Veľký Kriváň

Veľký Kriváň (Polish Wielki Krywań) is the highest peak of the Lesser Fatra (Malá Fatra) at 1,708 m. It stands on the main ridge of the Krivánska Fatra — the part of the range named after it — in Slovakia's Žilina Region, in the cadastres of Terchová and Turany. The whole summit lies in the Malá Fatra National Park. Its exact height was refined in 2017 by GNSS satellite measurement: 1,708.3 m instead of the former 1,708.7 m.

Its western neighbour is Pekelník (1,609 m); to the east, beyond the Snilovské sedlo saddle (1,524 m), rises Chleb (about 1,647 m). A fore-summit stands on the main crest, while the main top projects about 200 m south of it. Several valleys lie below: the Snilovská valley and the Studenec valley to the south, the Dolina za Kraviarskym and Stará dolina to the north. Kriváň is a grassy summit above the dwarf-pine line with scree fields and bilberry patches; its core is granite, capped by limestone and dolomite. The north-eastern slopes belong to the strict Chleb nature reserve.

Getting there / trails

• By cable car Vrátna – Chleb from the Vrátna valley to Snilovské sedlo (top station about 1,494 m), then on red markings along the ridge to the summit — about 45 min. This is the easiest and most popular way; check the timetable with the operator.
• Green markings from the Vrátna hut via Snilovské sedlo — about 2 h 30 min.
• The red-marked main ridge trail is part of the international E3 route: from Malý Kriváň via Pekelník and on via Snilovské sedlo to Chleb, Stoh and Veľký Rozsutec. The traverse of the Krivánska Fatra ridge is one of the finest mountain walks in Slovakia.

A short path leads from the ridge to the summit, where there is an information board.

The view

From Veľký Kriváň you can see almost the whole Lesser Fatra (only Suchý hides behind Malý Kriváň). In good weather the view opens to Babia hora and Pilsko in the Orava Beskids, Veľký Choč, the Western and High Tatras, many peaks of the Greater Fatra and Low Tatras, Strážov, and to the west Lysá hora, Kněhyně and Smrk in the Moravian-Silesian Beskids, as well as Veľká Rača and other peaks of the Kysuce Beskids.

Nature

Kriváň has a well-developed alpine meadow belt (partly lowered artificially by past grazing), with dwarf pine and mountain forest below. In late spring and early summer the slopes are covered with flowers, including narcissus-flowered anemones. The ridge is home to chamois and marmots, so keep to the path.

Season and rules

In the Malá Fatra National Park you may walk only on marked trails. Kriváň itself and the ridge are open all year, but every year from 1 March to 15 June several nearby trails are closed: the red Medziholie – Veľký Rozsutec – Medzirozsutce, the blue trail from Obšívanka and the blue trail from Vendovka to Malý Kriváň — important if you plan a loop. The ridge is exposed to wind, summer thunderstorms are frequent, and in winter the slopes are avalanche-prone and corniced. Slovak Mountain Rescue Service (HZS): 18 300 (from a foreign phone +421 18 300) or 112.

Photos: Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0; Punteador, CC BY-SA 4.0; Fallaner, CC BY 4.0; Palickap, CC BY-SA 4.0; Lodewicus de Honsvels, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons.