Martinské hole is one of those places that can look completely different in every season. In spring, nature gradually awakens after winter, summer brings long days and distant views, autumn colors the forests under the ridge and in winter the entire landscape takes on a significantly more mountainous character. It is this variability that makes the ridge above Martin a place worth returning to throughout the year.
And it is here that the Turiec Crown leads – a beautiful long-distance tourist project that encircles the entire Turiec along mountain ridges and connects the individual mountain ranges of our region into one large tourist circuit. At Martinské hole you pass through one of the most beautiful parts of the Lúčanská Mala Fatra. Veterné, Veľká lúka, Krížava or Minčol offer pleasant ridge tourism and, in good weather, views far beyond the borders of the Turčianska basin.
From the ridge, on one side we have Martin, Turiec below us and the rising Veľká Fatra opposite. On the other side, the terrain opens up towards the Rajecká Valley and the Žilina Basin. The ridge of Mala Fatra continues northwards and, with good visibility, a truly vast mountain panorama opens up before the tourist.
Great views of the countryside
In spring, Martinské hole gradually changes from a winter landscape to a green mountain ridge. In the lower elevations, nature can already be in full bloom, while in the higher parts the last remnants of snow may still be holding on. This contrast is one of the interesting moments of spring ascents.
Summer is a period of long days, during which a larger part of the ridge can be managed. The open sections around Veľká lúka and Krížava offer wide views and at the same time the opportunity to continue along the ridge towards other peaks of Lúčanská Mala Fatra. However, summer hiking also shows the character of these mountains – on the open ridge the weather can change very quickly and a sunny day can be replaced by wind, fog or storm in a short time.
Autumn is one of the most visually impressive seasons in Martinské hole. The forests under the ridge gradually turn yellow, orange and red, and the view from above of the Turčianska kotlina takes on a completely different atmosphere. The cooler mountain air, colorful slopes, and often very good visibility create conditions for hiking that are worth not only walking, but also stopping and simply looking around.
And then winter comes. The ridge turns into a real winter mountain landscape and familiar places take on a completely different appearance. Snow, frost, wind, and inversion can create beautiful scenery, but they also remind us that even the mountains just above the city require respect and appropriate equipment for the terrain.
More than just one long route
The entire Turiec Cworn is approximately 200 kilometers long and during its passage the tourist climbs more than 10,000 meters in altitude. In one large circuit, it connects the mountain ranges surrounding the Turčianska basin. In our opinion, this is the main idea of the entire project. Turiec Crown is not only a challenge for people who want to complete the entire route at once or over several days. It can be discovered gradually, in individual sections, throughout the year.
Each of its parts offers a slightly different view of Turiec. Sometimes we walk high above the city on an open ridge, other times through forests, meadows or lesser-known corners of the surrounding mountain ranges. Gradually, a picture of the region emerges, which is often completely different from the valley than when we observe it from its surrounding peaks.
Martinské hole is one of the most striking sections in this story. Thanks to the proximity of Martin, it is a natural gateway to Mala Fatra for many. However, it is enough to climb higher to the ridge and the bustle of the city remains far below us. Veterné, Veľká lúka, Krížava or Minčol then show Turiec from a perspective that we simply cannot experience from the valley.
Turiec Cworn is therefore a nice way to gradually get to know not only the individual peaks, but the entire region and the landscape that surrounds it. And the section through Martinské hole is a good example of the fact that sometimes you don’t have to travel far for beautiful mountain hiking. Just set off from Martin up – and the same ridge can be a completely new experience in every season.
