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Let’s again travel to the mysterious land of Slovakia.
Today I’ll tell about the region of Malá Fatra (Little Fatra or Lesser Fatra), where we won’t climb to the summit, but instead walk through mountains. (Here you can read about climbing on the top of mountain)
Jánošíkové diery (Janoshik’s Holes) is a complex of canyons and ravines in the national nature reservation Rozsutec. It is formed by Lower, Higher and New Diery and situated between the villages Terchova – Zazriva. Complex has gotten its name after prominent Slovak outlaw Juraj Janošík, who had lived and operated in the region. Janošík’s character is very romantized, some what Slovak Robin Hood. Canyons and ravines were formed by the stream, named Dierovy potok (Hole stream), which is totally understandable since it made a lot of holes in the mountains.
For the first time we’ve got a chance to come here in autumn. It was surprisingly warm and leaves already managed to change their color. Amazingly beautiful. Every time I come to the place like this, I can’t stop taking pictures – so strong a desire to take this beauty with you.
You’ll have to walk along the stream almost all the time. It’s broad and impetuous, in places – narrow as a creek, and sometimes brawling jammed between the rocks. All the paths are marked and taken care of. Little wooden bridges, boards to cross the difficult parts of the path, and stairs to overcome unapproachable cliffs.
It’s important to think forward about your footwear, sometimes the ground beneath is very damp (occasionally flooded), even more so if you decide to hike in the rainy period of year.
Since the stream goes through the rock formations, there are many waterfalls, big and small.
Altogether they sum up to nearly 20. They won’t make you feel dizzy, but anyway are very picturesque. Inhale deeply – the air is full of water vapors and fragrances of fir-needles.
A bit of sunny autumnal forest. From time to time the path skews from the stream and leads you to the trails leading through the forest, where ears can rest from the constant noise of water.
And these are the enchanted sentinels of the forest. They grasped the hills with their enormous roots.
Soon the path comes to a fork in the valley of Dierovy potok, between Lower and Higher diery. Here Chata Podžar is situated. It had been a shepherds’ camp in the past. Now you can refresh and get a bite here. We’ve come here almost at the sunset.
Autumnal sun gifted us with especially beautiful golden light and the last warmth of passing summer.
We’ve been here for the second time in spring. Winter gives up slowly in the mountains. And even if the town is clean and dry, here it’d be cold and moist. It was a period, when one wanted to plunge into the silence and emptiness of the forest to clear thoughts and get a portion of fresh air.
There were no tourists yet. The forest oozed with moisture. The water trickled beneath our feet, dripped from the hills, slowly formed drops on the branches of the trees.
Places like these help to recharge. Here, life is perceived in every second, breath, step and rustle.
I can’t stop be amazed how strong and beautiful the nature is with her never-ending circle of life and possibility of revitalizing. There last year leaves – as a golden stamping …
Sometimes the route lies closely to the rocks hanging over the stream. And then it looks like a balcony, encircling stone, with banisters and steep stairs. And since our outings always include our dog, who is terrified of roaring water, we get out batch of adrenaline. Trying to hold balance, clutching wet and trembling animal under the arm, one of us proceeds forward.
Always better to travel with family. I never stop being surprised of my kid’s endurance and energy. The abundance of exciting feelings and adventures pushes fatigue on the background. Well, he won’t get out of here all clean, but that’s infinitesimally unimportant.
There are several itineraries through the mountains. And as a rule, you can always find the map at the beginning, which shows all important points and roughly estimated distances to cover. The hike is not very difficult, but you always should take care while walking, cause it’s mountains and one false move can lead you to injury. Watch your children and beagles while climbing the metallic stairways ☺ But even with them it’s more of an adventure than an endurance-test.
Well, have you gotten enough of fresh forest air? Still, I have a story about Šutovský waterfall… Keep up!
