Jánošíkové diery, Mountain gorge system in Mala Fatra, Slovakia.
Jánošíkové diery is a gorge system in the Mala Fatra with three main sections featuring numerous small waterfalls and steep rocky walls. The area requires technical climbing using ladders, chains, and walkways to pass through the narrow canyons.
The site was named after an 18th-century figure featured in local stories as a folk hero. The canyons themselves were shaped by water over time and later developed as hiking destinations.
The gorges connect directly to the nearby village of Terchova, where local stories and traditions about the region remain alive in people's memory. This link between the place and village heritage is something visitors can feel while walking through the passages.
Plan for about five hours to complete the full route, as the path is demanding and requires some technical skill. Good footwear and caution are important since rocks can be wet and slippery.
During winter months, water flowing through narrow gaps creates striking ice formations that transform the landscape. The uppermost section remains typically closed to visitors for safety reasons.
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