Along the ridge from Snilovské saddle to the cottage under Suchý

Description: To spare some time and strength that will be much needed during this trip, you should take the cableway from Cottage Vrátna to Snilovské saddle (1,524 metres above sea level). From the saddle you should take the red trail to Cottage under Suchý (Chata pod Suchým; 1,070 metres above sea level). The hike to the Cottage under Suchý along the ridge of Malá Fatra is one of the most beautiful hikes in Slovakia. You will go through saddle Bublen (1.510 metres above sea level) and Malý Kriváň peak (1,671 metres above sea level) to saddle Priehyb (1,455 metres above sea level). There you can choose between the yellow-marked traverse below the ridge through saddle Pod Suchým (1,303 metres above sea level) to saddle Príslop pod Suchým (1,215 metres above sea level) or you can continue by the red trail along the ridge to saddle Príslop. From Príslop it is only 30 minutes along the red trail to the Cottage under Suchý. At the cottage you can order a meal or, if it is too late, you can also stay there for a night. If it is not too late and you want to go further, we recommend two following options:

1/ Total time along the red trail from Snilovské saddle to Nezbudská Lúčka: 6:15 h
Total ascent: 580 m / 1,749 m descent!
Continue along the red trail through Starý hrad Castle to Nezbudská Lúčka (355 metres above sea level). It is worth stopping at the castle ruins for a while to explore them a bit. The ruins offer a beautiful view of the opposite Strečno Castle and Domašínsky meander beneath the hill. It takes 2:15 hours to descend to the Cottage and so make sure you have enough energy. If you want to return to Terchová, choose from the two variants:
a) In Nezbudská Lúčka from Strečno station by train to Žilina, then take a bus to Terchová from the bus stop No. 10,
b) From Nezbudská Lúčka to village Varín either by feet (approx. 30 min.) or by bus, then take a bus to Terchová from a bus stop at the building of the local authority.

2/ Total time along the red trail and the green trail from Snilovské saddle to Varín: 6:50 h
Total ascent: 635 m / 1,794 m descent!
After a 10 min walk you arrive at a guidepost “Javorina” above the Cottage. The green trail will take you from the guidepost, directly to the bus stop in Varín. The first 30 minutes up to saddle Brestov you go through a forest. Then you descend down the serpentines for about an hour and then the trail continues through a forest until the guidepost “Pod Jedľovinou”. Then you will walk for 45 minutes along an asphalt road. After going out of the forest, you can enjoy nice views of the Žilina basin, Varín, Strečno, river Váh, Žilina Water Reservoir or Straník hill. At the bus stop in Varín you can wait for a bus to Terchová. We recommend starting this trip right after the breakfast. And please do not forget to check the bus or train timetable before the trip. If you are accommodated in village Belá, in auto-camp Belá – Nižné Kamence, or in the near surroundings, you can start the trip in Bránica valley. Behind the camp turn left from the main road No. 583, in direction from Terchová to Žilina. There are four big concrete shepherd’s hatch-sticks at the crossing. Follow the green mark. It is approximately 2 hours to the first guidepost “Sedlo na koni” (1,170 metres above sea level). The first 3 km go through plain terrain, along an asphalt road, then you enter a forest and the road changes to a classic hiking path and starts ascending steeply. Behind the saddle the forest ends and the trail ascends to saddle Bublem (1,510 metres above sea level). The ascent will take you 1:15 hour. After reaching the ridge you will continue along the red trail to Malý Kriváň (1,671 metres above sea level) and further according to the first version of the trip.