Ascent of Rakytov via the Limba Shelter

Start of the ascent to Rakytov

Follow the yellow trail into Teplá dolina, along a gently rising asphalt road. After a few minutes, you’ll pass a very strong spring flowing from a pipe on the left side of the road. Here begins a short section with rocky walls on both sides of the valley, known as the Teplý potok gorge.

Farther up the valley, you’ll pass the forest lodge below Parohy, beyond which the entire summit of Rakytov briefly comes into view. At the nearby forest-road junction, keep right, and after a few minutes turn left across the stream and begin a steep climb up the slope. In the next section, the path changes direction several times, so keep a close eye on the yellow trail markers. Later you’ll cross a logging track several times, until eventually joining one and reaching the meadow below the Limba shelter.

Limba shelter

Limba (1,215 m) is a charming little mountain hut with a pond, a spring, and outdoor seating. It is open year-round, and besides tea, coffee, or beer, there is usually some food on offer as well. For a symbolic €5, you can spend the night at Limba on a mattress in your own sleeping bag, or in an emergency on your own sleeping pad in the dining room. The area around Limba radiates peace and calm, enhanced by beautiful views of the ridge of the Low Tatras.

Ascent to Rakytov

Continue behind the shelter into the forest, where a short but steep climb will test your legs before you reach the grassy slopes of Rakytov. You’ll then traverse them with a gentle ascent and fine views on your right all the way to North Rakytov Saddle (1,415 m). In good visibility, this saddle offers the first views of Malá Fatra and the Turiec branch of the Veľká Fatra ridge. Turning left onto the green trail begins the final ascent to Rakytov, at first through low conifer growth and later across grassy slopes.

The view from the summit of Rakytov (1,567 m) is truly worth all the effort: directly ahead rises the highest section of the Veľká Fatra ridge with the peaks Čierny kameň, Ploská, Borišov, Ostredok, and Krížna. In the distance, besides the already mentioned Low Tatras and Malá Fatra, you may also spot the Western Tatras and the western part of the High Tatras with unmistakable Kriváň. A metal summit panorama marker helps with orientation.

The descent from Rakytov is fairly steep in places and, besides grassy slopes, also passes through a small rocky gate, beyond which the meadows of South Rakytov Saddle (1,295 m) open up. The trail then traverses a smaller hill through the forest and after about twenty minutes begins a steep climb to Minčol (1,398 m). From the summit it gradually descends across a large mountain meadow to the forest and the junction at Saddle below Čierny kameň (1,266 m). A short distance beyond the junction is a spring where you can refill your water.

Descent to Revúce

From the ridge, begin descending on the red trail along a path that alternates between meadows and beech forest. At first it only drops gently as it traverses below Čierny kameň, whose rocky walls can be seen behind you, and later it descends more steeply toward two shepherds’ huts.

Right by the huts, turn right onto a faint and poorly marked path and descend to the valley bottom to the stream. Cross it, then continue across the meadows above it until you reach the first houses in Stredná Revúca. The red trail leads you to the church at the junction with the main road. Turn right there, and in a few minutes you’ll be standing at the bus stop opposite the pub.

Search connections| Search connections to the mouth of Teplá dolina

Useful info

Transport

Take the train to Ružomberok. Opposite the railway station is the bus station, from where a bus to Liptovské Revúce runs every hour or two. Get off at the stop between Liptovská Osada and Nižná Revúca. In timetables, look for the stop “Lipt.Revúce, Nižná Revúca, r.Teplô”.

Search connections

By car, you also go via Ružomberok, then turn toward Donovaly and Banská Bystrica. In Liptovská Osada, turn right for Liptovské Revúce. The mouth of the valley is on the right-hand side about two kilometres beyond Liptovská Osada. There is no designated car park here; people usually park along the edge of the road leading into the valley.

Itinerary

forester’s lodge before Teplá dolina Limba shelter (1:45) North Rakytov Saddle (2:20) Rakytov (2:50) South Rakytov Saddle (3:30) Saddle below Čierny kameň (4:15) Stredná Revúca (5:45)

Water and refreshments along the way

spring at the start of Teplá dolina, spring at the Limba shelter, spring near the Saddle below Čierny kameň

Alternatives

• If you’re not in a hurry and want to soak up as much of the Veľká Fatra atmosphere as possible, you can spend the night at the Limba shelter (www.utulnalimba.sk) for a symbolic €5. Up to 15 people can sleep here on mattresses in their own sleeping bags.
• If you still have enough energy and time, you can extend the hike from the Saddle below Čierny kameň on the green trail to Ploská Saddle (0:45), then continue on the green trail up to the broad summit of Ploská (1:15). Return to Ploská Saddle (1:35), then descend on the yellow trail across meadows with shepherds’ huts to Vyšná Revúca (3:00).