Banówka (Baníkov)

Banówka (2,178 m a.s.l.) is the highest peak on the main ridge of the Western Tatras. It is a mountain whose character is more reminiscent of Orla Perć or Świnica than the gentle, grassy peaks of the Czerwone Wierchy. The Banówka ridge is sharp, rocky, highly exposed and secured with chains.

💡 In a nutshell – Banówka:

1. Western Tatras with chains: These are not gentle, grassy hills. The ridge of Banówka and Tri kopy is sharp, precipitous, and requires climbing with your hands.
2. Long loop: The full route from the Žiarska Valley car park is over 20 km and nearly 10 hours of walking.
3. Scooter for the return: The tarmac descent from Žiarska chata to the car park can be covered on a rented scooter.
4. Winter closure: The red ridge trail is closed from 1 November to 31 May. Remember your insurance for Slovakia!

It is a fantastic, adrenaline-filled slog for experienced hikers who do not have a fear of heights and are looking for technical challenges on the Slovak side of the Tatras.

Trail description: Loop via Plačlivý and Hrubá Kopa

The figures at the top of the page show an epic loop from the mouth of the Žiarska Valley. It is a long route (over 20 km!) that will take you the whole day.

Stage 1: Žiarska Valley and the Hut

We start from the car park at the mouth of the Žiarska Valley.

• We choose the blue trail, which follows the tarmac road along the valley floor. After about 1.5 hours we reach Žiarska chata (the Žiarska Hut). This is a good place for breakfast before attacking the ridge.

Stage 2: To Žiarske sedlo and Plačlivý

From the hut we take the green trail to Žiarske sedlo (Žiarska Pass). Here the green ends and the rock begins.

• From the pass we turn onto the yellow trail, and then the red, climbing Plačlivý (Plačlivý Roháč, 2,125 m a.s.l.). From here the real excitement and exposure begin.

Stage 3: The sharp ridge (Chains!)

From Plačlivý we set off along the red ridge to the west.

• We pass through Smutné sedlo, Hrubá Kopa and the famous Tri kopy (Three Domes).
• This section is a continuous climb and descent. The ridge is narrow, the drop on both sides is massive, and the rock can be loose. You will find a lot of chains here, which require arm strength and confidence.
• After over 2 hours of fighting on the ridge, we stand on the summit of Banówka.

Stage 4: Descent

From the summit we descend via the green trail back to Žiarska chata.

• The beginning of the descent is very steep and also secured with a chain. Lower down the path becomes gentler. From the hut we return by tarmac to the car park.