A shelter in the heart of the beech forest

The Lesser Carpathians are known for their abundance of easily accessible natural beauty and historical landmarks. Even the less experienced hikers can conquer this range’s ridgeline in a few days. One of the Lesser Carpathians’ attractions that will entice you to take on this roughly 100-kilometre route is the Jozef Mak Cabin, situated roughly halfway along the trail.

Imagine a tastefully crafted wooden cabin, evoking a Nordic charm, nestled within a beech forest. That’s precisely how we’d sum up the Jozef Mak Cabin in the Lesser Carpathians in a single sentence. When arriving at the cabin in harsh weather, it truly feels like an oasis of safety and tranquillity.

The first official shelter for hikers in the Lesser Carpathians stands at Mihalinová on the Heroes of the Slovak National Uprising Route, a popular trail for long-distance hikers. It’s only 300 metres from the point where the red and yellow hiking trails intersect. Before long, you’ll spot it through the trees, a sight that will take your breath away. It looks just like in the photographs – perhaps even more beautiful – when you see it with your own eyes.

Named after the protagonist in a novel by Jozef Cíger-Hronský, the Jozef Mak Cabin immediately captivates your attention with its minimalist design and position in the shade on a wooded hillside. You enter through large, double doors, and even if there’s a breeze outside, the cabin remains comfortably warm. With two levels, it’s equipped with a stove and a place to dry your boots and socks.

On the day we visited, it was damp and overcast outside. The wind itself was not too cold, but rain pelted heavily on the roof. However, inside there was a different world altogether. Once the stove was lit, the room quickly filled with a comforting warmth, and we were able to take off our wet jackets and boots.

The cabin’s wooden shelves store a variety of board games, books, and magazines. Through a large window, we could gaze at the surrounding forest, thick with tall beeches. We settled by the window, watching the forest gradually fade into darkness. It was still raining outside, but we didn’t mind. In fact, the rain gave the place a magical ambience.

The next morning, we awoke to stillness. The rain was gone, only droplets glistening on the leaves. After a short walk, we had breakfast, savouring the last few moments of peace in this sanctuary. Before leaving, we tidied up the cabin and packed. We set off again with a deep sense of contentment.

From the cabin, you can reach Záruby, the highest peak in the Lesser Carpathians, within half a day. However, we decided to explore the nearby ruins of Dobrá Voda castle.

It was a wonderful experience, and we’re already looking forward to our next adventure in the Lesser Carpathians, where the Jozef Mak Cabin provided us with such a pleasant place to spend the night. We wholeheartedly recommend it and hope it continues to serve hikers for years to come, thanks to the care of its visitors.