Vrátna – Cottage on Grúň

Description: To begin with, we offer a short and easy hike suitable also for children. It begins at Cottage Vrátna (Chata Vrátna; 750 metres above sea level), where you can get by bus or by car. You can park your car there, too. The yellow mark that starts directly opposite the cottage takes you to the forest. The trail is easy. It ascends slightly for about 45 minutes and it is suitable for younger children. A walk through the forest is especially pleasant during hot summer days as – except for some glades – you are protected by shade almost all the way. Nevertheless, if you become tired, there are several wooden benches along the trail, where you can sit and rest or relax for a while. After going out of the forest, you will have to walk for 5 minutes through a meadow to arrive to the Cottage on Grúň (Chata na Grúni) lying at an of altitude of 970 metres. There you can have some refreshment and appease your hunger and thirst while sitting on the summer terrace. Children can have fun in a grass children’s playground with a slide, climbing frames and swings. If they are not tired from the walk, they can play their favourite ball games. From the cottage you have a great view of Veľký Rozsutec peak and of the ridge of Malá Fatra. If you decide to return by the same trail, it will take you only 30 minutes. However, you can also choose a 1 hour trail through Paseky to Starý Dvor. If you have not left your car at Cottage Vrátna, you can return by the blue-marked trail to Štefanová, which a bit steeper. The descent takes 45 minutes. From Štefanová you can go to Terchová by scooters or by train.