Total length: 21,36 km
Height a.s.l: 697/697
Walk time: 05:30
Bike time: 02:45
Smrečany – Žiar – Salaš Žiar (Sheep Farm) – Žiarska dolina, ústie (valley mouth) – Žiarska chata (cottage) – Cemetery – Šarafiový vodopád (waterfall) and back
Another very nice route begins in the village in Smrečany. Already mentioned Gothic Church of Presentation of the Lord (in honor of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary), which foundations were built in 1349, is the oldest preserved construction in Smrečany. Do not miss even the museum, a permanent exhibition „History and prominent personalities of the village“. It presents visitors a total cross-section of the history of the village of Smrečany associated with displays of traditional folk crafts, work instruments, costumes, old documents, photographs and so on. From the „village spruces“ continue to the village of Žiar.
Before entering the Žiarska Valley, take a breath at the Sheep Farm “Žiar”. The traditional wooden restaurant with lots of accessories reminiscent of ancient times of alpine farming provides a homely environment, sitting by a fireplace and a good cuisine. After this short break you can continue the journey through the Žiarska Valley up the Žiarska Cottage (1,325 m asl.). The Žiarska cottage is a gateway to the very popular tourist area Žiarska Valley, Roháče and the Western Tatras. It is the only alpine cottage in the Western Tatras, located at the end of some of its valleys, and accessible from the Liptov region side. It is not only a place of relaxation and a starting point for mountain hikes, but also a place where a lot of human lives have been saved. The cottage was completely refurbished in 2006. Now it is in full operation and provides visitors with complete accommodation and catering services. It is open non-stop.
The Žiarska Valley attracts visitors by a symbolic cemetery of the victims of mountain accidents in the Western Tatras, which was established in 1995 in the locality Krášnô under the hill Príslop. The memorial site consists of a wooden gate, a sculpture, a cross with a bell and a central rock with names of people who didn´t return from their tours. Memorial tables of individual tragedies are placed on the rocks around. From the cottage take a fifteen minute walk along a green marked path towards the Jalovecké saddleback which will lead you to a place behind the cemetery. The place is called Šarafiový vodopád (Šarafi Waterfall) where a group of waterfalls is located. From the sidewalk at the top you can see the bottom terrace. There are several routes leading from the Žiarska Cottage. You can choose one of the marked hiking trails leading from the Žiarska Cottage up to Plačlivô, Ostrý Roháč or other mountain peaks, or you can return back to the valley. Riding a scooter down the valley will be a great experience for you. You can rent them at the Žiarska Cottage. There is a brook Smrečianka running through the valley, and you can watch rich flora and fauna. You can see sheep and cows grazing on meadows, and admire the majestic peaks of Mt Baranec, Tri kopy, Baníkov, Príslop and others. The valley provides ideal conditions for cross-country skiing and alpine touring in winter, and significant alpine races take place here, too.
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