After the First Snowfall

From Dolný Kubín, Veľký Choč looms like a giant pyramid over the Orava valley, Slovakia’s “gateway to the mountains”. This 1,238‑m peak is the highest in the Chočské vrchy and was once a Celtic hillfort; today, its summit cross offers one of the best panoramic views in central Slovakia. From the town, you see its forested slopes and rocky crown rising above red roofs and church spires, with the Orava basin stretching behind. The view is especially dramatic at sunrise, when the mountain glows golden above the misty valley, a favourite shot for photographers and a symbol of Orava’s wild beauty.