Veľká Rača. A Slovak mountain adventure where “just a short hike” turns into a climb—and strawberry dumplings save the day.
“Don’t worry, it’s totally easy.”
My trip to Veľká Rača, the highest peak of the Kysuce Beskids in northern Slovakia, brought not only stunning views but also an important life lesson:
Never trust a man who invites you on a hike.
My husband Boris adores the Kysuce region. He knows every trail, every pub that serves perfect cabbage soup, and every shortcut that ends up being twice as long. So when a long autumn weekend came around, we headed to Oščadnica, a small village tucked beneath Veľká Rača (1,236 m).
As fate—or karma—would have it, the mountain is also part of the Slovak hiking challenge “7 Peaks, 3 Lakes.”
The Dedovka Resort: Cable Cars and the Longest Toboggan Run in Slovakia
After a long week, I was exhausted, so I asked Boris to pick an easy route.
And with the confidence of a man who’s never climbed in heels, he said:
“Don’t worry, it’s easy. We’ll take the cable car up to Dedovka, and from there it’s just a short, flat walk to the top. We’ll be there in an hour. Oh, and there’s a Polish mountain hut at the summit where you can get your favorite strawberry dumplings.”
Sounds perfect, right?
Well, almost.
We did take the Dedovka cable car—a four-seater lift that runs on weekends and public holidays even after the main summer season. Luckily, November 1st was a holiday, so it was up and running. A return ticket cost €14 for adults and €12 for kids.
Dedovka is full of attractions. We couldn’t resist and tried the longest toboggan run in Slovakia—a twisting track full of turns, dips, and even a 360-degree loop. I screamed so loudly that I’m pretty sure they heard me across the border in Poland.
We were pulled back up by a ski lift—absolutely worth it.
Hiking from Dedovka to Veľká Rača
When “Flat” Means Uphill. After the adrenaline rush, it was time for our “flat” walk to the top. Except… someone had tilted the flat part.
The trail started gently, but after a few hundred meters I realized my husband’s definition of “easy” was as reliable as a Slovak weather forecast. Still, step by step, with the promise of dumplings in mind, I kept going.
To his credit, Boris was right about one thing—the hike took about an hour.
Panoramas and Strawberry Dumplings at the Summit
At the summit, all the effort melted away. The view opened into a breathtaking panorama of Slovakia and Poland, with rolling hills and the crisp air of the Beskids.
And yes—the Polish mountain hut (Schronisko PTTK) really does serve the most heavenly strawberry dumplings. Boris was forgiven on the spot.
Tips for Visiting Veľká Rača (Slovakia)
- Starting point: Oščadnica – Dedovka Ski Resort
- Cable car: weekends and holidays, €14 return (adult) / €12 (child)
- Toboggan run: the longest in Slovakia, pure adrenaline
- Trail: Dedovka – Veľká Rača (approx. 1 hour, moderate uphill)
- Summit stop: Polish mountain hut with great food and legendary dumplings
- Bonus: sweeping views of the Kysuce region and the Beskids mountains
Visit Slovakia
Veľká Rača proves that even a so-called “easy hike” can turn into a mini adventure—especially when your husband is the one planning it.
But if you’re ready for a bit of a climb, you’ll be rewarded with peace, views, and a reminder that the mountains of northern Slovakia are sweet—quite literally.
