Via Dereše to Chopok

Ascent to Dereše and Chopok

From the Biela púť trail junction (1,120 m), follow the yellow trail along the reservoir, the parking area, and the bus terminus. Directly opposite the entrance to the bus stop, the route turns right onto a footpath leading into the forest. Passing Vrbické pleso, it brings you to the Mikulášska chata junction (1,135 m), where you turn right and continue on the yellow trail, gradually climbing above the last hotels and resort buildings. Before long, the asphalt ends, and a few minutes later you enter the forest. At the junction at the edge of the woods, keep left. On a small clearing, cross two bridges and continue with a gentle climb up the valley.

The gradient steepens a little before the Tri vody junction (1,375 m). Not far beyond it, you leave the forest and the steep northern slopes of the Low Tatras ridge come into view ahead of you. The final climb to Polany Saddle (1,837 m) is steep, though several switchbacks make it easier. Your reward is a beautiful view of the prominent peaks Kotliská and Skalka to the southwest.

From the saddle, turn left onto the red trail and enjoy a beautiful, easy ridge walk with only a very gentle ascent. In good weather, you will be accompanied by views of the opposite Western Tatras and the neighbouring High Tatras, so the roughly two-and-a-half-kilometre stretch to below Dereše (2,004 m) will pass in no time. Once you reach the area below the summit, the views expand to include Chopok with the upper cable car station just beneath it, and Ďumbier (2,043 m), the highest peak of the Low Tatras.

The summit itself, which looks like a larger pile of rocks, is not accessible. The trail skirts it on the right and descends to the similarly named junction, Dereše. Still following the red trail, continue with a short descent and then a gradual climb again beneath the cable car building to the Chopok junction (1,995 m).

Chopok

Just below the junction stands Kamenná chata pod Chopkom, often simply called Kamienka. Directly above it rises Chopok (2,024 m), a slightly bigger pile of rocks than Dereše. A short path leads to the summit, and it is definitely worth the extra effort. The views in every direction are simply stunning: the majestic massif of Ďumbier to the east, Skalka to the west, and below you the Liptov Basin with the Liptovská Mara reservoir laid out like a map. Farther to the north and northeast lie the Western Tatras and the High Tatras.

From the summit, descend back to the junction by the cable car station, then follow the blue trail down alongside the cable car to the Luková junction (1,678 m), and farther down to the Pod Orlou skalou junction (1,475 m). From there, continue through the forest, later alongside the ski slope, descending to Mikulášska chata, and from there return by the same route to Biela púť.

Useful info

Transport

By car, drive to Liptovský Mikuláš and turn into Demänovská dolina, where you can park in one of the paid parking areas. By train, it is easy to get to Liptovský Mikuláš, then from the bus station (right next to the railway station) take a bus to Demänovská dolina to the final stop.

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Itinerary

Biela púť Mikulášska chata (0:15) Tri vody (1:00) Polany Saddle (2:20) Dereše (3:05) Chopok junction (3:30) Chopok (3:45) Chopok junction (3:55) Luková (4:35) Pod Orlou skalou (4:55) Mikulášska chata (5:40) Biela púť (5:50)

Water and refreshments along the way

Kamenná chata pod Chopkom

Alternatives

• You can shorten the return trip by using the cable car system (A1, A4, B3).
• If you still have enough time, you can extend the hike to Ďumbier (1:30) and descend on the green trail to Lúčky (4:05). From there, take the bus to Liptovský Mikuláš, or back to the starting point at Hotel Grand. See the Ďumbier hike for details.