Malá Fatra National Park begins effectively at Žilina's eastern edge, with the park entrance at Vrátna just 25 km from the city centre. The park covers a compact but dramatic section of the Western Carpathians: limestone gorges, alpine meadows, beech forests, and ridgeline walking with views over three countries on clear days. The highest peak, Veľký Kriváň (1709m), can be reached in a day from the valley.
A gondola runs from the valley at Vrátna up to the Snilovské saddle in summer and winter, giving easy access to the high terrain. The walking is well-marked; the gorge trail below is excellent in its own right and takes about two hours return. In winter, the ski area around Vrátna gets reasonable snow and is much less crowded than the Tatra resorts. Žilina makes an excellent base for the park.