The High Tatras (Slovak: Vysoké Tatry / Polish: Wysokie Tatry) are the smallest high mountains in the world (high mountains = peaks over 2000 m altitude). About two thirds of the High Tatras are in the Slovakia and a third is in Poland. The High Tatras is one of four mountain ranges in the Tatra Mountains.
Note: The content of this article focuses on the southern (Slovak) part of the High Tatras. For more detailed information on the Polish part of the High Tatras, see Tatra Mountains (Poland).
places
The municipality (obca) Vysoké Tatry comprises the entire mountain range of the High Tatras including the upstream mountain ramp. The following health resorts are located on the slope with direct access to the mountain:
- Tatranská Lomnica
- Starý Smokovec
- Štrbské Pleso
- Vyšné Hágy
- Tatranská Javorina
- Ždiar
Larger cities in the vicinity that offer themselves as base camps include
Other goals
- Lomnický Štit (Lomnický Peak, 2634 m; accessible by cable car)
- Gerlachovský štít (2654 m, highest mountain in Slovakia and the whole Carpathians)
- Skalnaté Pleso: Karsee below the Lomnitz peak with a star observatory
- Hrebienok: local mountain above Starý Smokovec with numerous caves and waterfalls, luxury mountain hut; accessible by cable car.
background
getting there
The area has good transport links.
- There is an airport in Poprad that is served by some low-cost airlines from Western Europe.
- Other airports in Krakow and Košice
- By train to Poprad or Tatranská Štrba, there change to the narrow-gauge railway or cog railway. Alternatively from Poland by train to Zakopane and further by bus.
- Motorway D1 (E50), exits 310 Štrba, 315 Mengusovce, 325 Vysoké Tatry
- Regional road 537 Cesta Slobody - runs at the foot of the foothills and connects all health resorts
- From Poland: From Zakopane trunk roads 49 and 66
mobility
Of Poprad A narrow-gauge railway leads to Stary Smokovec, Tatranska Lomnica, Štrbské Pleso. A cable car leads from Tatranska Lomnica to Lomnický Štít. There is also a dense network of local buses that serve almost all the villages at the foot of the High Tatras.
Tourist Attractions
- Liptov Village Museum, at Pribylina.
- Orava Village Museum, at Zuberec.
- Skalnaté Pleso observatory
activities
Winter sports
A system of cross-country trails and downhill slopes runs through the south of the High Tatras.
hike
An extensive network of mostly marked and signposted trails leads through the entire High Tatras. Due to the ruggedness, however, there are few paths along the main ridge and many paths across the ridge. On the southern edge of the Tatras the Tatranska magistrala as an east-west connection along the individual valleys.
Managed huts offer accommodation and meals. The prices there are around € 25 per person per night.
The hiking season starts on June 15. and ends on November 1st. Outside of this time, many high-altitude hiking trails are closed. Even after the start of the season, extensive snow fields can partially or completely cover the paths and lakes at higher altitudes or on northern slopes can still be frozen.
Some of the hiking trails lead over very steep and craggy slopes and are secured in some places with chains and stirrups. These paths are often associated with some climbing, which not infrequently leads over deep abysses. Self-securing on the chains is not always possible, suitable footwear is an absolute must.
miscellaneous
In the Vysoké Tatry and Poprad, an extensive tourist infrastructure has emerged. There are water parks, wellness hotels, bike rentals and many other tourist activities.
shop
Small to medium-sized supermarkets can be found in all larger towns at the foot of the mountains. Here you can easily get provisions for the mountain tour. In these places there are also the usual souvenir shops with wooden toys and the like.
kitchen
There are numerous mountain huts and shelters where you can get hot food. However, the choice is somewhat limited. There are all types and price ranges of restaurants in the towns, from very cheap to ultra-upscale.
nightlife
accommodation
Camping is prohibited in the national park. Free-roaming brown bears pose a threat to bivouackers in the valleys. There are inexpensive mountain huts, but these are often fully booked during the season. Reserve! In the villages at the foot of the mountains, especially Tatranská Lomnica, Starý Smokovec and Štrbské Pleso There are numerous hotels and accommodations in different price ranges. Private accommodation can also be found in the more distant towns. There is a campsite in Tatranská Lomnica.
- Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras, at Lake Tschirmer, Štrbské Pleso.
Practical advice
literature
- Compass hiking map "High Tatras", Scale: 1: 50,000, ISBN 978-3-85491-370-2 , Price: 7.50 euros (as of 04-2008)
- Compass hiking map "High Tatras", Scale: 1: 25,000, ISBN 978-3-85491-374-0 , Price: 7.95 euros (as of 04-2008)
- Tatra map "High Tatras" hiking map, Scale 1: 25,000, ISBN 978-83-8787-375-2 , Price: 9.90, very clear hiking map
- VKÚ hiking map "High Tatras", Scale 1: 25,000, ISBN 978-80-8042-561-6 , somewhat confusing hiking map, in which unmarked paths are sometimes very difficult to see
