Hotels in Fačkov: Kľak, Hiking and Winter Sports

Fačkov lies at the transition between the Strážov Mountains and the southern part of the Little Fatra in the Rajčianka Valley. The landscape ranges from protected natural areas to marked opportunities for hiking, cycling and winter sports. Kľak is designated as a national nature reserve and is subject to the fifth level of protection.

Nature

The Kľak site of European importance, coded SKUEV0240, covers 85.71 hectares. It includes the cadastral areas of Fačkov and Vrícko. Kľak provides a habitat for large predators such as bears, wolves and lynxes. The protection designation, the area size and the two included cadastral areas give this natural area a clearly defined geographical and legal classification.

Hiking, Cycling and Winter Sports

Fačkovské sedlo Ski Arena has four ski lifts and seven ski runs with a total length of 5.8 km. There is also a children's lift with an easy ski run. The ski and snowboard school at Fačkovské sedlo teaches children and adults, from complete beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders. With artificial lighting, the ski arena offers night skiing.

A 15 km cycling route runs through the local countryside at Fačkovské sedlo Ski Arena. Along the route, there are various rest areas and information boards about the local fauna and flora. A hiking route over Kľak leads from the car park at Fačkovské sedlo to Fačkov. It is 12 km long, has an elevation gain of 549 metres and takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. The trail alternates between meadows and forest on a well-trodden path.

The Klub slovenských turistov Kosodrevina Fačkov announced the 35th edition of its summer ascent of Kľak for 5 July 2025.

Culture and Local History

Fačkov is first mentioned in written records concerning a settlement in 1351. Fačkov's women's folk costume included a white, gathered skirt, an apron made of blue-print fabric and embroidered white sleeve pieces.

The Church of Saint Nicholas in Fačkov dates from the 17th century and was given a Baroque makeover between 1788 and 1792. It is a single-nave building with a projecting block tower. The surviving architectural features include Baroque windows with wrought-iron grilles.

Every year at Christmas, a folk group accompanies Holy Mass in Fačkov with accordion and singing. A folk group also sings Slovak folk songs and traditional songs from the municipality of Fačkov that were collected and made available by older generations.

Cuisine and Getting There

Salaš Kľak at Fačkovské sedlo serves traditional Slovak cuisine made from regional ingredients. These include bryndzové halušky, gazdovské halušky, strapačky and pirohy. There is also a bus stop at Fačkovské sedlo, served by a bus route on the Žilina–Prievidza line.

Other Local Pages

Other local pages: Kunerad, Lietavská Svinná-Babkov, Jasenové, Strecno, Kamenná Poruba, Sillein, Rajecke Teplice, Dlhé Pole.

To the main travel overview: Žilina District.