Malá Fatra National Park, National park in northern Žilinský kraj, Slovakia.
Malá Fatra National Park is a protected area in northern Žilinský kraj encompassing mountain ranges with mixed beech forests and limestone formations. The landscape includes alpine meadows, narrow gorges, and diverse rock formations that shape its appearance.
The area received protected status as a landscape reserve in 1967 before becoming a national park in 1988. These designations were established to preserve the natural resources and ecosystems of the region.
Terchová, a village in the park's foothills, is a Slovak folklore centre known for its folk music and traditions. The park also holds the traditional settlements of Štefanová and Podšíp, where visitors can see the region's vernacular architecture.
The park can be accessed through three main entry points at Terchová, Vrátna, and Štefanová, each connecting to extensive hiking trail networks. Proper footwear and layered clothing are important since conditions at higher elevations can change quickly.
The park's own endemic plant is the Margittai rowan, found nowhere else. Veľký Rozsutec, a sharp limestone peak, appears in the national park's logo. The Crystal Cave lies in the Malý Rozsutec mountain, and the Šútovo Waterfall drops 38 metres.
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