Stara Lesna: TANAP, Astronomy and Churches

Stara Lesna combines the landscape of the Poprad Basin with access to the central part of Tatranský národný park, or TANAP for short. The village lies below the lower boundary of the national park, making it an interesting base for travellers who want to combine mountain scenery, nature-related trails and cultural and historical impressions.

Landscape around Tatranský národný park

The relationship with the national park shapes the geographical context of Stara Lesna. Tatranský národný park administers 2,428 hectares of the former cadastral area of Stara Lesna. This connection is particularly relevant for your travel planning if you want to consider the High Tatras not only as a landscape, but also the various opportunities for activities in the TANAP area.

Routes and the Astronomical Educational Trail

Stara Lesna serves as a starting point for the central part of TANAP. Marked routes for skiers and cyclists lead out from here. This clear focus helps when choosing your travel profile: Depending on your plans, the emphasis may be on sporting activities or on exploring the landscape. No information on the lengths or difficulty levels of these routes is available; however, the markings and the respective target groups provide important points of orientation.

A special addition is the Astronomical Educational Trail. It comprises 13 information panels with important information about the technical equipment of the astronomical institute and celestial bodies. The trail begins at the institute's main building in Stara Lesna and ends at the final dome with telescopes. As the Astronomical Educational Trail is accessible year-round, it can be considered a separate programme item regardless of seasonal sports planning. Those who want to combine nature and science will gain a different perspective on the mountain region here.

Churches and the History of the Village

The history of the village also gives Stara Lesna a distinctive character. Stara Lesna was founded by the Berzeviczy family in the second half of the 13th century and was first mentioned in a document from 1294. This historical depth also makes the village interesting for travellers who want to learn about historical contexts during a stay in the Tatras.

The most valuable architectural monument in Stara Lesna is the Roman Catholic church. It includes a Renaissance bell tower that was added around 1600. The Evangelical church in Stara Lesna was built in 1822. Its construction was connected with Emperor Leopold II having approved the extended rights of the Evangelical Church. Together, the two churches show different chapters of the local architectural and religious history.

Getting to Stara Lesna and Accommodation

Stara Lesna can be reached by bus from Poprad and Kežmarok. From the High Tatras, you can reach Stara Lesna via the TEŽ, the Tatranská elektrická železnica, and by bus. These connections may play a role in planning if you want to reach the village without making the entire journey by car.

The cadastral area of Stara Lesna has several large hotels, leisure facilities, guesthouses and a settlement with private holiday homes. This means that the cadastral area of Stara Lesna offers a wide range of accommodation types. Which accommodation suits your trip depends on whether you want to focus primarily on the TANAP landscape, the marked routes, the Astronomical Educational Trail, or the churches and history of Stara Lesna.

Other places for planning your trip to Slovakia: Lendak, Červený Kláštor, Veľká Franková, Osturna, Kežmarok, Zakovce, Spišská Belá, Jezersko.

To the higher-level travel overview: Okres Kežmarok.