Ďumbier—The Guardian and Highest Peak of the Low Tatras

Of course, this hiking guide wouldn’t be complete without a description of the ascent of the highest peak in the Low Tatras, which is prominently situated along the 78-km-long main ridge. To the west of Ďumbier stand the 2,004-meter-high Dereše and the 2,023-meter-high Chopok; to the east lies the 2,025-meter-high Štiavnica. This means all four 2,000-meter peaks along the main ridge are within sight. Due to its proximity to the cable car (see Option 2), the summit can get crowded on weekends. The route described here is a challenging alternative, largely avoiding the crowds and passing by a mountain hut. Particularly impressive is the landscape shaped by the glaciers, as well as the contrast between the gentle southern slopes of the mountain range and the rocky massif on the northern side of the range, which rises up to 500 m.> From the large parking lot at the Jasná01 ski resort (1,065 m), walk back about 550 m along the access road, then turn sharply left and walk along the roadside for about 1.2 km to the Trangoška bus stop (1,101 m). Alternatively, you can take the bus along the route just described (bus schedules can be found in Tour Description 4). At the bus stop, a trail branches off the road to the east; follow the marked hiking trail to Chata generála Milana Rastislava Štefánika. Ignore a left fork. A long ascent through a narrow valley follows, which requires no further explanation. Where the path ends at a steep gully, the trail continues to the right, leading up a mountainside and over a ridge to the Milana Rastislava Štefánika02 mountain hut (1,740 m). If you walk past the shelter toward the east, the trail branches sharply to the left. This takes you over a saddle, and you begin the ascent along a rocky path. Note: In the past, there was a direct ascent to Ďumbier from the mountain hut, but it was closed for nature conservation reasons. The trail climbs steadily through the southern slopes of Ďumbier. Pay attention! About 1.2 km past the mountain hut, the trail forks. It’s easy to miss this turn! We ignore the trail branching off to the left. The ascent continues uphill to the right along the trail. Once we reach Krúpovo sedlo at an elevation of 1,915 m, we turn sharply right and follow the signs for Ďumbier. The trail leads over a mountain ridge to the summit of Ďumbier03 (2,043 m). To the west and east, you can see along the main ridge of the Low Tatras. To the north, on a clear day, the Western Tatras and the High Tatras rise up. We first return along the same path to Krúpovo sedlo, then continue our hike westward at the trail junction. The next waypoint along the ridgeline is Demänovské sedlo04 (1,767 m). For the next 2.3 km, we climb steadily uphill to one of the most modern mountain huts in Slovakia, the Kamenná chata pod Chopkom. It’s quite expensive by Slovak standards, but it’s very modern, serves delicious meals, and offers a breathtaking view. From the mountain hut, it’s only a few meters to Saddle05 (1,990 m), below Mount Chopok. This is where the hike ends, and we take one of the most modern cable cars in Slovakia—the Krupová-Kosodrevina 15-person gondola by Doppelmayr, which opened in 2016—down to the large parking lot at the valley station.