Hiking Chopok from Jasná: the best route to the top

You can hike Chopok from Jasná in a weekend, and in summer I think it’s the best way to cool off. From the north side you’re in for a lot of climbing. If you run out of steam, the cable car can save you part of the way. I’d stay in Jasná for a few days and combine the hike with the caves in the Demänová Valley.

Quick factsby Milan Bez Mapy

Route

From Jasná on the blue trail, about 6 km with over 900 m of ascent

Time to the top

Usually 2 to 3 hours; we made it in just under two

Where to park

The large car park at the end of the Demänová Valley by Vrbické pleso, a short walk from the start

Difficulty

The north side is harder than the south, and I wouldn’t put children through it. You can take the cable car for part of the way

When to go

In summer, first thing in the morning before the storms. In winter Chopok is usually fogged in, with no views

What to pack

A waterproof jacket or a hoodie. I was glad of mine at the top, even in July

A hike up Chopok from Jasná? Why not. Travelling around Europe in summer is a tough one for me: high prices, crowds and extreme heat. I know not everyone can take a holiday whenever they like, though. So at this time of year I like to stay in Slovakia. I gladly accepted an invitation to cool off in the Low Tatras (Nízke Tatry), and in 2023 I set off for Chopok with my own team.

Hiking Chopok from Jasná: the best route up

Chopok (2,024 m) is the third-highest peak in the Low Tatras. Thousands of hikers reach its summit every year, and skiers too in winter. This time we were among them, so here’s how to hike Chopok from Jasná and what to pack.

You can climb Chopok from two directions: from the south side or from the north side. The hike is a challenge between me and Janka Travelhacker, so we made a proper race of it.

Janka and I each had our own team of people who had signed up. The aim was to reach the summit before the other team. There was a catch, though: each team set off from a different side of Chopok. Who do you think won? Janka Travelhacker and her team started from the southern (Horehronie) side. You’ll find her tips for hiking Chopok from Srdiečko in her own article.

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How to hike Chopok from the north side, starting in Jasná

I set off from the Jasná resort, which lies on the northern slope of Chopok in the Demänová Valley (Demänovská dolina). If you’re arriving in the morning and not staying the night, there’s a large car park at the end of the valley. It’s close to Vrbické pleso, a mountain lake that’s worth a trip of its own. From there it’s a short walk to the start of the trail.

How long and how steep is the Chopok hike from Jasná?

The trail from Jasná to Chopok is about 6 km long, with over 900 m of ascent. On average the hike takes two to three hours. Our inner chamois was wide awake, though, and we made it in just under two. Like us, you’ll have views over the Demänová Valley the whole way up. Which is what hiking is all about.

The route follows the blue waymarks. From the Pod Orlou skalou junction to Luková, the red trail shares the same path. For a longer walk, carry on to Brhlisko, where you join the red trail as far as Luková. Another option is to start at Biela Púť, go via Priehyba and join the red trail near Rovná hoľa, then switch back to the blue trail at Luková.

The SNP Heroes’ Trail also crosses Chopok

Chopok is also on the SNP Heroes’ Trail (Cesta hrdinov SNP), Slovakia’s most important long-distance hiking route, named after the Slovak National Uprising. It runs for 770 km across the whole country, starting at the Dukla Pass and ending at Devín Castle. Maybe we’ll polish that one off next time. At the summit you can choose: back down the north side to Liptov, or down the southern (Horehronie) side towards Srdiečko.

To be honest, the hike up Chopok took it out of us, but the feeling of winning was brilliant. Yes, this time my team won, but that only made it one all, because Janka had won the time before. The one thing better than winning was the endless view of the Tatras from the top of Chopok. And our reward, a sandwich, made up for the thousand calories we’d burned.

Chopok by cable car

The northern (Liptov) route is a little harder than the southern (Horehronie) one, mainly because it has more ascent and a longer distance.

If that sounds like too much, modern cable cars will take you up Chopok from Biela Púť and Priehyba. It’s best to buy your tickets in advance.

What to know before a full-day hike on Chopok

Before any hike I always check the weather forecast and plan around it, even though it’s never 100% accurate. In summer I’d set off first thing in the morning, before it gets too hot, because storms can roll in during the afternoon.

You’ll need proper hiking boots and at least a light waterproof jacket or a hoodie. I was glad of mine at the top of Chopok, even in July. Take enough water and food too.

Chopok in winter

I’ve also climbed Chopok once in winter, but at that time of year it’s known for bad weather and hardly any views. I’d go in spring or summer instead, when you’ll actually see something.

Hiking Chopok with children

Is Chopok a good hike for children? If they’re fit, I think they’ll manage the south side. The north side, though, I personally wouldn’t inflict on them.

The big advantage of starting from the north is how much else there is to do nearby. There are more great hikes, such as carrying on from Chopok to Ďumbier, the highest peak in the Low Tatras. Then there are natural sights like the Demänovská Ice Cave (Demänovská ľadová jaskyňa) and the Demänovská Cave of Liberty (Demänovská jaskyňa slobody), plus attractions for all ages.

That’s why I’d book somewhere to stay in the area and spend a few days here. Jasná is a popular resort, so there’s plenty of choice. In summer there’s nothing better than cooling off in the mountains, and a weekend is enough to do it.

Milan