The foundation stone of the M. R. Štefánik pod Ďumbierom lodge was laid on 20 July 1924. This lodge was supposed to replace the shelter built on top of Ďumbier in 1902. The shelter was called ‘Charles’s protective cottage’, but today it is just a pile of stones.
The year-round operation of the lodge means visitors can stay in the mountains in all seasons. It provides accommodation in six eight-bed rooms. The lodge also has a restaurant where tourists can choose from several types of soups, breakfast and main dishes. The highest porter-carried draft beer in central Slovakia can be enjoyed at the M. R. Štefánik lodge!
One of the deepest caves in Slovakia – Jaskyňa mŕtvych netopierov (Cave of Dead Bats) – is located under the lodge and is open to tourists.
The lodge is only accessible by foot. The easiest route up is from the Trangoška dolina valley along the green hiking trail. Other ways are from Chopok taking around 3 hours, from Kosodrevina taking around 2 hours, or from Čertovica taking around 3 hours. Materials and goods for the operation of the lodge are brought up by porters, who carry about 40,000 kg up every year. Several Sherpa Rallye porter races to the lodge have been held, with the fastest coming from Trangoška, carrying 60 kg up in 55 minutes, while the time stated on the tourist signpost is 120 minutes.
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