After visiting Oravský hrad we drove to Národný park Malá Fatra | Malá Fatra National Park for the popular Jánošíkove diery hike, a series of three interconnected loops that incorporate ladders & platforms transiting several gorges. With only enough daylight to complete two loops (our “turn around” alarm had 4min spare!) we found the meadowed sections of the 8km/ 3h rtn hike more appealing for some variety (📷1&2); saw deer in the woods.

We then broke one of our #vanlife rules: Don’t arrive on pitch after dark. We ended up bailing on our initial choice—after taking an unpaved road with poor visibility, tight corners, steep angles, vague parking directions & new charges.

Next morning from Súľov-Hradná under overcast skies we accessed the Súľovské skaly | Súľov Rocks nature trail. A steep climb leads to the Gotická brána | Gothic Gate conglomerate formation (📷3). In our haste to pass a large, slow-moving group we missed the turning to the ruins of Súľovský hrad | Súľov Castle; the trail decending from here was poorly maintained & outright dangerous. Once back in the village we could zoom in on what little remains of the medieval rock castle, built late 13th/ early 14th C. & plundered for stone to build local houses after its destruction in the 18th C. (📷4). 6km/ 2.5h rtn to pitch.

🇸🇰 #slovakia 🚐 #campervan 🚀 #travel 🥾 #hiking