Krížna from Horný Jelenec

Krížna is the third highest peak of Veľká Fatra after Ostredok and Frčkov. It lies in the Hôľna Fatra subrange, on the main ridge, and at the summit there is a military communication facility with transmitters. From the top of Krížna there is a panoramic view in all directions.

Climbing to Krížna from the settlement Rybô is a real challenge even for the most skilled cyclists. We experienced it ourselves and indeed, the route "inscribed" itself into our legs and also into our hearts. We recommend starting the bike ride from Banská Bystrica to the Šachtička resort, from there to the cycling crossroads by Permoník and along the yellow cycling trail through a pleasant forest track we reach the village of Jelenec. Our route actually starts at the beginning of the asphalt road leading to the settlement Horný Jelenec. We get on our bikes and start covering the first kilometers along Dekret rock. The path goes beside a stream, a rock gorge where the insurgent film Vlčie diery was shot, and picturesque Slovak cottages. There is plenty to see. From the settlement Rybô past the memorial of the avalanche disaster of 1924, which buried 18 people and miraculously let a small boy Strmeň survive, we leave civilization and begin to enter true wild nature. The initial asphalt gradually changes to a broken path, gravel, and forest track. We stop several times to rest our hands and catch our breath properly. Looking at the huge avalanche bowl forming the end of the Horný Jelenec valley with Krížna on top, we remain amazed. Veľká Fatra is not to be underestimated, not only in terms of elevation but also in impressions it offers. Before the Rybov shelter, a sign warns us of dogs, but fortunately, we meet none as the shelter is uninhabited. The route from the Horný Jelenec valley starts to climb strongly towards Líška. In this section good strength and technical cycling skills are needed because potholes will test your stability and endurance. Gasping for breath we come to the final part, which can only be managed on two wheels by the most fit. The summit goal is the arrival at the military transmitter on Krížna, the target of today’s route at an altitude of 1574 meters above sea level. The vigorous twelve kilometers are behind us and the reward is panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.