Walking and Skiing in Slovakia's High Tatras
Enjoy fine Hiking Trails and Ski Slopes in the Tatra National Park
Mar 30, 2009
A powerful presence in a country that loves the outdoors, the High Tatras constitute the eastern end of the Tatra Mountains forming a natural border with Poland to the north. In turn, these comprise the western edge and highest part of the Carpathians, the 1,500 kilometre mountainous arc that dominates Eastern Europe.
The High Tatras
The High Tatras are found within the boundaries of the Tatra National Park, Slovakia’s first such venture founded in 1949. In 1993 this park amalgamated with a similar park on the Polish side of the border and was awarded UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status. Bears, Alpine Marmots and Chamois are all protected here.
Unlike crowded Zakopane on the Polish side of the border, the Slovakian High Tatras offer higher, more glorious peaks alongside generally quieter resorts.
Chief amongst these is the modern ski resort of Strbske Pleso, the highest settlement in the High Tatras at around 1,350 metres and set around dense forestland a glacial lake of the same name. From here there are year-round chairlifts and plenty of ski-runs.
Slovakia Ski Holiday
Other popular alternatives for a Slovakia ski holiday are Stary Smokovec and Tatranska Lomnica. Both are found at much lower altitudes although both - a Funicular Railway at the former, Cable Car at the latter - are well equipped to get hikers and skiers up to altitude.
Tatranska Lomnica in particular has a decent Slovakian skiing centre via cable car at Skalnate Pleso, with one of the highest peaks in the entire range - Lomnicky Stit - the final stop on the spectacular way up.
Sadly this eastern area of the High Tatras is still in the early stages of recovery after a huge storm in December 2004 devastated great swathes of forestland, in places giving the area a very hauntingly austere appearance.
Hiking in the High Tatras
Hiking in the High Tatras is well served by an excellent array of coloured trails, 600km of which cross the valleys and reach many of the peaks. Among the many delights of walking in this region are the numerous mountains huts dotted along many of the paths to provide refreshments and in some cases accommodation.
It should be noted that some of the higher trails are shut between November and June for safety and the benefit of wildlife.
For those preferring to steer clear of the resort scene, small, quiet villages tucked along the road leading to the Polish border offer accommodation right on the doorstep of the High Tatras. The Ginger Monkey Hostel in Zdiar is a comfortable, newly opened hostel found in a traditional Slovak timber house with plenty of information on a variety of walking, cycling, skiing routes and more.
Poprad to Bratislava
Access to the High Tatras from the Slovakian side comes almost exclusively via Poprad, regional capital in this part of Eastern Slovakia. An electric train service links Poprad with the resort towns at least hourly while Poprad itself is well served daily via train from the national capital, Bratislava.
For further information on the Tatra National Park, visit here.
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