Velký okruh - Jánošíkove diery, Mountain hiking trail in Terchová, Slovakia.
The Velký okruh Jánošíkove diery is an 11.1-kilometer circular route through limestone gorges near Terchová. It passes over wooden bridges and metal rungs, alongside roughly 20 waterfalls that flow through the rock formations.
The route takes its name from Juraj Jánošík, an early 18th-century Slovak folk hero who used these mountain passages as hiding places. The name ties the landscape to a period when these gorges served as remote refuge.
The trail connects three gorge systems – Dolné diery, Nové diery, and Horné diery – located within the protected natural reserve of Malá Fatra National Park. Local communities view this path as a gateway to a landscape where water and stone have long held significance in regional narratives.
The route requires solid physical condition and proper hiking gear, as it involves climbing metal rungs up to 15 meters high and navigating tight passages. Allow plenty of time and wear sturdy shoes to maintain grip on slippery surfaces.
During winter months, water flowing through the rocks freezes into large ice formations, transforming the gorges into a natural ice gallery. This seasonal shift offers visitors in cold months a completely different experience than in warmer seasons.
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