Slovakia Hiking Tour

Meeting in Krakow or Poprad, arrival to the High Tatras – Stary Smokovec village.
The journey from Krakow takes app. 3 hrs. and from Poprad 15 minutes.
The High Tatras are the highest massif in the Carpathian Range. This granite mass spreads out from east to west and among its southern spurs one can find 25 peaks higher than 2.500 meters. Some of the peaks are accessible by marked trails and others are only accessible with a mountain guide. Today you will meet your guide and have a briefing about your next days adventure!

“Warm up” hiking to the pass of Kopske sedlo (1.725 m), White and Green glacial lakes.
The “White Tatras” are part of the “High Tatras” range and are made up of a connecting limestone ridge. Scenic carved peaks reaching heights of over 2100 meters constitute the western part of this ridge. These mountains are characterized by alpine meadows and clearings covered from spring to fall with bright and lush carpets of flowers.
Our first hiking day starts in the village of Tatranska Javorina (1.000 m), a typical Tatra settlement founded in the 19th century. A magnificent wooden church and a hunting hut of count Hohenlohe decorate the surrounding. The first part is an ascent through the wild forests of the valley Zadne Medodoly to the mountain pass Kopske sedlo (1.750 m). We experience a unique opportunity to see the most beautiful peaks and the longest valleys of our mountains. Following descend through a valley that actually divides the Tatra mountains into the limestone part, behind us, and the granite part ahead of us. We reach the hut at the Green mountain lake – Zelene pleso (1.551 m) – a pretty location of this charming valley through the scenic valley of Kezmarska Biela voda.
Tatranska Javorina (1.005 m) – pass Kopske sedlo (1.750 m) – lake Zelene pleso (1.551 m) – Kezmarska Biela voda parking place (915 m)
6,5 hours of hiking, highest point 1.750 m, ▲ 835 m, ▼ 925 m

Ascent of Vychodna Vysoka peak (2.429 m) – great viewpoint – neighbor of Gerlach peak (2.655 m).
The High Tatras are the highest range of the Carpathians. The “Tatras”, as we call them, differ from other high mountain ranges, such as the Alps, in a very special way. Due to the mountain’s geographical location and rocky character, in comparison to the Alps, their height seems 1000 m higher than it really is.
In spite of the fact that our destination, the peak of Vychodna Vysoka, isn’t higher than 2500m, it is one of the most favorite peaks in the High Tatras. It is the dominant of the Velicka valley that is famous for its flourishing part called Kvetnica.

We start our hike after a short drive with a funicular railway at the small resort called Hrebienok (1.285 m). The arterial path of the Tatras called Magistrala leads us to the mountain hotel Sliezsky Dom (1.670 m). Then we pass the lake “Velicke pleso” and hike up to the mountain pass “Polsky hreben” (2.200 m – some places are secured by iron chains). After half an hour we reach the peak of Vychodna Vysoka (2.429 m). For the descent, we choose the shorter alternative to the village Tatranska Polianka (995 m).

Hrebienok (1.275 m) – mountain hotel Sliezsky dom (1.670 m) – pass Polsky hreben (2.200 m) – peak of Vychodna Vysoka (2.429 m) – Sliezsky dom (1.670 m) – Tatranska Polianka (995 m)
8 hours of hiking, highest point 2.429 m, ▲ 1.319 m, ▼ 1.599 m

Ascent of the valley Mala Studena dolina to the Tery hut.
The High Tatras are of glacial origin and cover a total area of 800 km2. A unique contrast to the hard-edged qualities of the mountain massifs, are the picturesque lakes. It is interesting that almost each valley of the Tatras is blessed with one or more lakes. In total there are about 120 alpine lakes, called “pleso”. Famous “symbols” of the High Tatras are the chamois (mountain goat) and the edelweiss flower.

One of the most beautiful and most popular valleys is on our program for today: Mala Studena dolina! We use the funicular railway again; it is a very pleasant way how to reach the altitude of 1.285 m. We hike on the red path to the east, pass a waterfall and after one hour we reach Zamkovskeho hut. We can have a small refreshment here, before entering the valley Mala Studena dolina. After 15 minutes we leave the forest in order to reach the valley! In the summer months it is quite impressive because of the different alpine flowers growing along the stream, creating a breathtaking color palette. We follow the green path to the high rock terrace. On the top, we can see our today´s goal – the hut Teryho chata. After reaching the hut, one should take the time to look around and witness the several beautiful mountain lakes. After our refreshment we start our descent, which follows the same route. Before getting on the funicular, we can visit the oldest hut in the High Tatras – Reinerova chata, which is also a small museum dedicated to the hard work of Tatras´s sherpas (a unique group of mountain workers).

Hrebienok (1.275 m) – mountain hut Teryho chata (2.015 m) – Hrebienok (1.275 m)
6 hours of hiking, highest point 2.015 m, ▲ 870 m, ▼ 870 m

Rafting tour through the Dunajec river gorge on wooden rafts.
Today we will discover the beauties of Pieniny (the smallest national park in Slovakia). Drive over the ridge of the Magura Mountains to an area that was in the past among the poorest in Czechoslovakia. This region, known as Zamagurie (land beyond the Magura hills), is situated on the border with Poland. In addition to Slovaks, „Gorals” (people who live in the mountains) populate the area. The Goral dialect is close to Polish and Goral folklore is quite rich and intense! We visit the ancient and “mystical” Red Monastery and get acquainted with Cyprian, the flying monk, and the history of this Carthusian (later Camaldolite) monastery. Our return trip will take us down the Dunajek River on wooden rafts, through a mountain valley surrounded by narrow little fields.

Hiking along mountain streams and waterfalls, trail secured by wooden and/or iron vertical ladders.
The limestone dolomite plateau of “Slovak Paradise” was cut throughout the ages by mountain rivers into several sections, which are separated by narrow gullies. Some of them are only accessible by iron and/or wooden vertical ladders. Slovak Paradise is really a paradise, not only for hikers, but also for wildflower enthusiasts. Shadows, mountain streams, waterfalls, and fallen trees covered by lichens create the impression that beautiful wood fairies and grumpy dwarfs live here!

Through the “Sucha Bela” ravine we ascend along a creek with the help of wooden and iron ladders to “Klastorisko”. This place hides a Carthusian monastery ruin situated in the deep forests, a place where local population found shelter during the murderous Tartar invasions of the 13th century. Through the forest we will descend to the Hornad River and cross it by horizontal ladders.

Podlesok parking place (545 m) – ruins of Klastorisko (770 m) – Hornad river (525 m) – Podlesok parking place (545 m)
6 hours hiking, highest point 955 m, ▲ 575 m, ▼ 575 m

Ascent of Mt. Rysy (2.499 m) – great view of both sides of Tatras (Polish and Slovak one).

Our first destination for today is the Popradske pleso mountain lake (1.500 m). In the wide opened Mengusovska valley begins the switchback trail to Zabie plesa (1.919 m) – Froggy lakes. Above the lakes the trail leads over a steep rocky terrace secured by chains. Leaving this adventurous and challenging section behind, we approach the highest located mountain hut in the High Tatras – “Chata pod Rysmi” (2.250 m). The final part to Rysy peak takes about one hour. Standing on the top of the peak Rysy (2.499 m), you have Slovakia and Poland at your feet! The descent to Popradske pleso follows the same route. Cup of coffee or glass of beer on the lake bank is a reward well deserved!

Popradske Pleso, tram stop (1.250 m) – lake Popradske Pleso (1.520 m) – mountain hut Chata pod Rysmi (2.250 m) – Rysy peak (2.499 m) – Popradske Pleso, tram stop (1.250 m)
8 hours of hiking, highest point 2.499 m, ▲ 1.341 m ▼ 1.341 m

En route to Krakow review your hiking tour on panoramic drive around the Tatras.