Beskyd

Beskyd is a modest 900-metre peak sitting right on the Czech-Slovak border, directly above the village of Maków (Slovak: Makov) on the Kysuce side. It rises along the main ridge of the Turzovská vrchovina, between two historic border passes: the Bumbálka saddle and Makovský Pass. This is the spot where the landscape of the Moravian-Silesian Beskids meets the Kysuce borderland, and hiking trails on both sides of the frontier have followed this same ridge for decades.

Where exactly is Beskyd located?

The peak straddles the former Čadca district (today's Žilina region, Slovakia) and the Vsetín district (Zlín region, Czech Republic). Its northeastern slopes fall within the cadastre of Maków village, while the southwestern side reaches into the Moravian territory of Velké Karlovice. The summit sits at approximately 49.3935°N, 18.4289°E. The ridge Beskyd belongs to runs from the Bumbálka saddle (870 m, a former border crossing) southeast to Makovský Pass (820 m), where a memorial commemorates the joint struggle of Czech, Slovak, and Soviet partisans during the Slovak National Uprising.

How do you get to Beskyd?

The most convenient starting point is the village of Maków, from which marked trails follow the border ridge. Hikers can also approach from Bumbálka or Makovský Pass — both passes have well-signed routes and road access, which makes it easy to start a hike without a long climb from the valley floor. Because of the border-straddling location, it's worth carrying ID, even though the frontier itself has been unguarded here for a long time.

What will you see on the summit and along the way?

The eastern slope of Beskyd hides Masaryk's Chalet (Masarykova chata), a mountain hut with a ski lift and slope below it, popular with winter sports fans from both sides of the border. The partly forested summit itself offers views over a section of the Moravian-Silesian Beskids — on a clear day you can pick out the outlines of neighboring peaks bordering this part of Kysuce. The area is valued for its quiet character and comparatively light foot traffic next to the region's better-known summits.

Who is this route for?

Beskyd suits hikers looking for an easy, unhurried ridge walk rather than a strenuous climb, with the option of stringing together several border landmarks into one longer route. The Kysuce Beskids and Javorníky range, where Maków lies, count among the cleanest and least disturbed mountain areas in Slovakia — a draw for anyone after quiet and genuine contact with nature away from the crowds.

When is the best time to visit?

Summer and early autumn are the most comfortable seasons for hiking the border ridge — trails are dry and visibility for the views is at its best. In winter, the area around Masaryk's Chalet comes alive thanks to its ski lift, making Beskyd an appealing destination outside the hiking season too. Spring can leave the lower stretches of trail muddy, so sturdy footwear is worth packing.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Beskyd near Maków? The peak stands at roughly 900 metres above sea level, on the main ridge of the Turzovská vrchovina, exactly on the Czech-Slovak border.

Is there a mountain hut on the summit? Yes — Masaryk's Chalet sits on the eastern slope, along with a ski lift and slope that operate mainly in winter.

Where's the best place to start a hike to Beskyd? The village of Maków on the Slovak side is the most convenient starting point; the Bumbálka saddle and Makovský Pass are also accessible by road.

What's worth seeing along the way to the summit? The route passes Makovský Pass, with its memorial to partisans from the Slovak National Uprising, and the Bumbálka saddle, a historic border crossing near the Salajka nature reserve.