Tatra Mountains (Slovakia) – 19 best places to visit with pictures, maps, hotels

Zelené Pleso, Tatra mountains, Slovakia

Tatra Mountains (High Tatras) in Slovakia – the best places to visit with pictures and maps! Slovakia is rich in natural attractions and nature is also country’s main treasure. There are 9 wonderful National Parks, mountains with peaks reaching 2600+ meters above sea level, lowlands, bears and wolfs living in the wild, waterfalls and wild rivers, thousands of caves and more than 40% of the country is covered with forests which makes it one of the most forested countries in all of Europe.

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But Tatra Mountains are definitely the most visited place in Slovakia and there is no doubt why. You only need to come here for a week or more and you’ll be really amazed at what mother nature is able to create! Check this list of the best places to visit in the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia.

Tatra Mountains and Spišská Nová Ves, Slovakia

Tatra Mountains and Spišská Nová Ves, Slovakia

Tatra Mountains – the best places to visit

First of all, do not confuse with Low Tatras Mountains, we are going to show you the High Tatras! Low Tatras are also in Slovakia but they are located south of the Tatra Mountains. Tatra mountains are part of the Carpathian Mountains, a mountain range that stretches in several European countries, starting in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Serbia and ending in Romania.

It is the second longest mountain range in Europe (just after the Scandinavian Mountains) and the Tatra Mountains are its highest part!

Zelené Pleso, Tatra mountains, Slovakia - 2

Zelené Pleso, Tatra mountains, Slovakia – 2

Accessibility:
The High Tatras are easily accessible, making them an ideal destination for a variety of travelers. Populated with well-maintained trails, cable cars, and scenic drives, visitors can explore the beauty of the mountains at their own pace. The region is well-connected by road and rail, making it convenient to reach from major cities in Slovakia and Poland.

1. Štrbské Pleso (1346m)

If you have never been to the High Tatras yet, your first steps should definitely lead to Štrbské Pleso. The panorama of the glacier tarn with the hotel Patria and with the amazing peaks in the background is one of the best-known views not only in our country (Slovakia) but also abroad.

Here you can do the cross-country skiing, skiing and in the summer you can also rent a boat or take a lot of tours to the most beautiful places of the High Tatras. Do not forget to look at the lakes of love that are near the main car park. There is peace, quiet and these lakes are also very nice!

Of course, you have to come to Štrbské Pleso with a cog-rail train. It was built at the end of the 19th century and still serves the people, however, there are plans to replace it with a new one, so hurry up! Here you can walk around the lake: https://en.mapy.cz/s/fojuzuponu

Štrbské pleso, Tatra Mountains, Slovakia

Štrbské pleso, Tatra Mountains, Slovakia by Julius

Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras

2. Popradské Pleso (1494m)

The first tour in the High Tatras must be a hike to Popradské Pleso. You can reach it from Štrbské Pleso by tourist path marked red (map). The other option is by a blue marked path from the stop of Tatra Electric Railway called Popradské Pleso (map).

This path with a tarmac surface is suitable for tourists with child prams as for the people using wheelchairs or bicycle. From Popradské Pleso you can continue further to other places such as Ostrva, Rysy, and others (but without child pram or bicycle).

Popradské pleso lake, Tatra Mountains, Slovakia

Popradské pleso lake, Tatra Mountains, Slovakia by Julius

Majláthova Chata Popradské Pleso, Slovakia

Majláthova Chata Popradské Pleso, Slovakia

3. Waterfall Skok (Jump)

Whoever did some of the first hikes in the Tatra Mountains can make a bit more difficult trip… There are many waterfalls in the Tatras, but the most impressive is definitely the waterfall Skok.

The Skok Waterfall is considered to be the most abundant waterfall in Slovakia and is also the third-largest waterfall in the High Tatras. You can see it from Štrbské Pleso. But the best is to climb to it and continue through Bystrá Lávka back to Štrbské Pleso.

The path is no longer than 15 kilometres and you can go through it in less than 6 hours. Due to the wonderful waterfalls, tarns and a bit of adrenaline, I recommend you to do this trip as the first one. Check the map here: https://en.mapy.cz/s/2AkDG

Waterfall Skok, Tatra Mountains, Slovakia

Waterfall Skok, Tatra Mountains, Slovakia by Julius

Hotel Fis, Strbske pleso, Slovakia

Hotel Fis, Strbske pleso, Slovakia

4. Hrebienok (1285m)

Those who did not try sledging from Hrebienok to Starý Smokovec do not know what it really means to enjoy the High Tatras.

You can get to Hrebienok by the only cable car in Slovakia or you can go there on foot in around one hour (map). And then continue further to the waterfalls of Studený Potok, Zbojnícka Chalet or to Teryho Chalet, Sliezsky Dom or Skalnaté Pleso. There are really plenty of paths to choose from!

Hrebienok, Tatra Mountains, Slovakia

Hrebienok, Tatra Mountains, Slovakia by Julius

Mountain Hotel Bilíkova Chata, High Tatras, Slovakia

Mountain Hotel Bilíkova Chata, High Tatras, Slovakia

5. Tatra Ice Dome

Traditionally every winter there is a magnificent Tatra Ice Dom on Hrebienok with wonderful ice sculptures! 225 tonnes of ice in 1880 ice blocks were used for it in November 2019.

It is one of the most beautiful pieces of art you can find in Slovakia! We are looking forward to visiting it every winter! WARNING!!! You won’t find it in the summer! But only from December to April! Location of the ice dome: https://en.mapy.cz/s/ramojaluco

Tatra Ice Dome, Hrebienok, Tatra Mountains, Slovakia

Tatra Ice Dome, Hrebienok, Tatra Mountains, Slovakia by Julius

Grand hotel Starý Smokovec

Grand hotel Starý Smokovec

Nestled at the heart of Central Europe, the High Tatras beckon travelers with their awe-inspiring beauty, diverse landscapes, and a myriad of recreational activities. Straddling the border between Slovakia and Poland, this mountain range forms a natural border and offers an unparalleled experience for those seeking a retreat into nature.

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4 Responses

  1. Lukáš says:

    Yeah very perfect article, very easily writen, interesting, but for me very very long article 🙂

    • Julius Szabo says:

      It will be even longer, we are going to add more great places, as there are really a lot more to visit in here! 🙂

  2. Arpad Palfi says:

    Amazing guide, just what I needed. I love the map links too, very useful. Thank you and please extend it more. Maybe expand on: how to get there, tickets, car parks, restaurant facilities, child friendliness, etc. Many thanks again.

    • Julius Szabo says:

      Thank you Arpad for commenting on our site! I appreciate it a lot! I’ll review the articles and try to add more information to them. I know there is still lots of work to be done here!!! Thanks for suggestions!

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