Ohnište

Overview

For two reasons, Ohnište, which can be translated as Fireplace, at just 1538m, is one of the most interesting hiking goals in the Low Tatras (Nízke Tatry) range, which is not part of the Tatra Mountains whatsoever but runs south of them, parallelly (east to west), marking the south boundary of the basins of Liptov and Poprad. You might even find Ohnište more attractive than the main ridge, perhaps except for the Ďumbier-Chopok area with its most alpine look, as the former is made of the eccentric limestone and dolomite, whereas the latter is a little lower replica of the Western Tatras formed of crystalline rocks. Ohnište is unique due to its magnificent rock arch which is called Okno (literally the Window) and constitutes one of the most impressive verses of karstic poetry throughout the Carpathian Arc, undoubtedly being the grandest rock arch in the Northwestern Carpathians.

A lone reason for summiting Ohnište can be the fact that it seems more fun to admire part of the spine of the Lower Tatras from a superbly located vantage point than to view the northern swathe of the mountains – composed of the shoulders of the main ridge with their long limestone extensions and valleys that separate them – from up above. However, to enjoy the best of the views and take good photographs of the main ridge, it is advisable to reach the summit early in the morning. Views to the north are non-existent from Ohnište's summit proper as the conifers stand in the way.

The Trail

Passing Brtkovica

Ascending Slemä

Zadná poľana

From the north, a few trails (TH's at: Liptovský Jan, Liptovská Porúbka and Mihalovo) converge at a place called Brtkovica, which is both a vast clearing and a little hamlet of several shepherd huts and little cottages, some of which have been converted into vacation homes or chalets for rent. From Brtkovica, a steep ascent through the forested slopes of Slemä (1514m, part of its limestone cliffs shows up) takes you to its, still densely wooded, summit. Slemä can be considered the north summit of the Ohnište-Slemä Massif. On the way, there's a shelter which was used by Slovak resistance fighters during World War II and at the very top of Slemä lies the wreck of a Russian plane that crashed into the mountain at that time. Having climbed Slemä, the trail winds its way through coniferous forest down to Michalovské sedlo (sedlo = saddle) and Zadná poľana (Rear Clearing). If you're running out of water, there is a spring near there. Until recently it wasn't easy to find (please click the photo of the spring for directions), but now (2017) an arrow fixed to a wooden post shows the way. The green trail continues gently upwards, across the lush meadow, then again through the forest with the first glimpses of Okno, and finally it reaches the edge of another clearing, which is called Prednápoľana (Front Clearing). Here the green trail forks. Now you'll have to make a little round-trip: Take the right turn and follow the path, which turns a bit muddy and runs over plenty of tree roots and some fallen trees. In about twenty minutes, the path will bring you to the summit of Ohnište, where you should find a log book in a metal case on the summit post.

The spring

Okno from N

'Fireplace' in the sun. Okno round the crag.

After returning to the green trail junction at Predná poľana, the other green thread will take you to Svidovské sedlo, over a fairly steep, forested drop (a bit of easy scrambling for those heading in the opposite direction), which is an extension of the bluff below the summit of Ohnište, although it is not a cliff any more. Svidovské sedlo is a pass where marked trails from all four corners of the world intersect. You'll cross a rivulet just before reaching the saddle. If you are in a hurry heading towards Liptovský Jan, look out so as not to walk along the road, which is also a marked bike trail – to make a short cut, follow the blue and yellow marks down across the meadow, and later on along the brook. Access to Svidovské sedlo from the:

Svidovské sedlo (down) and Rovná hoľa (right)

• village of Liptovský Jan: up the valley: about 3 hours; over Slemä and Ohnište: 5.5 hours
• village of Malužiná, bus stop (east of of Ohnište): 1.5 hours
• Demänovska Valley, bus stop (west of Ohnište): less than 4 hours
• nearest huts on the main ridge of the Low Tatras (south of Ohnište ): 4 hours

Maps

The Window

The summit of Ohnište provides an excellent panorama of the crown of the Lower Tatras, over 2,000m in elevation, the rugged Ďumbier drawing most attention. Below a characteristic limestone bluff, a narrow, unmarked path can be seen that leads to the aforementioned rock arch, which is called Okno, i.e. the Window. From the main summit marker a well-trodden path leads to a no entry sign (please see Red Tape), then to a narrower section of the ridge and a little col, where the path to Okno descends to the left to soon land on the section of the route visible from the viewpoint at the summit marker. The narrow path is easy under dry conditions but – given considerable exposure - turns dangerous if icy or covered in snow. A few hundred metres further on there's the trickiest point – a class 3 (YDS) step, about 5m in height: take care – it's slippery, especially when wet; if there is snow, you'd better turn back. Continue down the path and the Window will show quite unexpectedly on your left. This is a beautiful vantage point: the massif of Ďumbier before you towards SW and through the Window you can see the realm of the karst cliffs of Slemä and wild, forested canyons down below. The Window itself does look impressive. Depending how you count it is 10 to 20m tall.

S face of Ohnište shot from Rovná hoľa. Photo by Gorzi

Life All Around

The forest

The locals

Most of the area is covered by fabulous, dense woodland. A range of rare mammals live here, from the big brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) to the tiny northern birch mouse. Quite a few bears inhabit the area and can be run into when least expected. Recently (Sep 2011) I was lucky to see a mama bear and her two cubs dash, obviously frightened, across the road within the boundaries of the resort of Liptovský Ján. On the same day I had seen another bear at the edge of a clearing on the side of the valley facing the Slemä-Ohnište Massif. (More about the bears and whether they can make trouble: here.) Several years before, while we were on the trail to Ohnište for the first time, we spotted a northern birch mouse - we almost treaded on it - scrambling in the same direction on the slopes of Slemä. In between, there are mid-sized species. Once at the bridge across the River Belá, just outside the town of Liptovský Hrádok and ten minutes' walk from the campsite, strange cries, which I thought were birds', caught our ears. To our amazement, it turned out to be two otters playing all across the stream, only the trout, being used as a snack, didn't enjoy the scene whatsoever. 

River Váh at twilight

Red Tape & Warning

The Low Tatra Mountains are protected as a national park. The summit of Ohnište is a nature reserve, where as the Park's site reads: "the fifth degree of protection applies. Besides observation of the above-mentioned laws, it is also forbidden to stray from the marked paths and places, to pick plants and their fruits, to collect minerals and fossils, to destroy vegetation and soil cover, to enter chasms and caves which are not open to the public, to smoke, to make loud noises, or to pollute the area. Visitors to the areas with the fifth degree of protection are allowed to enter these areas only during the day from one hour after sunrise to one hour before sunset." The above means that the path from the summit to Okno has recently been closed (breaking the ban can lead to a hefty fine), which IMHO is simply unfair. NB In Slovakia those who do not carry commercial insurance have to pay for any rescue services rendered by Mountain Rescue Service (HZS).

Camping & Accommodation

A couple of hundred metres east of the spot where the green trail reaches the southern end of Predná Poľana, in the meadow stands an old shepherd's hut, a bit dilapidated. It is a very convenient place to stay for the night if you want to explore Ohnište. There may be some problems though. When I was there (Sep 2011) the roof - of bare wooden boards - was leaking terribly.

There are hundreds of guesthouses and several hotels in Liptovský Jan and the nearby towns and villages of the Liptov region, whose capital is the town of Liptovský Mikulaš. On the outskirts of both the town of Lipt. Hrádok and the national park is Borová Sihoť – an exceptional campsite: fantastic location, friendly staff, hot water 24/7 – no extra fee! Over a suspension footbridge across the River Váh you enter the national park (no gate, no fee), and an interpretive trail greets you right away. If you feel like renting a chalet at the campsite in the summer, you have to book a few months early.

The two villages closest to Ohnište, Malužiná and Nizná Boca, sit in the valley to the east of the mountain. There is a campsite in Malužiná and a hostel in Nizná Boca.

Getting There

The area is easily accessible from the north, by road or rail, which doesn't necessarily mean that the trails are packed with hordes of holiday-makers.  Trains and Buses in Slovakia

Not Only Hiking

Swimming in Liptovský Jan: water temperature 26 degrees Celsius, not packed with people since a huge water park was set up in Lipt. Mikulas. Good beer (lager) - unfortunately not as cheap as it used to be: at least 1 euro for a pint  In winter, some enjoy ski-touring or snowshoeing in the area. There are ski lifts just outside Liptovský Jan and a large ski resort a few km to the west of Ohnište.

The pool

Weather

• Forecast for Liptovský Ján on meteocentrum.cz
• Forecast for Liptovský Ján on AccuWeather

More External Links

• Okno on "Natural Arches"
• Photos of the window as well as of the unmarked path leading to it can be seen here
• Another set of photos: Ohnište, Okno and Slemä
• Refuge on Ohnište described in Slovak