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Námestovo (circular)

Start: Námestovo
Range: Lesser Fatra
Hiking routes of the Slovak Carpathians
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17.3 kmLength
333 mAscent
333 mDescent
920 mMax. altitude
607 mMin. altitude

Trail map

Route, springs and shelters: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · elevation: Copernicus DEM © DLR e.V., © Airbus DS · Data & licences

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About the trail

Route Námestovo (circular). Has yellow marking (regional route №8689, KST). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).

Officially marked regional tourist route No. 8689. The marking is yellow, the sign is a horizontal stripe on a white background. Marked and maintained by: KST. The length of the route is 17.3 km, the route is circular. Location: mountain range - Malá Fatra, Slovakia.

At a glance

A one-day loop route of 17.3 km with 333 m of ascent. Estimated walking time: about 5 h, not counting stops. Difficulty: moderate. Waymarking: yellow.

How we estimate walking time

By Naismith's rule, used by mountain clubs and guidebooks: an average hiker walks 4 km an hour on the flat and needs one more hour for every 600 m of ascent. For this trail: 17.3 km ÷ 4 = 4.3 h + 333 m ÷ 600 = 0.6 h, about 5 h of walking in total.

  • Breaks, snacks and photos: add 20–30 %.
  • A heavy pack, children, snow, a wet path or windfall add more; a long steep descent also takes time, especially for the knees.
  • The height of the Carpathians (up to 2,655 m) hardly changes the pace — on the ridges wind, fog and weather slow you down.
  • Limits: up to 9 h is one day; 9–13 h is a very long day or two; over 13 h means several days with overnight stays.

Route stages

  1. 0–6 kmGentle ups and downs at 600–650 m
  2. 6–7 kmClimb of 140 m (up to 788 m)
  3. 7–11 kmGentle ups and downs at 780–920 m
  4. 11–12 kmDescent of 120 m (down to 793 m)
  5. 12–17 kmGentle ups and downs at 630–800 m

Steepest kilometre: km 6–7, a climb of 110 m (≈11%).

Water and overnight stays

A spring near the trail: at km 1. There are no springs between km 1 and 17 — carry at least 2.5 l of water.

When to go

The route can be walked most of the year; it is most comfortable from April to October.

Getting there

This is a loop: it brings you back to the start.

Directions to the start in Google Maps

FAQ

How long does the route take?
Estimated walking time: about 5 h, not counting stops.
Is there water on the route?
A spring near the trail: at km 1. There are no springs between km 1 and 17 — carry at least 2.5 l of water.

Water and shelter on the route

  1. Drinking water below Klineckm 0.6 from the start · Not verified · 612 m

All springs of the CarpathiansAll Carpathian huts

Walk this route in 3DReal terrain, satellite map, Carpathian forests Play

Comments and trail condition

Travellers’ experience: reports, tips, questions.

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Wildlife along the route

All
Honey fungusin seasonEdible only after cookingHoney fungusArmillaria melleaHoney fungus mushrooms grow in large clusters on stumps and trees. Conditionally edible: only after thorough cooking. Season – August to October.
Blackthornfruit nowEdibleBlackthornPrunus spinosaA spiny bush that turns white with flowers in spring before the leaves appear. The tart blue-black fruits sweeten after the first frosts.
Yarrowin seasonIn season nowYarrowAchillea millefoliumWhite clusters of small flower heads and feathery leaves on every meadow — from the village to the polonyna. Blooms from June to September.
Meadowsweetin seasonIn season nowMeadowsweetFilipendula ulmariaTall creamy-white fluffy inflorescences in wet meadows and along stream banks. A strong honey aroma can be sensed from afar.
Heatherfruit nowIn season nowHeatherCalluna vulgarisA low evergreen shrub with lilac flowers that blooms at the end of summer. It grows on acidic poor soils.
Norway spruceNorway sprucePicea abiesNorway spruce is the main coniferous tree of the Carpathians: a dark sharp crown, prickly needles, and long cones that hang downwards. It grows up to the forest boundary.

Based on naturalists’ records nearby (GBIF, iNaturalist), matched by altitude, habitat and season. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Trails nearby

All trails
Tvrdošín, center – NámestovoModerateOne-dayMarkedTvrdošín, center NámestovoElevation profile566–1 109 m16.1 kmascent 641 m≈ 5 h walkingPrehaliny – Slanická osadaEasyOne-dayMarkedPrehaliny Slanická osadaElevation profile612–911 m6.9 kmascent 300 m≈ 2 h walkingKľak – TrstenáHardMulti-dayMarkedKľak TrstenáElevation profile354–1 668 m119.6 kmascent 7 565 m

Craft nearby

All craft places
Oravice thermal poolsWater parks & thermal poolsOravice thermal poolsVitanová23 km from the trailThe Oravice thermal pools (Termálne kúpalisko Oravice) are the municipal thermal baths in the mountain settlement of Oravice at the foot of the Western Tatras.Meander Thermal Resort, OraviceWater parks & thermal poolsMeander Thermal Resort, OraviceVitanová23 km from the trailMeander Thermal & Ski Resort (formerly Meander Park) is a thermal water park and ski centre in the mountain settlement of Oravice in northern Slovakia, at the foot of...Chochołowskie TermyWater parks & thermal poolsChochołowskie TermyChochołów26 km from the trailChochołowskie Termy stand in the village of Chochołów in the Podhale region, north-west of Zakopane and not far from the Slovak border.Orawskie Ranczo Educational Farm, Harkabuz: animals and craft workshopsEco farmsOrawskie Ranczo Educational Farm, Harkabuz: animals and craft workshopsHarkabuz30 km from the trailOrawskie Ranczo is a small family educational farm (zagroda edukacyjna) in the village of Harkabuz near Raba Wyżna, where Orawa meets Podhale.Shepherds' Huts on Polana ChochołowskaCheese dairies & pasturesShepherds' Huts on Polana ChochołowskaKościelisko30 km from the trailPolana Chochołowska is the largest glade in the Polish Tatras and one of the largest in the whole range.Biały Potok Shepherd's Hut, Witów: oscypek and cheese workshopsCheese dairies & pasturesBiały Potok Shepherd's Hut, Witów: oscypek and cheese workshopsKościelisko31 km from the trailBiały Potok meadow in the village of Witów lies between the entrances to two of the most visited Tatra valleys, Chochołowska and Kościeliska.