Smrekov

Smrekov is a 1441 m summit in the southern part of the Greater Fatra (Veľká Fatra) in Slovakia. It belongs to the Bralná Fatra, the part of the range where many summits are of similar height, so even a massif this high looks inconspicuous here. Smrekov stands on a mighty spur running from Krížna and lies on the boundary of the cadastres of Blatnica (Martin District) and Mošovce (Turčianske Teplice District) in the Žilina Region. The nearest settlements in a straight line are Turecká (about 6 km), Staré Hory and Dolný Harmanec (8.5 km each).

Its neighbours are Haľamova kopa (1344 m) to the west, Kráľova skala (1377 m) to the east and an unnamed summit (1315 m) to the north. The summit is a junction: a side ridge runs north from it, separating the Gaderská and Dedošová valleys. The north-western slopes fall into the small Padva valley, the eastern ones into the Veľké studienky valley (a branch of Dedošová dolina) and the southern ones into the Žarnovická valley.

How to get there / routes

The summit is reached by a green-marked trail: the main path runs along the southern slope via Sedlo pod Smrekovom, and a short green spur branches off it to the top.

• From Blatnica – through the Blatnická valley, past the mouth of the Juriášova valley and up the Rakytovská valley: 12.1 km, about 985 m of ascent, about 4:10 h up and 3:20 h down.
• From the Kráľova studňa junction (reachable, among others, from Turecká) via Sedlo pod Smrekovom: 2.1 km, about 45 minutes each way.

What you can see from the top

Smrekov is forested; the trees open up only to the east, towards Sedlo pod Smrekovom. The most interesting view is therefore to the east, onto the Krížna massif (1574 m). The south-eastern ridge is grassy and makes a good viewpoint. On it stands the Smrekovica shelter – a converted shepherds' hut adapted for simple overnight stays by hikers who do not need comfort.

Nature and history

The summit lies in the Veľká Fatra National Park, and its north-western foot belongs to the Padva national nature reserve. The name comes from the Slovak word "smrek", spruce. All around run the deep valleys with limestone cliffs typical of the Bralná Fatra, cutting into the forested slopes.

Safety, season and rules

The climb from Blatnica is long: plan a full day and carry water, as there are no services on the summit. The forest on the ridge gives good shelter from the wind, but in winter the paths are snowed in and hard to follow, so snowshoes or skis and navigation are needed. In the national park stay on marked trails. Slovak Mountain Rescue Service (HZS): 18 300 (+421 18 300); general emergency number 112.

Interesting facts

• Smrekov is a junction summit: the ridges between the Gaderská and Dedošová valleys branch off here.
• The short green spur to the summit leaves the trail that skirts its southern slope.
• The Smrekovica shelter on the south-eastern ridge is a former shepherds' hut.

Photos: Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0; Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0; Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons.