Stoh and Chleb – Your Little Adventure in Mala Fatra Awaits

If you’re looking for an amazing adventure in Little Fatra, Stoh and Chleb are perfect options for you. If you’ve already experienced the beauty of Mala Fatra once, I know you’ll want to come back for more. You’ll find yourself exploring other peaks and visiting during different seasons, but Mala Fatra will always be on your list.

Štefanová to Stoh and Chleb – A Trip Through Nature

You probably began your Fatran adventure with Wielki Rozsutec and Janosikowe Dier, which was a great start. Those places showcase stunning mountains and nature. When you reached the top and admired the breathtaking panorama, I bet you noticed the nearby sinusoidal ridge of Cudna, right? Well, today, I want to take you on a journey to Mount Stoh and Chleb. If you have enough energy, we can tackle both peaks. If you only want to hike the first peak, the trail will take about 5 hours and 15 minutes.

You may also want to read this: Janosikove Diery (Mala Fatra) – A Hiker’s Guide to Parking, Map and Trail

Shorter Route – Štefanová to Stoh (5h 18 min)

The shorter route covers the following:

• Štefanová
• Medziholie (2h)
• Stoh (1608m, 75 min)
• Stohove Sedlo (17 min)
• Poludnový grúň (54 min)
• Chata na Grún (20 min)
• Štefanová (30 min)

Longer Route – Štefanová to Stoh and Chleb (7h)

For a longer adventure that includes both peaks, the trail will take you less than 7 hours, plus the return to your car:

• Štefanová
• Medziholie (2h)
• Stoh (1608m, 75 min)
• Stohove Sedlo (17 min)
• Poludnový grúň (54 min)
• Chleb (1647m, 83 min)
• Chata Vrátna (57 min)

I think it’s most convenient to leave your car in Štefanová, at the parking lot marked on the map. You’ll need to pay 3€ for a full-day stay (based on the 2022 price list). Once you’ve parked your car, it’s just a short few-minute walk into the village, where you’ll look for the trailhead.

You’ll want to follow the green markers, which will lead you to the right. The trail starts as asphalt but will soon become a forest path near the unique guest house „Chacie pod Lampášom,” located in the middle of the valley. From there, it’s onwards and upwards to the pass.

The Challenge – A Steep Climb Through the Forest

Let’s be honest, starting a hike in the mountains can sometimes be tough, especially when there are no views to keep you motivated. The beginning of this trail is no exception. You’ll face a steep, almost two-hour forest climb that can be quite tedious.

But, if you start early in the morning, you can tackle this part of the trail while you’re still half asleep, almost sleepwalking. Just remember that the section leading to the Medziholie pass might be muddy if it rained the day before.

Although Mala Fatra is a popular destination, don’t expect huge crowds on this trail. Most tourists flock to Brothers Rozsutec and Janosikowe Diery, often treating the green route as a return option. This means the trail is likely to be relatively quiet and empty.

To get a better idea of what to expect on the trail, take a look at the first photo above. This showcases Stoh and the main ridge of Little Fatra in Kryvan.

Stoh Peak – Rewarding Climb

A great spot for your first break is the wide Medziholie pass, which roughly translates to „a place between halls”.This name has historical connections to sheep grazing in Mala Fatra and the pastures known as „shepherd farms”.Although there aren’t any benches or chairs at the pass, the stunning views will make you forget their absence. You’ll be captivated by the sight of Rozsutec and the surrounding valleys.

Once you’ve had a rest and refueled, it’s time to continue. You might be tempted to take the yellow traversing trail, which eventually meets up with the red trail. Though it may seem faster and less tiring, the elevation gain of over 300 meters and the lack of views as it leads through the forest might make you reconsider.

Instead, I recommend taking the red trail, which, despite being more challenging with 430 meters of ascent, offers countless berries to snack on and breathtaking views. As you leave the forest and follow the scenic path to the top, you’ll reach Stoh Peak in just 75 minutes from the pass.

Exploring the Ridge During a Scenic Stroll

As you reach the domed Stoh Peak, take some time to sit back and lose yourself in the beauty of the surroundings. You’ll find peace and tranquility up there, with nobody to disturb you. Just remember that, in the next 15 minutes, you’ll need to descend almost 390 meters.

The descent can be avalanche-prone in winter, but during other seasons, the row of trees creates a tree tunnel-like path, making the descent more enjoyable. At the pass, you might find the knee-high sign at Stohove Sedlo amusing, as it’s often shorter than the surrounding grass.

You may also want to check this article: Slovak Paradise Trip – Trail Routes, Accommodation and Parking

An Hour-long Walk to Poludňový Grúň

From here, you’ll embark on a relatively easy, hour-long walk to Poludňový Grúň. This spot is important because if you choose the shorter route (only Stoh), this is where you’ll turn down the steep path towards „Chaty na Grúni”.It’ll take you about an hour to return to your car. Just remember to switch from the yellow trail to the blue one at the shelter by turning right.

For those who want to continue marching along the ridge „above the abyss, without chains, without hesitation!”, you’re in for a treat. We may have exaggerated slightly about the gaps, but the views are truly incredible and will bring immense joy.

The photo below captures the scene from the yellow trail towards Chata na Gruni. The reflection is more or less at the spot where the path reaches its highest point on the visible ridge (on the left side of the photo). The next part of the journey is reserved for those who are enticed by the full adventure.

The Third Highest Peak of Mala Fatra

Feeling tired yet? You still have a few ascents to conquer as you follow the main ridge of Kryvanska Mala Fatra. But don’t worry, the captivating scenery will make the time fly. In about 1.5 hours, you’ll reach Chleb, the third highest peak of Mala Fatra and the highest on today’s trip at 1647 meters above sea level.

The descent to Vrátna will take about an hour, or you can treat yourself to a gondola ride down. After such an adventure-filled day, you deserve some relaxation and luxury. The Chleb-inclusive route adds 1.5 hours to your journey, plus the time to return to your car at the end.

Heading Back from Stoh

While there’s a one-and-a-half-hour trail from Vratna to reach your car in Stefanova, you have other options too. CSAD buses serve this route (search for the stop: Terchová, Vrátna výťah – a ticket costs around €1). Alternatively, you can take the melex train connecting both points or try hitchhiking. The 5 km stretch is popular with locals, who are often willing to give a lift. For me, the choice was simple – we decided we had enough for the day.

I understand that the more you explore, the more you’ll crave adventure. If you find yourself near the cable cars at Snilovské sedlo and still have the energy, consider a quick summit attack on Veľký Kriváň, the highest peak in Mala Fatra. It’ll take 40 minutes to ascend and just 20 minutes to descend. The sunsets here are truly breathtaking, but we’ll save that for another post.

Note: You could reverse the trip, take the cable car, hop on Veľký Kriváň, tackle Chleb, and then relax. This option is quite tempting. The price for the top-bottom ticket during the 2023 holiday period is €11.5. Find more information on the operator’s website e-shop.

If you’re up for it, we recommend saving time and energy by taking the cable car to the ridge. From there, let your heart soar and simply enjoy the breathtaking views instead of exhausting yourself on the climbs.

References:

• https://www.vratna.sk/en
• http://forum.turystyka-gorska.pl/viewtopic.php?t=1416
• https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoh_(Ma%C5%82a_Fatra)