HZS Lesser Fatra regional centre

The Kriváň Lesser Fatra (from Strečno to the Zázrivá valley, with the Vrátna valley and Veľký Rozsutec) and Orava: the Orava Beskids with Babia hora, the Orava Magura and the Choč Mountains.

Mountain emergency — Slovakia18 300 · 11218 300 — Slovak Mountain Rescue Service emergency line (operations centre), 24/7; 112 — single European emergency number

Contacts HZS Malá Fatra

HZS Lesser Fatra regional centreOblastné stredisko HZS Malá FatraHeadquarters: Štefanová 114, 013 06 Terchová, SlovakiaOfficial website: hzs.sk/mala-fatra
  • 18 300 Slovak Mountain Rescue Service emergency line (operations centre), 24/7
  • +421 41 569 52 32 HZS regional centre (not instead of 18 300)
Get directions

The Lesser Fatra regional centre of the Mountain Rescue Service (Oblastné stredisko HZS Malá Fatra) is in the village of Štefanová below Veľký Rozsutec, near Terchová. It rescues people in the Kriváň Lesser Fatra — a 43-km ridge from Strečno to Zázrivá with the highest peak Veľký Fatranský Kriváň (1,709 m) — and in Orava. The Vrátna valley is one of the most visited in Slovakia, and the rocky Diery gorges with their ladders, footbridges and waterfalls keep the rescuers busy every year.

How to call for help

Dial the HZS emergency line 18 300 or 112. The best way is the official HZS app: one button connects you to the operations centre and sends your exact location, and with a weak signal you can use its chat. Say where you are and what happened, how many people are hurt and how badly, and give a call-back number. Keep your phone on.

Area and stations

The centre covers the Kriváň Lesser Fatra with the Vrátna and Štefanová valleys and the ridge to Rozsutec, and Orava: the border Orava Beskids with Babia hora (1,723 m), the Orava Magura with Minčol and the Choč Mountains with Veľký Choč. Its main base is the regional centre in Štefanová.

Good to know

  • Rescue in Slovakia is charged: the person rescued pays for search and transport, while medical care is covered by health insurance. Minors are exempt. Buy mountain insurance before you set out.
  • Before a hike, log it in the electronic hike book in the HZS app: the evening before it sends warnings for your area, and if you don't check back, rescuers will come looking.
  • Before setting out, read the current HZS warnings and mountain conditions for your area: they are published on the service's website and in the app together with the weather forecast.
  • Check HZS warnings before going into the Diery gorges — some footbridges are closed from time to time.

Stations and bases

Unit and addressPhonesDirections
HZS Lesser Fatra — ŠtefanováŠtefanová 114, Terchová
Get directions

Map of the stations

Official apps

  • Horská záchranná služba (HZS) — Official HZS app: one-button call for help sending your GPS location to 18 300, chat (with automatic translation) when the signal is weak, 'Guardian Angel', an electronic hike log, avalanche warnings and mountain insurance. Verify your phone number in the app in advance.

Is the rescue free

Since 1 July 2006, under the Act on the Mountain Rescue Service, anyone in a Slovak mountain area must pay the HZS for the costs of rescue or search concerning them. This does not apply to minors or persons without legal capacity. Medical care is covered by health insurance, while the 'technical intervention' (search, extrication, transport) is paid by the person rescued, whether or not they were at fault. The HZS therefore advises mountain insurance, which can also be bought in the HZS app.

Other mountain rescue services: Slovakia

Last updated: 3 November 2026. Numbers checked against the services' official websites (sources below). If a number does not answer, call 112.

Sources (7)