Veľký Kriváň

Mountain High mountain in the Malá Fatra range, Žilina Region

Veľký Kriváň rises in the Malá Fatra range with marked hiking routes, alpine meadows and panoramic views over northern Slovakia-popular on weekend day‑hikes.

Main image

Veľký Kriváň is a mountain in the Malá Fatra range of northern Slovakia, situated in the Žilina Region and rising to approximately 1,709 metres above sea level. It is one of the prominent summits in the range and offers extensive views from its ridge and summit area.

The peak is accessed by marked hiking trails from nearby valleys and mountain huts and is a frequent destination for hikers and mountaineers exploring the Malá Fatra National Park area. Terrain includes alpine meadows and rocky summit sections.

The mountain sits within the Žilina Region of northern Slovakia, forming part of the central massif of the Malá Fatra range.

  • Elevation: The summit elevation is about 1,709 metres, making it one of the notable peaks of the Malá Fatra range and a common objective for day hikes.
Veľký Kriváň
49.1884, 19.0306

How to Get to Veľký Kriváň #

Veľký Kriváň is in the Malá Fatra mountain range (Žilina Region). The usual approach is to drive from Žilina to the Terchová/Štefanová area (about 25-35 km, roughly 30-40 minutes by car) and park at the village or trailhead; from there marked hiking trails lead to the summit and the ascent typically requires several hours on foot, so be prepared for a mountain hike.

Best Time to Visit Veľký Kriváň #

Best in summer for safe, comfortable hikes; spring and autumn are quieter but cooler, and winter is snowy and technical.

Summer (hiking)
June-August · 5-18 °C (summit)
Best time for hiking with the most stable weather and clear views, though mountain temperatures stay cooler than lowlands.
Spring/Autumn
May & September-October · 0-12 °C
Cooler conditions with fewer visitors; trails can be muddy in spring and increasingly cold in autumn.
Winter
December-February · -10-0 °C
Cold with significant snow and ice; winter ascents require mountaineering experience and equipment.

Weather & Climate near Veľký Kriváň #

Climate

Veľký Kriváň's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 15°C. Abundant rainfall (1366 mm/year), wettest in June.

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
33°
Warmest Month
-29°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -4°C and lows of -10°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

25 Poor

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-10° -4°
96%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
7.8 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.5h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -10°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

31 Poor

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-10° -3°
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
7.3 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.9h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -7°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

31 Poor

Comfort

-4°
Feels Like Freezing
-4°C
Temperature
-7°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
6.9 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
6.3 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.6h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (135 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

135 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
15.2h daylight

June

June is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (171 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

171 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
16.0h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (152 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

152 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
15.6h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (157 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

157 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
14.2h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (114 mm), partly cloudy skies, and breezy conditions.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

114 mm
Rainfall
6.0 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

81 mm
Rainfall
6.9 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.6h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -5°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

29 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-5°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
7.6 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -8°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

29 Poor

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-8° -3°
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

113 mm
Rainfall
7.8 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.0h daylight

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