Malý Choč

Malý Choč (Polish: Mały Chocz) is a 1,465 m summit in the Choč Mountains of northern Slovakia, a fore-summit of neighbouring Veľký Choč (1,608 m). It lies in the western, highest part of the range, in the Žilina Region and Ružomberok District, on the boundary of Lúčky, Valaská Dubová and Lisková — about 8 km north of Ružomberok. The Vráca saddle (1,422 m) separates it from Veľký Choč.

Malý Choč stands on a spur that leaves the top of Veľký Choč to the south and then turns south-east towards Turícka Magura (1,085 m) and Smrekov (about 1,024 m), beyond which it drops over several lower tops into the Váh valley. The western and southern slopes fall steeply into the Turík valley, whose brook flows to the Váh; to the east lies the valley of the Žimerov brook, a tributary of the Teplianka. Its neighbours are Bukov (1,218 m) to the east, Kopa (1,210 m) and Predný Choč (1,249 m) to the south and Zadný Choč (1,288 m) to the south-west. The nearest villages are Lúčky, about 4 km south-east, and Valaská Dubová to the west.

How to get there / routes

No marked trail crosses the summit itself. A red trail passes it through the Vráca saddle, linking Lúčky (via Žimerová) with the top of Veľký Choč and the village of Jasenová; further marked trails lead to Veľký Choč from Valaská Dubová and Likavka via Stredná poľana. Slovak and Czech sources describe a short unmarked detour from the Vráca saddle to the top. However, the whole massif lies within the Choč national nature reserve, where Slovak law allows walking only on marked trails, so the safest way to enjoy Malý Choč is from the saddle and from the summit of Veľký Choč.

What you can see from the top

The sparse trees on the top and especially the rocky southern part give an interesting view. Veľký Choč blocks the northern horizon, but you can see much of the Choč Mountains and the Liptov Basin, the ridges of the Lesser and Greater Fatra, the Low and Western Tatras, the Skorušinské vrchy and Babia hora.

Nature and history

The mountain is built mostly of grey, bedded dolomites of the so-called Ramsau type and, locally in its eastern parts, of dark-grey, thick-bedded Gutenstein limestones. These are Middle Triassic rocks belonging to the Choč nappe. The summit is completely forested, but on its southern side the upper part shows limestone cliffs, walls and small towers. The entire Malý Choč massif lies within the strict Choč nature reserve.

Safety, season and rules

Limestone and dolomite rock is very slippery after rain, and the southern cliffs are dangerous — keep away from the edge. In winter the slopes of Choč are snow-covered and the weather changes quickly. In the Choč reserve stay on marked trails, light no fires, pick no plants and do not camp outside permitted places. Slovak Mountain Rescue Service (HZS): 18 300 (+421 18 300); general emergency number 112.

Interesting facts

• Malý Choč is only about 140 m lower than Veľký Choč, yet from the valleys it is easily mistaken for a foothill of the big mountain.
• The Vráca saddle that separates it from Veľký Choč is just 43 m lower than the summit of Malý Choč.
• From the top you can see the Tatras, the Fatra ranges and Babia hora on the Polish–Slovak border.

Photos: Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 3.0; Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 3.0; Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 3.0 — Wikimedia Commons.