Veľký Choč: Hike to heaven

A magical place with one of the best views in Slovakia.

(Source: Ján Pallo)

Mountain peak Veľký Choč is located at the border between the Orava and Liptov regions. Thanks to its volcanic top bare of trees, it offers one of the best views in Slovakia, even though its altitude of 1,607 metres does not put it among the highest hills in Slovakia. For more inspiration for hikes in Žilina region, check our guide.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

Find out more about region of folklore, national parks and modern attractions in our Žilina Region Travel Guide.Find out more about region of folklore, national parks and modern attractions in our Žilina Region Travel Guide.

It is possible to see the Western, High and Low Tatras from its peak, which hikers can reach by starting in one of six villages or towns (Vyšný Kubín, Jasenová, Valaská Dubová, Ružomberok, Lisková and Lúčky).

SkryťTurn off ads

Sometimes, multiple groups of tourists with separate cars start the hike from different places and exchange the keys to their respective cars at the top so they can use another trail to go down.

The shortest route, which takes hikers around 2 hours and 40 minutes to complete, starts in Valaská Dubová. Alternatively, hikers can leave their cars in Ružomberok, take a bus to Spa Lúčky (which includes a popular waterfall), hike to Veľký Choč (4:05 hours) and return directly to Ružomberok (3:30 h).

The hike to Veľký Choč is demanding and does not offer many views on the way up. However, once hikers make the final ascent above the tree line, the view is truly spectacular.

Spectacular Slovakia travel guides

Veľký Choč (Northern Slovakia)Veľký Choč (Northern Slovakia)

SkryťTurn off ads

Top stories

Slovakia marks 20 years since joining NATO.

Slovakia marks 20 years in the Alliance.


Daniel Hoťka and 1 more
Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad