Baníkov, 2178m, Banówka in Polish (słow. Baníkov, n.p.m.), is one of the most prominent peaks of the Western Tatras and the tallest located on the ridge itself.
Made of granite, it is also the hightst of the Slovak region of the Western Tatras that we call "Roháče".

Its name probably derives from the Slovak word "banik" or "bana", which mean a miner and a mine respectively, as a couple of centuries ago, the Tatra Mountains were prospected for iron ore.

Baníkov is a very proud peak, with one gentle slope on the south side, and one abyss on the North, overlooking the valley Rohačká Dolina. It tousles some dreadful jagged pinnacles here and there on the border.

The tourist route goes slightly below, where there is no exposure, but some fixed chains ensure the passage of the walker.

Getting There

- Rohačká Dolina starting point:
From Poland, cross to Slovakia at the road toll at Sucha Hora, to reach Oravice and Zuberec. From Slovakia, reach Zuberec via Zilina and Dolný Kubín.

- Jamnická or Žiarska Dolina starting points:
From Poland, very long way... from Krakow, prefer the border point at Chyżne. From Silesia, choose Korbielow or Rajcza/Novot. Reach Dolný Kubín and circumvent Tatras. From Slovakia, via Dolný Kubín and Liptovsky Mikulas.

- By public transports, all points mentioned above are reachable by bus from Liptovsky Mikulas or Zuberec

Red Tape

The hiker must know that offtrails in Slovakia is tolerated only for mountain-climbing when accompanied by a registered mountain guide, or holding a licence of UIAA club.
But not all zones. Natura 2000 zones are strictly forbidden.
The north side of Baníkov, with the area of the lakes of Rohačká Dolina is such zone.
However, Baníkov is served by many very convenient official trails so that offtrails is not really required, and I discourage one to try. It would be a very stupid way to get fined, or, even worse, leaving down the ridge offtrails, a very good way to put itself into danger, blocked in front of some unexpected precipice.

Routes

Baníkov can be visited in several ways. Here are 3 loops from different valleys:

* Loop via Žiarska Dolina:
Reach Žiarska Chata, in which you can spend the night the evening before. Take the green trail climbing west to Jalovecké Sedlo, and follow the ridge to the top of Baníkov. Leave it following east the ridge to Hrubá Koba and Tri Kopy. You can descend to the hut via Smutné Sedlo, or, if you feel like, extend the hike till Plačlivý, returning via Žiarské Sedlo. In this case, the loop might be more appropriate in the opposite direction, as you might spend more time on Plačlivý.

* Loop via Jalovecká Dolina:
From the entrace of this valley near Jalovec, follow the yellow trail till
Rázcestie do Parichvostou, and the blue to the pass Baníkovské Sedlo. Climb the peak Baníkov and return to the pass, continuing later to Pachoľa, Spálená, until the peak of Salatin. Descend from Salatin back to the valley Jalovecká Dolina, to return to the junction at Rázcestie do Parichvostou.

* Loop via Rohačká Dolina :
It is also possible to visit Baníkov from the north. Many possibilities of loop are possible from there. At the junction with the yellow trail at Rázcestie na Adamculi, climb until Baníkovské Sedlo. Follow the ridge to Baníkov and leave it via Hrubá Koba and Tri Kopy. At Smutné Sedlo, descend back to the valley Rohačká Dolina.
However, if you are quick, it would be a shame not to visit the beautiful lakes Rohačké Pleso. In this case, start the hike with the green trail at Tatliakova Chata, and catch back the yellow descrived above.

Accomodation

* Campsites :
Camping is strictly forbidden in both National parks TPN (Poland) and TANAP (Slovakia).
However there is one campsite near the entrance of the valley Račková Dolina, in Pribylina.

* Mountain huts :

- Chata Zverovka (www.chatazverovka.sk), Rohačká Dolina (near Zuberec), Slovakia. This "mountain hut" is rather a hostel because accessible by road. For this reason, it is adviseable to book it as early as possible.
Note that the hut marked "Bývalá Ťatliakova Chata" on some old maps, upper in the Rohacka valley is not a hut anymore but a place where they sell refreshments in summer.

- Žiarska Chata (http://www.dolinky.szm.sk/chata.htm), Žiarska Dolina (near Žiar), Slovakia. This is a very beautiful newly-rebuilt hut, in a very nice location, with very little frequentation. It's possible to cycle until this place (but no bicycle rental..). This starting point is ideal for the one who wants to climb Volovec together with Ostrý Roháč and Placlivé.

Maps

The excellent online map of Western Tatras on the
Mapytatr website:

External Links

Banówka on Wikipedia, in Polish (I translated some of the informations in the overview section) :
http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ban%C3%B3wka_(Tatry)

English forum on HIKING.SK :
http://hiking.sk/hk/li/forum-english_forum.html

Eric's page about Tatras:
http://h.visentin.free.fr/carpates

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