Summer in Jasná and on Chopok: Lifts, Hikes and Attractions in the Demänovská Valley
Jasná in the Demänovská Valley is known as the largest ski resort in Slovakia – but once the snow melts, it turns into one of the most beautiful summer destinations in the Low Tatras. Lifts carry you comfortably up to Chopok, the starting point for ridge hikes with sweeping views; a nature trail leads through the valley past a mountain lake and caves; and there are plenty of attractions for families with children. In this article, we’ll walk you through the best things to experience in summer in Jasná, on Chopok and around the Demänovská Valley – and at the end, we’ll reveal why it’s worth coming back in winter, too.
Lifts to Chopok from the North and the South
Chopok (2,024 m a.s.l.) is the best-known peak in the Low Tatras, and in summer you can get up there comfortably by lift – from both sides of the mountain, in fact. You don’t have to be an experienced hiker: a gondola takes you to the top, and from there you can continue on foot only as far as you feel up to.
For the more adventurous, there is of course also the option of hiking up Chopok on foot, from either the south or the north. From both sides, the route is roughly 4.5 to 5 km long, and you need to reckon with an elevation gain of around 900 m.
Lift to Chopok North – from Biela Púť in the Demänovská Valley
On the northern, Liptov side, the main base station is Biela Púť, right in Jasná. From there, connecting lifts take you up to Chopok via the Priehyba mid-station. On the way up, views gradually open up over the Liptov Basin, the Liptovská Mara reservoir and the High Tatras opposite – and you’re not even at the summit yet. Biela Púť is also the best starting point if you want to combine your day with the attractions near the valley station.
Lift to Chopok South – from Krupová and Srdiečko
From the south side (from the Horehronie region), you can reach Chopok from the Krupová base station on two modern gondolas via Kosodrevina. Lower down on the south side lies Srdiečko, from where a chairlift runs up to Kosodrevina. The south side is quieter and a great choice if you prefer a less busy setting.
One Lift Ticket, Both Sides of Chopok
The best part is that a single ticket lets you enjoy both sides of the mountain. The combined ride takes you on as many as five different lifts along the route Biela Púť – Priehyba – Chopok – Kosodrevina – Krupová and back the same way. That way you get to know the north and the south in one go, without having to walk a single metre if you don’t want to. During the main summer season, the lifts run daily (in 2026 from 8:30 to 17:00), but operation depends on the weather – it’s best to check current times and prices in advance on the resort’s website.
At the Top of Chopok: Rotunda and Kamenná chata
When you step off the lift, an almost 360-degree view awaits you – in good weather you can see as far as the High Tatras, Liptov and Kráľova hoľa. And the summit of Chopok isn’t just about photos: you’ll find two places here that are an inseparable part of it.
Rotunda – the Panoramic Restaurant at the Summit
Right on the crest of Chopok stands Rotunda, a panoramic restaurant with a terrace from which the whole panorama lies spread out before you. You can enjoy a hot meal or a coffee and cake here, along with a view that most restaurants can’t offer. On the terrace, you’ll also find a statue of Demian the dragon – a copper bell is hidden in the throat of one of its heads, and if you ring it, it is said to bring you good luck.
Kamenná chata – the Stone Hut Below Chopok
Just a few dozen metres from the top lift station, right below the summit, stands Kamenná chata pod Chopkom (known locally as “Kamienka”). At an altitude of around 2,000 m, it is the third-highest mountain hut in Slovakia – right after Chata pod Rysmi and Téryho chata in the High Tatras. It originally served as a shelter for the workers who built the lifts; today it is a popular high-mountain hut that is open all year round.
For hikers, Kamenná chata is the ideal place to rest and recharge – the Cesta hrdinov SNP ridge trail (Trail of the Heroes of the Slovak National Uprising) runs past it, as does the traditional hiking route across the entire Low Tatras, so it is a natural stop when traversing the ridge. It offers refreshments as well as overnight stays in a shared dormitory, so if you want to experience the sunrise over the Low Tatras, you can spend the night here. One practical tip: there is no drinking water from the tap at the hut, so plan to buy it there or bring enough of your own.
Hiking Trails from Chopok and Around
Chopok is a great starting point for ridge hikes. The Cesta hrdinov SNP trail passes over it, and depending on how much you feel up to, you can choose anything from a leisurely stroll to a full-day ridge hike. Here’s a quick overview of the most popular easy options:
| Route | Approximate time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| From the summit of Chopok to Dereše and back | under 1 hour | easy |
| Via the Poľany saddle and Tri vody to Biela Púť | approx. 3 h | moderate |
| To Ďumbier and back to Kamenná chata | approx. 2 h | easy |
Leisurely Ridge Walk
If you don’t want to venture too far along the ridge, just take a short walk towards the neighbouring peak of Dereše and the Poľany saddle. You’ll be rewarded with sweeping views to both sides of the ridge, and you can simply ride the lift back down. Ideal if you’ve set out with children or without any big ambitions.
To Ďumbier past Kamenná chata
More experienced hikers can continue from Chopok along the red-marked trail across the ridge all the way to Ďumbier, the highest peak of the Low Tatras. The route passes Kamenná chata and leads over the Demänovské sedlo saddle and Krúpova hoľa, taking roughly 1 to 1.5 hours one way. It’s a relatively easy hike with truly breathtaking views from the two highest peaks of the Low Tatras.
From Chopok Down to the Valley on Foot
A lovely option is to ride the lift up and walk back down. From Chopok, you can descend via the Poľany saddle to Tri vody and then continue past the Vrbické pleso lake back to Biela Púť; the whole route takes about three hours. This way you combine ridge views with a relaxed descent through the valley.
Whatever you choose, keep in mind that up on the ridge it is colder and windier than in the valley, even in summer. Wear sturdy footwear, pack a windbreaker and dress in layers – the weather in the mountains changes quickly.
More Challenging Hikes Around Jasná
You can also reach the summit of Chopok on foot, from both the south and the north. In that case, plan for several hours of hiking and an elevation gain of around 900 m. From Chopok, you can also hike on to the M. R. Štefánik Hut below Ďumbier (Chata M. R. Štefánika pod Ďumbierom), known for its friendly service. The hike to the hut can easily be combined with a route to Ďumbier itself or further on to Čertovica. In the opposite direction from Chopok, a hiking trail leads to the Ďurková mountain shelter, where you can spend the night in a true mountain setting. The peaks of Krakova Hoľa, Poludnica, Demänovská Hora and Siná are also great viewpoints. All of them offer beautiful views of Chopok and the entire Low Tatras ridge.
Demänovská Valley Nature Trail and Vrbické Pleso Lake
If ridges appeal to you less and you’d rather go for a relaxed hike through the valley, try the Demänovská Valley nature trail. It is approximately 13.5 km long and marked in green, and at twelve stops, information boards guide you through the story of the local nature – its geology, fauna, flora and above all the water that has shaped the whole valley over thousands of years. It is moderately demanding (with an elevation gain of around 700 m), so you can manage it even without a high level of fitness – or just walk part of it.
Right at the start of the route lies Vrbické pleso – the largest natural lake of glacial origin in the Low Tatras. A leisurely path with benches runs around it, and there’s even a children’s playground, making it a great place for the whole family to relax. The trail then continues to Brhliská, Záhradky and the Pekná vyhliadka viewpoint, ending at the hut in the Lúčky meadow.
If you’re going with small children, a shorter and easy alternative is the “Story of Water” (Príbeh vody) nature trail. Over roughly four kilometres, it runs along the Demänovka stream and links up with a visit to the Demänovská Ice Cave and the Demänovská Cave of Liberty – children learn about water in a playful way and can dip their feet in a ford along the way.
Demänovská Caves and Other Summer Attractions
The Demänovská Valley is world-famous for the Demänovská Cave System – the longest in Slovakia. Two caves are open to visitors: the Demänovská Cave of Liberty, with rich and colourful dripstone decoration that ranks among the most beautiful in Europe, and the Demänovská Ice Cave with its ice formations. Both are also a great tip for a hot day, when you can pleasantly cool off underground. Check opening hours and admission prices in advance, as they change depending on the season.
And that’s far from everything there is to do in the area:
- Maxiland summer park near Biela Púť – aquazorbing, a big trampoline, a bouncy castle and a carousel for children.
- Mountain carts – an adrenaline-packed ride down the route from Kosodrevina to Krupová on the south side.
- Salaš Priehyba – the highest-lying sheep farm (salaš) in Slovakia, where the sheep return every summer.
- Bike park and cycling trails – located between Biela Púť, Koliesko and Priehyba, where you can take your bike up by lift. More info on the Jasná website.
From Summer Straight into Winter: Jasná as a Ski Resort
When you stroll along the summer paths around Biela Púť, Záhradky or Luková, you’re actually walking through places that come alive in winter as the largest ski resort in Slovakia. The ski traverses you climb towards Chopok in summer turn into slopes in winter – and the same lift that took you up for the views will, a few months later, carry you up to your first turns.
Biela Púť in particular is the heart of beginner skiing – you’ll find gentle slopes and the ski school’s facilities here. So if your summer trip has won you over and you’re thinking of trying winter Jasná on skis, we have the perfect start for you. At the Snowflake Academy ski rental shop, we’ll help you choose and set up gear tailored to you, and with the instructors of our ski school you’ll learn to ski safely and correctly from the very start – whether you’re a complete beginner or just want to improve. We’ve described how to go about it in detail in our articles on how to learn to ski as an adult and how to teach a child to ski.
Jasná and the Demänovská Valley offer much more in summer than you’d expect from a ski resort – lifts to Chopok, ridge hikes, a nature trail past a mountain lake, caves and plenty of attractions for kids. Whether you opt for a leisurely walk through the valley or a full-day ridge hike, the fresh mountain air and the views are well worth it. And when the first snow falls, you’ll know where to come back to – this time on skis.
