Discover Vysoké Tatry

Vysoké Tatry combine distinctive peaks, insights into nature and trails covering very different themes. As a subregion of the Eastern Tatras, they are located in Tatranský národný park (TANAP). At 2,499 m, Rysy is a border summit between Slovakia and Poland on the main ridge of Vysoké Tatry. The 2,452 m-high Slavkovský štít is considered a popular viewpoint among hikers. The range therefore extends from seemingly demanding mountain destinations to short circular trails and exhibitions that make the landscape easier to understand.

Nature between exhibitions, wetlands and mountain forest

From Tatranska Lomnica a cable car leads to Lomnický štít; the summit can also be reached from the Skalnaté Pleso cable-car station. The summit is home to a hydrometeorological observatory and, since 1962, a physical and astronomical observatory of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.

In Tatranská Lomnica, the Expozícia tatranskej prírody presents typical vegetation from wetlands, raised bogs, fens and forests through to species found in alpine meadows and the highest areas of the Tatras. Around 330 plant and woody species that occur naturally in Tatranský národný park are presented. A short stay can also include a walk among trees, ponds, streams and a waterfall as part of the exhibition.

The Múzeum TANAP-u adds the history of the Tatras and the former life of people from the Tatra foothills to this perspective on nature. The ethnographic section presents the material and spiritual culture of the population from villages in the Tatra foothills and in the Tatras. Dioramas depict the habitats of typical Tatra animals, including the Tatra chamois, Tatra marmot, lynx, wolf, brown bear and capercaillie. Tactile models of animals, plants and habitats, as well as orientation panels with Braille, expand the educational experience.

The Pramenisko educational trail begins at the Expozícia tatranskej prírody and the botanical garden and forms part of a circular walking route almost 3.5 km long. Pramenisko is designated as a national nature reserve and belongs to the Natura 2000 network of habitats of European importance, including mountain and foothill alluvial forests. Two viewing platforms and wooden walkways through wet terrain characterise this trail. The history of the town park dates back to 1892; it is considered the oldest park in Vysoké Tatry and the wider surrounding area and offers views of the Tatra peaks, including Lomnický štít.

Hiking trails with different starting points

For Rysy, a marked trail is described from Chata pri Popradskom plese via Chata pod Rysmi and the Váha saddle to the summit. Východná Vysoká lies between Poľský hrebeň and Prielom. Frequent starting points for tours there from the southern foothills are Starý Smokovec and Tatranská Polianka.

Shorter trails are also available around Hrebienok. The Hrebienok educational trail is an approximately 4 km circular route with little elevation gain that begins and ends in Hrebienok. Its stations explain how glaciers shaped the Tatra valleys, what Tatra granite is and how complex the upper forest line is. The educational trail is open all year round; stations 1 to 5 and 7 are also accessible to people with disabilities.

The route from Starý Smokovec via Hrebienok to Rainerova chata runs on asphalt and compacted gravel and is suitable for families with strollers. Hrebienok is also the starting point for the approximately half-day hike to Zbojnícka chata and can be reached from Starý Smokovec by funicular. For Slavkovský štít, the trail from Hrebienok initially follows a red-marked route for about 25 minutes to the junction below the summit; it then continues for approximately three hours along a blue-marked route to the summit. The stated times are approximate.

Culture, history and family activities

In Dolný Smokovec stands a Roman Catholic wooden church built at the end of the 19th century in the neoclassical-Secession style, based on a design by architect Gedeon Majunke. A Stations of the Cross route begins near the centre of Starý Smokovec, with stations along the path to the so-called Pekná vyhliadka. The Calvary stations are considered the highest-altitude Calvary in Central Europe. Starý Smokovec also offers the public a safe ride on real racing sledges with its luge-start trainer; the structure is considered unique and the only one of its kind in Slovakia.

For families, Galéria Dobrá Hračka offers an interactive children's gallery with twelve career-themed stations covering 550 m², as well as a children's traffic playground. Another educational trail for children around Skalnaté pleso is part of the Tatranská divočina project and leads through five stations featuring Tatra animal figures. The educational trail at Štrbské Pleso covers local history, flora and fauna, notable personalities who worked there, sporting activities and the history of the spa.

For further orientation in the area, you will find profiles of Tatranska Kotlina and Horný Smokovec, as well as the aforementioned places Štrbské Pleso, Tatranská Polianka, Tatranska Lomnica and Starý Smokovec. Round trips through Vysoké Tatry are possible on the restored historic trams Kométa or Trojča.

For the wider travel overview: Okres Poprad.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Batizovce, Spišská Teplica.