Makov
Photos: Pudelek (Marcin Szala), CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Michal Jakubský, CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Phil Richards from London, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Harold, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Ben Skála, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); Ben Skála, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Makov is a village in the Čadca District of the Žilina region, Slovakia, situated at an elevation of 583 m in the northern part of the country. The village lies near the Javorníky mountain range, and the Trojačka stream flows through it. Makov is part of the Carpathian landscape, surrounded by forests and mountain scenery.
The first historical mention of Makov dates back to 1720. As of 2025, the population is 1,652. Throughout its history, the village has maintained its rural character and traditions, with the majority of residents being Slovak.
Makov is known for its natural surroundings in the Javorníky, clean air, and opportunities for outdoor recreation. Visitors can experience typical Carpathian nature and the atmosphere of a Slovak village with its cultural features. The village serves as a starting point for exploring the surrounding mountains and forests.
For visitors, Makov and its surroundings offer many trails, including "Makov – Smutníky", "Čadca, station – Makov, hut", "Drotár Trail", and "Rudolf Matter Route". Mountain enthusiasts can use huts such as Prítulok Kmínek, Prítulok LKJ Zlín, and Prítulok Masarykova Chata. These facilities provide comfortable conditions for exploring the mountains and enjoying nature.
Getting there from Ukraine
From Uzhhorod to Žilina ≈330 km, ≈4 h 20 min without queues: Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké → I/19 to Košice → D1 via Prešov, Poprad, Liptovský Mikuláš and Ružomberok (≈17 km on I/18 between D1 sections) → Žilina. To Terchová ≈314 km, ≈4 h 15 min: from the D1 onto I/70 and II/583. From Lviv through Poland: M-10 → Krakovets – Korczowa → A4 to Kraków → S7/DK7 to Chyżne – Trstená → R3, I/59 to Dolný Kubín → II/583 via Terchová to Žilina: to Terchová ≈493 km (≈6 h 30 min), to Žilina ≈518 km (≈7 h). Via the tolled A4 Kraków – Katowice, S1 and D3: ≈533 km, ≈6 h 35 min. The D1 requires an e-vignette (eznamka.sk).
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, OpenStreetMap, Karpaty.rocks data. More on Wikipedia
Trails nearby
All trails
EasyOne-dayMarkedCesta Rudolfa MatteraElevation profile587–916 m9 kmascent 327 m≈ 3 h walkingunder 1 km from the centre
EasyOne-dayMarkedMakov SmutníkyElevation profile582–859 m5.1 kmascent 285 m≈ 2 h walkingunder 1 km from the centre
HardMulti-dayMarkedKysucká magistrálaElevation profile423–875 m42.4 kmascent 1 766 munder 1 km from the centre
EasyOne-dayMarkedMakov, ihrisko GregušovciElevation profile601–896 m4.2 kmascent 295 m≈ 1.5 h walkingunder 1 km from the centre
HardMulti-dayMarkedČadca, station Makov, hutElevation profile411–962 m48.7 kmascent 1 469 m1.2 km from the centre
EasyOne-dayMarkedNižný Kelčov VolarskáElevation profile560–825 m3.9 kmascent 50 m≈ 1 h walking1.8 km from the centrePeaks nearby
All peaks
PeakBobekKorňaaltitude 871 m7.2 km from the centreBobek (Slovak also Bobok) is an 871 m hill on the border of Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Slovak geographers place it in the Turzovka Highlands (Turzovská vrchovina...
PeakVeľký Javorníkaltitude 1 072 m9.6 km from the centreVeľký Javorník (Polish Wielki Jawornik) is the highest peak of the Javorníky range at 1,072 m (more precisely 1,071.5 m).
PeakMarťácky vrchZákopčiealtitude 854 m19 km from the centreMarťácky vrch (locally also Marťakovský kopec) is an 854 m summit in the north-eastern part of the Javorníky range in Slovakia, in the Rakovská hornatina group.
PeakVeľký PolomRakováaltitude 1 067 m21 km from the centreVeľký Polom (Czech Velký Polom, Polish Wielki Połom) is a 1,067 m mountain on the Slovak–Czech border and the highest summit of the Slovak part of the Moravian...
PeakChotárny kopecČadcaaltitude 906 m22 km from the centreChotárny kopec is a summit 906 m high in the north-eastern Javorníky, Slovakia, the second highest after Kazícka Kýčera in the Rakovská hornatina part of the range.
PeakTáborKysucké Nové Mestoaltitude 697 m22 km from the centreTábor is a 697 m hill, the highest summit of the Ochodnica Highlands (Ochodnická vrchovina) in the eastern Javorníky in north-western Slovakia.What to visit
All
Cheese dairies & pasturesRaková farm in Kysuce: bryndza, žinčica and cheese cakesRaková21 km from the centreKysuce is a hilly region in north-western Slovakia, near the Polish and Czech borders, with scattered hillside hamlets (“kopanice”) and an old tradition of keeping...
MuseumBudatín Castle — Považie Museum and Tinkers' ExhibitionŽilina24 km from the centreBudatín Castle (Budatínsky hrad, also Budatínsky zámok) stands in the Budatín district of Žilina, where the Kysuca flows into the Váh.
Cheese dairies & pasturesFarma Brezany near Žilina: hand-stretched cheese and a distilleryBrezany24 km from the centreBrezany is a village a few kilometres south of Žilina, on the edge of the Žilina basin and the foothills leading towards the Rajec valley and the Strážov Hills.Craft nearby
All craft places
Cheese dairies & pasturesSalaš Orlové near Považská Bystrica: cheese, bryndza, žinčicaPovažská Bystrica26 km from the centreOrlové is a part of the town of Považská Bystrica on the left bank of the Váh, at the foot of hills that rise into the Strážov Hills.
Water parks & thermal poolsNimnica: a mineral-water spa above the Nosice reservoirNimnica28 km from the centreNimnica is one of Slovakia's youngest spas, in the Váh valley between Púchov and Považská Bystrica. Its spa houses stand at about 300 m on a wooded spur of the...Spas and thermal pools nearby
Huts, shelters and springs nearby
Getting there from Ukraine
Border crossings
- Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké — road, 24/7
- Malyi Bereznyi – Ubľa — road, 24/7 For cars and buses; pedestrians not confirmed by the Ukrainian border service, lorries up to 3.5 t.
- Mali Selmentsi – Veľké Slemence (pedestrian) — pedestrian, 09:00–21:00 Kyiv time Pedestrians and cyclists only; inconvenient for the Tatras without onward transport.
- Chop – Čierna nad Tisou (rail) — rail, 24/7
By car
From Uzhhorod to Žilina ≈330 km, ≈4 h 20 min without queues: Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké → I/19 to Košice → D1 via Prešov, Poprad, Liptovský Mikuláš and Ružomberok (≈17 km on I/18 between D1 sections) → Žilina. To Terchová ≈314 km, ≈4 h 15 min: from the D1 onto I/70 and II/583. From Lviv through Poland: M-10 → Krakovets – Korczowa → A4 to Kraków → S7/DK7 to Chyżne – Trstená → R3, I/59 to Dolný Kubín → II/583 via Terchová to Žilina: to Terchová ≈493 km (≈6 h 30 min), to Žilina ≈518 km (≈7 h). Via the tolled A4 Kraków – Katowice, S1 and D3: ≈533 km, ≈6 h 35 min. The D1 requires an e-vignette (eznamka.sk).
Checked 23.10.2026; border crossing hours and timetables change — check before you travel.
