To the Baranec Peak from the Žiarska Valley
Situation: The Západné Tatry Mts.
Classification: Demanding high-mountain tour with steep and difficult ascent to Baranec Peak. Low visibility may cause by the bad weather conditions difficult orientation on the crest between the Baranec Peak and Žiarske Saddle. Past the Žiarska cottage, where there is possibility of refreshment and accommodation for tourists, the route is quite easy.
Total: 7¼ hour
Starting Point: Žiarska valley
Finishing point: bus stop, car park
Elevation gain: 1304 m
Map: Liptov-turist map (1 : 100 000)
Time table: Žiarskej Valley – Stará stávka 1½ hour – Baranec 2 hours – Smrek ½ hour – Žiarske Saddle ½ hour – Malé Závraty crossroads ½ hour – Žiarska cottage 1 hour – Žiarska Valley 1¼ hour
Basic route: From the Žiarska Valley (880 m) set out on the yellow marked tourist trail (8618). Along the asphalt road you reach crossroads, where you turn to the forest trail. You ascent through switchbacks on the spruce forested slope and come to the crest of Stará stávka Peak (1299 m), which is ascending to the northeast. The shelter, standing on the place where the trail surpasses the upper forest border, invites to have a rest. Here you can enjoy the view on the Liptovská dolina Valley and continue ascending the crest on which scree alternates with dwarf-pines. Higher above, the dwarf-pines disappear and the landscape changes to cleared areas where cattle and sheep used to feed intensively on the pastures. A stony path will lead you to the highest point of the Baranec Peak (2184 m). Unique view from the third highest peak of the Západné Tatry explains why the peak is visible from the whole Liptov region. Turning to the north you can see Roháče Mountains with the Baníkov Peak. As you continue through the crest of the Smrek Peak (2072 m) and descend to Žiarske saddle (1917 m), the Roháče Mountains are still closer and closer. If you feel like, you can continue along the crest to the near rock cone of Plačlivé (2125 m). The basic route is descending from the saddle to Malé Závraty, where the green mark trail (5610) joins the blue mark (2707), which is descending to Smutné Saddle. The Baníkov Peak (2178 m) dominates the right side in the upper part of Žiarska Valley. Usual ascent trail to the top of Banikov Peak from Ziarske Saddle (1300 m) through Jalovecké Saddle is not part of this route. On the way to the Ziarska Valley you will definitely not reject the possibility for refreshment in reconstructed Žiarska cottage. Nearby, you can visit monument to the victims of accidents in the Západné Tatry. Even in the dusk, a comfortable road with blue mark will lead you safely to the finishing point.
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