Sunset in Tatra MountainsVysoké Tatry (High Tatras) is the highest mountain in Slovakia, which is located on the northern part of Slovakia, just on the border with Poland. Area of the mountain is 750 km², 600 km² is located on the Slovak territory. Tourists are visiting this part of the country for hiking, skiing and doing other sports, or just relaxing surrounded by a beautiful countryside.

Centers of High Tatras

There are a few areas considered to be a centre of the highest mountain in Slovakia.

Štrbské pleso

Štrbské plesoŠtrbské pleso is a village located around the second largest lake of Slovak High Tatras – Štrbské pleso (19.76 hectares). Since the village was build it belongs to the most important touristic centers with a big number of facilities for recreation and sports.

Tatranská lomnica

The largest Tatra’s village Tatranská Lomnica has several functions. It is the biggest touristic center, which is offering many opportunities for skiing and a range of mountain transport. There is a seat of Tatranský národný park (Tatra National Park) and TANAP’s museum.

Starý Smokovec

Starý Smokovec is the oldest village of High Tatras. Nowadays it is also an administrative centre where the municipality and the centre of the Tatra mountain services (Tatranská horská služba) are located. Furthermore there is a big amount of hotels, rentals, travel agencies and other facilities. They are located on the transport area – Tatra rail, buses, lifts, etc. Own car is not necessary.

One of the other advantages is a wider range of services, restaurants, shops, and so on. Furthermore, there is a possibility of more cultural activities (sports, discos, entertainment, etc.). Centers of the High Tatras are also a starting point for hiking trails and ski slopes.

Peaks

26 peaks of High Tatras are higher than 2500 meters above the sea level. On the Slovak side you can find 8 peaks that are accessible for tourists with seasonal closures (from 1.11. to 15.6.). The only possibility to get to the peaks of Gerlachovský štít, Vysoká, Ganek, Bradavica, Prostredný hrot, Ľadový štít, Baranie rohy, Lomnický štít, Kežmarský štít is to join the hiking with a guide. Lomnický štít is also achievable by a cable-railway from Tatranská lomnica.

List of the peaks higher than 2500 meters above the sea level:

  • Gerlachovský štít (Gerlachovský Peak) – 2 655 m
  • Gerlachovská veža (Gerlachovská Tower) – 2 642 m
  • Lomnický štít (Lomnický Peak) – 2 634 m
  • Ľadový štít (Ice Peak) – 2 627 m
  • Pyšný štít (Proud Peak) – 2 623 m
  • Zadný Gerlachovský štít (Gerlachovský Back-Peak) – 2 616 m
  • Lavínový štít (Snowball Peak) – 2 606 m
  • Malý Ľadový štít (Small Ice Peak) – 2 602 m
  • Kotlový štít (Cauldron Peak) – 2 601 m
  • Lavínová veža (Snowball Tower) – 2 600 m
  • Malý Pyšný štít (Small Proud Peak) – 2 592 m
  • Veľká Litvorová veža (Big Litvor Tower) – 2 581 m
  • Strapatá veža (Strap Tower) – 2 565 m
  • Kežmarský štít (Kežmarský Peak) – 2 556 m
  • Vysoká (High) – 2 547 m
  • Supia veža (Vulture Tower) – 2 540 m
  • Končistá (Tippy) – 2 538 m
  • Malá Litvorová veža (Small Litvor Tower) – 2 533 m
  • Baranie rohy (Mutton Horns) – 2 526 m
  • Dračí štít (Dragon Peak) – 2 523 m
  • Veľká Vidlová veža (Big Pitchfork Tower) – 2 522 m
  • Český štít (Czech Peak) – 2 520 m)
  • Veterný štít (Windy Peak) – 2 515 m
  • Malý Kežmarský štít (Small Kežmarský Peak) -2 513 m
  • Zadný Ľadový štít (Ice Back-Peak) – 2 507 m)
  • Rysy (Lynxes) – 2 503 m

Alpine chalets

Alpine chalets are kind of cottages that serve for visitors of alpine environment in more ways. They provide opportunities to overnight, subsistence and other basic services including information. More of them were destroyed by an avalanche or burned. There are 11 chalets still in good condition, providing necessary service all year long.

List of the chalets in Slovakian High Tatras:

  • Téryho chata (Cottage of Téry) – 2 015 m - was founded in 1899. Its capacity is 25 beds.
  • Chata pod Soliskom (Cottage under the Peak of Solisko) – 1 840 m - was founded in 1942. There is no accommodation provided.
  • Sliezsky dom (Sliezsky House) – 1 665 m - was founded in 1895. Its capacity is 114 beds.
  • Chata kpt. Morávka (Cottage of Captain Morávka) – 1 500 m - was founded in 1879. Its capacity is 120 beds.
  • Zámkovského chata (Zámkovský Cottage) – 1 475 m - was founded in 1943. Its capacity is 25 beds.
  • Bílikova chata (Bilikova Cottage) – 1 285 m - was founded in 1934. Its capacity is 28 beds.

Lowlands

Valeys or lowlands in High Tatras are kind of a counterpart of Tatra’s peaks.

List of lowlands in Slovak High Tatras:

  • Batizovská dolina (Batizovská Lowland)
  • Bielovodská dolina (Bielovodská Lowland) 
  • Dolina Kežmarskej bielej vody (Lowland of Kežmarská White Water)
  • Dolina Siedmych prameňov (Lowland of Seven Springs)
  • Furkotská dolina (Furkotská Lowland)
  • Javorová dolina (Javorová Lowland)
  • Kôprová dolina (Kôprova Lowland)
  • Malá Studená dolina (Small Cold Lowland)
  • Mengusovská dolina (Mengusovská Lowland)
  • Mlynická dolina (Mlynická Lowland)
  • Starolesnianska dolina
  • Tichá dolina (Quiet Lowland)
  • Velická dolina (Velická Lowland)
  • Veľká Studená dolina (Big Cold Lowland)

Waterfalls

List of waterfalls in High Tatras:

  • Vodopády Studeného potoka (Waterfall of the Cold Springs)
  • Obrovský vodopád v ústí Studeného potoka (Great Waterfall in the Entry of Cold Spring)
  • Vodopád Skok v Mlynickej doline (Waterfall Jump in Mlynická Lowland)
  • Kmeťov vodopád v Kôprovskej doline (Waterfall Kmeť in Kôprova Lowland)