This fascinating rock formation, almost 14 meters high, resembles a huge clenched fist or a wooden club stuck into the ground with its narrow part. It acquired its extraordinary shape thanks to the erosive activity of water, which shaped it for long centuries. It is rightly ranked among the most beautiful natural phenomena in our country.
Access Options
The trip to the budzogáň is manageable even for beginner hikers or families with children. Several routes lead to the rock, from which you can choose according to your fitness:
- From Rajecké Teplice (Educational Trail): The most popular route starts directly in Rajecké Teplice. It is a yellow 🟡 marked Educational Trail Stratený budzogáň, which is approximately 7 km long. Along the way, 6 information boards await you, gradually telling you the entire legend of the giant and Hromodub. The route takes approximately 2 to 3 hours.
- From Zbyňov: If you are looking for a shorter alternative, you can start in the village of Zbyňov. The route connects to the yellow trail and the ascent from here is significantly shorter and faster.
- From Súľov: You can also get to the club from the opposite side of the hill, from the village of Súľov via Sedlo Patúch. This route takes approximately 2.5 hours.
Tip for the end:
- If you still have energy after reaching the budzogáň, be sure to continue along the trail further to the nearby peak Žibrid (867 m a.s.l.). You will be rewarded with beautiful panoramic views of the Rajecká Basin, Súľov Rocks and the Lúčanská Malá Fatra.
- When you reach the destination and go around the rock that is near the budzogáň, you will get above it, which will open up a wide view of the surroundings.
Location map:
Files for download
| # | Route for download | Format |
|---|---|---|
 |
Offline route for the Locus Map, Google Earth app | .kml |
Legend of the Giant and the magical Thunder Oak
Once upon a time, in a beautiful land, stood the most beautiful and largest tree that ever grew in the world - a majestic Thunder Oak. This miraculous tree belonged to all the people and animals in the area. Every child in the land knew its story and knew that the Thunder Oak had to be cared for with love. People regularly washed its leaves, gently cleaned its roots, and kept watch over it day and night.
How the Giant Traveler fell in love
One day, the Traveler Giant visited this peaceful land. When he arrived at the place where Thunderoak stood, he fell in love with it at first sight. After all, it was the most impressive tree he had seen during his travels around the world. The Giant did not hesitate and immediately began to devise dark plans to acquire this gem for himself alone, and forever.
How Janko Spáč kept watch
The fateful night came when a boy named Janko Spáč was supposed to keep watch by the tree. Janko, true to his name, lay down on the ground, closed his eyes, and fell fast asleep. He slept so deeply that if you were to lie down on the ground and close your eyes now, you would fall asleep exactly as he did then. It was this very moment of inattention that the Giant seized, taking hold of the defenseless Hromodub.
How it all ended
The giant tore the Thunder Oak straight out of the ground with his enormous hands and carved a huge club from it. However, that enormous noise woke up all the inhabitants of the countryside. They were truly angry! They were not going to let him take their beloved Thunder Oak just like that. They managed to outwit the giant and, as punishment, smeared his legs with sticky pitch.
The Angry Giant realized he couldn't move. In a fit of rage, he plunged his new mace from Thunder Oak deep into the ground and cursed it to turn to stone. And so it happened. The mace turned to stone and has remained standing there to this day, as a reminder of the greedy giant and the famous Thunder Oak.
Photo gallery:
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