Strážov

Strážov (Hungarian Sztrázsó) is the highest summit of the Strážov Mountains, 1213.3 m high (local signs often say 1215 m). The mountain stands about 15 km east of Ilava, in the central part of the range, in the Zliechov Highlands geomorphological subunit. The summit lies on the border of the Žilina and Trenčín Regions, between Žilina and Ilava Districts, and extends onto the land of the villages of Čičmany and Zliechov; the northern part of the massif belongs to the municipality of Pružina in Považská Bystrica District. Strážov dominates the village of Zliechov from the east, while Čičmany lies to the west. The road between these villages runs along the southern slopes of the massif.

The summit stands on the strongly winding main ridge of the Strážov Mountains, on the watershed between the Váh and the Nitra. A ridge with Čierny vrch (1068 m) runs to the north-east, and Sokolie (1032 m) lies to the north. The western part of the massif drains via tributaries of the Podhradský stream flowing to the Váh; the eastern slopes at Zákľuka are the source area of the Rajčanka; the northern part drains via the Strážovský stream, a tributary of the Pružinka, and from the southern foot water flows via the Jasenina stream to the Nitra.

How to get there / routes

• Red trail – the Heroes of the SNP trail from Čičmany or Zliechov.
• Green trail from the village of Briestenné.
• Marked trail from Pružina – the route of the traditional annual ascent of Strážov.

All these trails meet at the Lúka pod Strážovom meadow (1130 m), from where a separate marked path leads to the summit in less than 15 minutes. Sources give no other official walking times. There are several springs near the summit, but some of them dry up, so carry water.

What you can see from the summit

Thanks to its height and position, Strážov offers interesting, far-reaching views. The rocky summit gives an all-round panorama of the surrounding peaks and neighbouring ranges. In good conditions you can see the Malá Fatra, Vtáčnik and Považský Inovec, occasionally even the Kysuce Beskids, Babia Góra and Ostredok. Crosses stand on the summit, including a large double cross.

Nature and history

The whole massif lies in the Strážov Mountains Protected Landscape Area and in the Strážov National Nature Reserve, declared in 1981 on 4.8 km². The massif is carved from a thick layer of Mesozoic limestone and dolomite forming a large nappe: mainly dark-grey Middle Triassic Gutenstein limestone and light-grey Triassic Ramsau dolomite. These rocks used to be classed as a separate Strážov nappe; today geologists see them as part of the Považie nappe (according to newer research, the Ostrá Malenica nappe).

Five tops are distinguished in the massif: northern (1001 m), middle (1063 m), main, western (1025 m) and southern (1104 m). The main summit is rocky and cut on the west by a vertical wall more than ten metres high. The slopes are generally steep, dissected by deep valleys and studded with groups of rocks in many places. The massif hides many caves, mostly developed along vertical cracks. On the western side below the summit lies Jánošíkova jaskyňa, and 200 m south-west of it the Četníková svadba cave, discovered in 2001: cavers have explored about 1300 m of passages and large halls reaching 100 m into the mountain, and in 2013 it was linked with the Strážovská priepasť cave. On the northern slopes, at the boundary of rocks with different resistance to erosion, two Strážov waterfalls have formed.

Safety, season and rules

The summit area is rocky and the west side drops away in a steep wall, so take care near the edge, especially on wet rock or in winter. In the national nature reserve stay on marked trails and do not pick plants. In the Slovak mountains help comes from the Mountain Rescue Service HZS: 18 300 (+421 18 300) or 112.

Interesting facts

• Strážov is one of the most sought-after destinations in the Strážov Mountains thanks to its nature and wide panorama.
• The cave system below the summit is still being explored by cavers.
• A traditional ascent of Strážov from Pružina takes place every year.

Photos: Svetovid, CC BY 3.0; Michal Jakubský, CC BY 3.0; Michal Jakubský, CC BY 3.0; Michal Jakubský, CC BY 3.0; Svetovid, CC BY 3.0 — Wikimedia Commons.