Rakytov

Rakytov is a 1,567 m mountain in the Greater Fatra (Veľká Fatra) in Slovakia and the highest summit of the so-called Liptov branch of the main ridge, part of the Hôľna Fatra subunit. It rises about 4.5 km from the village of Liptovské Revúce and some 6 km west of Liptovská Osada, while its western slopes drop into the deep Ľubochnianska valley. Along the ridge its south-western neighbour is Minčol (about 1,398 m) and its north-eastern neighbour Tanečnica (about 1,460 m), separated from Rakytov by the Southern and Northern Rakytov saddles. The mountain has a regular pyramidal shape and a bare top visible from afar, which is why it is counted among the best viewpoints in Slovakia. It lies in the Veľká Fatra National Park.

How to get there / routes

The green ridge trail known as the Liptov Magistrála crosses the summit itself. It runs from Ružomberok via Smrekovica, Skalná Alpa, Tanečnica and Rakytov to Minčol, the saddle below Čierny kameň and the Chata pod Borišovom hut. According to Polish Wikipedia, from the Borišov hut it is about 7.2 km with roughly 390 m of ascent, around 2 hours; from the Močidlo junction near Smrekovica along the ridge it is about 6.1 km with 550 m of ascent, around 3 hours.

• Green: Ružomberok – Smrekovica – Tanečnica – Rakytov – Minčol – Chata pod Borišovom.
• Yellow: from Teplô between Liptovské Revúce and Liptovská Osada up the Teplá valley to the ridge.
• A yellow path also bypasses the summit on its western slopes between the two Rakytov saddles (about 30 minutes) — a useful option if the weather turns on the open crest.

Interestingly, the green trail has only led over the summit since 1977; before that it skirted the mountain through forest with no views at all.

What you can see from the summit

The summit has a cross and a panorama rose that helps identify the surrounding mountains. In good weather you can see nearly the whole Greater Fatra, the Lesser Fatra, part of the Choč Mountains, the High and Low Tatras, as well as Poľana, the Štiavnica Mountains and Babia Góra. Occasionally even the Moravian-Silesian Beskids with Lysá hora show through the Strečno gorge.

Nature and history

Rakytov has a fairly complex geological structure: limestone prevails, yet the mountain has relatively gentle outlines. Its top resembles a pyramid on a nearly square base whose diagonals are formed by the main crest and by massive side ridges falling to the Ľubochnianka and Revúca valleys. The south-western spur ends in the distinctive rock formation Skalná brána (Rock Gate), worth a short detour.

Above about 1,300 m the beech forests give way to mountain meadows where several orchid species flower in spring and early summer. The top is covered by planted dwarf mountain pine, while neighbouring Tanečnica holds one of the larger natural dwarf-pine stands in this part of the range. The northern slopes belong to the Skalná Alpa nature reserve.

Safety, season and rules

Rakytov lies in the Veľká Fatra National Park: stay on marked trails, do not pick plants and do not light fires. The crest is exposed to wind and lightning, so in a thunderstorm use the yellow bypass. In winter the ridge is snow-covered and avalanches are possible on steep slopes — check the forecast and the avalanche bulletin before you go. Slovak Mountain Rescue (HZS): 18 300 (+421 18 300); European emergency number 112.

Interesting facts

• Rakytov is one of only two summits of the Liptov branch of the Greater Fatra above 1,500 m; the other is Smrekovica.
• On a clear day most of Slovakia’s mountain ranges can be seen from the top.

Photos: Daniel Baránek, CC BY 2.5; David Paloch (Caroig), CC BY-SA 2.5; Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0; Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 3.0; Derbeth, CC BY 4.0; Mineralysk, CC BY-SA 4.0; Pe3kZA, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons.