The Trek Across Our Largest Mountain Range, the High Tatras I

The largest mountain range of Slovakia and the most significant travel center is the High Tatras. There are about 35 valleys, 110 lakes, and many mountain peaks, out of which 10 are above 2600 meters high. Every view from a Tatra peak leaves in the heart of a man a life-long impression. The silence of the valleys, the cauldrons, the tarns, the silky sheen of the waterfalls and the monumental touches with the heights of the peaks - all of that is the magical world of the National Park, High Tatras. This trip is intended for those, who like to walk in the forests and want to, maximally, savor their beauty. The entire trip is marked by breath-taking views of the Tatra peaks. The dawns, the sun-sets, an evening atmosphere in the alpine chalets, these are the experiences that etch themselves into the memory for life. The trip is, specifically for fit and experienced tourists. One of the highlight is hiking on the top of Gerlachovsky peak - the highest peak of the High Tatras and Carpathian mountains.

• Itinerary
• Prices & Booking
• Highlights
• Tour Map
• Photos

Itinerary

Day 1:

Arrival to Slovakia, accommodation, informal reception.

Day 2:

We will drive to the village of Zdiar, our starting point. From here, we will hike up to Monkova valley only one accessible valley in the Belianske Tatras, and then continue to Kopske sedlo with magnificent views of surrounding mountains. We will finish in Chata pri Zelenom plese (Chalet by Green Lake; altitude 1554 m), situated in Dolina Zeleneho plesa (The Green Lake Valley). The chalet is located near the lake, which is named because of the unusually green colour of the water. Magnificent rocky peaks are to be seen in all directions. We will overnight in this chalet.

Day 3:

From the Chalet by Green Lake, we will climb to the top of Jahnaci stit (Lamb Peak; altitude 2229 m). This peak is the best vista point in the eastern part of the High Tatras. We will be crossing very difficult hiking terrain with the help of chains and foot-boards mounted to the cliffs. We will spend another night in the Chalet by Green Lake.

Day 4:

We will continue our trip, passing Skalnate pleso (Rocky Lake; altitude 1751 m) and reaching another chalet, Zamkovskeho chata (Zamkovsky Chalet, altitude 1475 m) which is serviced all-year-round. It is supplied entirely by sherpas.

Day 5:

We climb up to chalet Teryho Chata (Tery's Chalet; altitude 2015 m) and cross the Priecne sedlo (Transverse Saddle; altitude 2352 m) and continue to Zbojnicka chata (Robber's Chalet, altitude 1960 m). The Transverse Saddle separates the Mala and Velka studena dolina (Small and Great Cold Valleys). The Robber’s Chalet that is located in the latter one was devastated by an extensive fire and its reconstruction was completed in the year 2000. The chalet provides its services during all seasons and is also supplied entirely by sherpas.

Day 6:

We will climb up to the Prielom mountain saddle (altitude 2288 m), continue to Polsky hreben (altitude 2200 m) and from there, we will hike up to the central peak of the High Tatras – Vychodna Vysoka (Eastern High; altitude 2429 m). Then we will descend to the Velicka valley and spend the night in the Sliezsky dom (Silesian House; mountain Hotel, 1663 m). The surroundings of the hotel are covered by flowers in spring and summer. One of the last herds of chamois lives in this valley.

Day 7:

We will climb up to Gerlachovsky peak (altitude 2655 m). Then we will descend to the Velicka valley and spend another night in the Sliezsky dom (Silesian House; mountain Hotel, 1663 m). The surroundings of the hotel are covered by flowers in spring and summer. One of the last herds of chamois lives in this valley.

Day 8:

We will take a traversing trail to lake Batizovske (altitude 1879 m). From there one gets beautiful views of the surrounding rocky peaks. From Batizovske Lake we will continue our hike to another mountain chalet, Chata pri Popradskom plese (Poprad Lake Chalet; altitude 1494 m) where we will spend two nights.

Day 9:

We will hike up to Chata pod Rysmi (Chalet under Rysy), the highest altitude mountain chalet in the range, and then to Rysy (altitude 2499 m), the most visited peak in the High Tatras, located on the border with Poland. The ridge in this area is frequently enveloped in mist.

Day 10:

From Poprad Lake, we will climb to the Velke Hincovo pleso (Great Hinc Lake; altitude 1946 m), the largest in area and the deepest lake in the High Tatras. Then we will summit Koprovsky Peak (altitude 2367 m), a beautiful vista point in the main range of the High Tatras. After this accomplishment, we will traverse the Hlinska and Koprovska valleys, ending the day-hike in a Strbske Pleso.

Day 11:

The best at the end – we will attain the summit of Krivan (altitude 2494 m), the symbol of Slovak national pride. It is a picturesque and dominant peak of the High Tatras that can be seen from a great distance. An interesting piece of information about Krivan is that there were gold mines under its peak in the past.

Day 12:

Farewell and departure from Slovakia.