The third-highest peak of the Western Tatras stands alone off the main ridge, which earned it the nickname 'Peak of Liptov'. The summit offers a 360-degree view of the Western, High and Low Tatras, and down onto the Liptov Basin.
Route length
6.4 km one way
12.8 km round trip
12.8 km round trip
Elevation gain
1,359 m
Time (one way)
~3:30 h
Difficulty*
3/5
Trailhead
Žiarska Valley entrance (900 m a.s.l.)
📍 GPS parking
N 49.14460°, E 19.69961°
🔗 Route on Mapy.com
Elevation profile (podľa publikovaných dát trasy, nie z GPX)
Route breakdown
| 1 · Žiarska Valley entrance 905 m · 0.0 km · 0:00 h | Starting point — the route begins here. |
| 2 · Holý Vrch 1750 m · 4.2 km · 2:15 h | The route passes over Holý Vrch — from here it continues along the ridge via Kečka all the way to the summit. |
| 3 · Baranec 2185 m · 6.4 km · 3:30 h | Baranec summit — the end of the route. |
ℹ Practical info
| 🅿 Parking | Žiarska Valley entrance — paid car park |
| 💧 Water | Not available on the route — bring an adequate supply (the route via Holý Vrch does not pass any hut) |
| 🏠 Hut | None directly on the route (Žiarska Hut is only on the loop variant via Žiarske Saddle) |
| 🚡 Cable car | No |
| ❄ Ascent season | Exempt from the general winter closure — the route via Holý vrch remains accessible year-round. Nevertheless, avalanche risk exists in winter and spring — check current conditions at hzs.sk. |
| ☀ Best time | June — October |
| 🧭 Orientation | Marked trail, the north side is steep, not suitable in winter without experience |
| 🎨 Trail marking | 🟡 yellow (whole route, Žiarska Valley entrance → Holý Vrch → Baranec) |
| 🔄 Descent | Same route back |
| 🔗 Combination | Can be combined with Plačlivé via Smrek peak and Žiarske Saddle — 🟡 yellow (via Smrek), 🟢 green (Žiarske Saddle → Žiarska Hut, via Pod Homôlkou), 🔵 blue (Žiarska Hut → valley) — approx. 17 km together, a technically more demanding section on Smrek. |
| 🚨 Emergency number | Mountain Rescue Service: 18 300 (or 112) |
What to bring
🎒 Hiking boots
🎒 Trekking poles
🎒 Waterproof jacket
🎒 Water (min. 2 l)
🎒 Food / energy bars
🎒 First aid kit
🎒 Warm layer
🎒 Map / GPS / phone
⚠ What to watch out for
- Weather in the Tatras changes quickly — check the forecast and turn back if a storm approaches.
- Even with the exemption from the winter closure, increased avalanche risk applies in winter and spring — check current conditions at tatry.sk or hzs.sk.
- Bring an adequate supply of water — refill points may not be available on high-mountain routes.