valley (Jasenianska dolina), the Western Tatras (Západné Tatry) and the Slovak Ore Mountains (Slovenské Rudohorie). In the past, gold, silver, and antimony were mined here in the northern hillsides, especially around the area of Magurka. From the summit to the northeast, the tailings heaps and the entire system of mining roads and trails are still visible. Junipers and cranberries can be found on the ridge in a poor patch of mountain pine, and you can rarely the Alpine coltsfoot, Viola lutea, Buttercup, or Gentian.
Chabenec
Chabenec (1,955 meters) is a large grassy massif located in the granite core of the mountain range with an elongated summit ridge rising from the Ďurková saddle (Ďurková) to Kotliská. The trail branches off to the north leading to the hill of Ľupčianska Magura, located right above the village of Partizánska Ľupča. The summit offers a beautiful panoramic view of the area. Near Chabenec there is a Ďurková tourist shelter (blue 0h35″/1h00″).
Železné
The village of Železné is situated at the end of the Ľupčianska Valley (Ľupčianska dolina) at the altitude of 970 meters, hidden below the ridge of the Low Tatras. You can get there by car from Partizánska Ľupča and Liptovská Lužná going through the mountain saddle of Prievalec. In the past, Železné was known for its climatic spa. Today, there is a children’s sanatorium and a mineral spring. The surrounding area of Železné is ideal for easy walks to the woods, where you can find plenty of animals, mushrooms, and forest fruits. While you are here, you can easily bike to the Ľupčianska Valley and the picturesque village of Magurka, which is the highest situated village in Slovakia. In winter, there are excellent cross-country skiing trails around the village.
Salatín
Salatín (1,630 meters) is the highest peak in the north-western part of the Low Tatras. It has a characteristic hummocky shape, which can be seen from every mountain range in northern Slovakia. The peak forms a narrow plateau almost hundred meters long with a conspicuous trench. The trail branches off to the northeast leading to Malý Salatín. Along the way, you will find cliff walls and a number of small caves, such as Zbojnícka Cave (Zbojnícka jaskyňa). Both, the ridge of Salatín and the mountain pass Sklané-Hučiaky, are of exceptional geomorphological, zoological and botanical importance. Salatín is a very attractive place for tourists. All hikes here are very steep in the end, offering a great panoramic view of Liptov Basin (Liptovská kotlina), the main ridge of the Low Tatras, and the mountains of Veľká Fatra and Malá Fatra.
Chopok
Chopok is the second highest peak of the Low Tatras (2,024 meters) located between the peaks of Dereše and Konské. The north side is characteristic for its sheer rock faces with troughs and pillars, which in the northeast lead to the basin of Luková Valley (Luková dolina) with its mountain lake and moraine deposits. The south side is covered by boulder fields. Chopok is accessible by cable car from both the Demänovská Valley (Demänovská dolina) and the Bystrá Valley (Bystrá dolina). Near the summit, there is Stone Chalet under Mt Chopok (Kamenná chata pod Chopkom), television and meteorological station. The summit offers a panoramic view of the surroundings.
Child-friendly trails
Family-friendly walk to Železné
Return hiking track (2 hours): Magurka – Kapustisko – Železné
From the village of Magurka, head west along the road passing a beautiful local church. This originally a wooden church was rebuilt and completed in 1912 and was dedicated to St. Clement. The road then continues to Kapustisko, a forester’s huts, from where it turns left onto a forest track along the mouth of the Latiborská valley to Železné. In the past, Železné was known for its climatic spa. Today, there is a children’s sanatorium.
Family-friendly walk to Magurka´s mining shafts
Return hiking track (2.5 hours): Magurka – Old Mining Route – Russeger shaft – Kilián shaft
The initial part of the Golden Trail of Magurka offers a pleasant walk alongside the Russeger shaft and the Kilian shaft. You can end your trip by panning for gold in the local stream. Don´t forget to pack a rock hammer and explore the rocks and minerals along the way. Get your children excited about geology and who knows, you might even find antimony.
All-day hikes
Hike to Chabenec
Return hiking track (5 to 7 hours): Magurka Chalet – Bašovňa – Saddle of Latiborská hoľa – Ďurková – Chabenec – Nad Ďurkovou – Magurka Chalet
The first third of the route follows the Magurka Golden Trail, where you will find out more about the mining history in Magurka. Then you will reach the main ridge, from where you will enjoy the incredible views of this part of the Low Tatras. From the Saddle of Nad Ďurkovou, you can continue to Chabenec along the red trail (1,955 meters). On the way, you can stop at the Ďurková cabin for a little refreshment. The round-trip will take you approximately an hour and a half to complete. On this trail, one might easily encounter chamois. In addition, the trail offers amazing views down into the cirque of Chabenec and Kotliská, which surely makes this trip worth taking.
If necessary, you can divide your hiking trip into two parts. To do so, descend the ridge and continue along the yellow trail from the Saddle of Zámostská hoľa to the Magurka Chalet.
Hike to Salatín
Return hiking track (6 hours and 40 minutes): Magurka Chalet – Kapustisko – Železné – Salatín
Set off on your hike straight from the Magurka Chalet, continue along the green trail to the village of Železné, from where the trail heads through the forest towards the steep slope of the Saddle of Ráztocké and to the summit of Salatín. On the way, you will get a chance to admire the great views of the surrounding nature, the mountain ridge of the Low Tatras, Veľká Fatra, and Malá Fatra.
Nature tourism
If you are interested in exploring Low Tatras National Park with a licensed local guide who will provide an expert commentary on the surrounding nature, we will be happy to make your wish come true and arrange to tour for a fee. During the tour, you will uncover the hidden treasures of the Magurka forest and find out more about the local traditions.
This activity is on request.
*This tour is available in Slovak only.