Babia hora from Slaná vody

Babia hora (1725 m above sea level) is the highest peak of the Oravské Beskýd and an unmistakable dominant of the entire Upper Orava. Its peak lies on the state border with Poland and, thanks to the rapidly changing weather, has earned it the nickname "mother of misfortune". From the Slovak side, the most popular climb is from the recreational area of Slaná voda above Oravská Polhorou.

What will you see?

On the way you will pass rare peat bogs and mountain forests, you will pass the Hviezdoslav gamekeeper's lodge with a literary exhibition and wooden lookouts. On a clear day, a circular panorama opens from the bare peak - the Tatras, Malá Fatra, Chočské vrchy, Pilsko and the wide landscape of the Polish Beskydy.

How to get there

You can drive from Oravská Polhora to the Slaná voda chalet, where there is a parking lot. From there, the Slaná voda – Babia hora nature trail leads with 13 stops through Paseky and Hájovňa na Rovniech to the top. It is approximately 9.8 km in one direction with an elevation gain of around 1000 m, and the ascent takes about 4 hours. The hike is challenging, suitable for more fit tourists.

Good to know

• There is no entrance fee on the Slovak side.
• There are no refreshments on the route - take plenty of water and food.
• It is windy at the summit even in summer, so pack a windbreaker, hat and gloves; consider returning in case of storms or fog.
• In winter, the climb is significantly more difficult and requires winter equipment.

Photo: Ondrej Zvacek (CC BY 2.5), Suisant7 (CC BY-SA 4.0), Jakub Halun (CC BY-SA 4.0), Jakub Halun (CC BY-SA 4.0) – Wikimedia Commons