The High Tatras are mountains that you’ve likely never heard of. It is makes up part of the southern border of Poland and the northern edge of Slovakia in Europe. They are the most elevated section of the Tatra chain within the Carpathian Mountains and form a natural border between the two countries. The area is popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Depending on the season, people come and visit for skiing, climbing and hiking.
We chose this spot as a last minute add to the itinerary last fall. Slovakia has a lot to offer and we wanted to see more than just Bratislava while in the country. Plus, we never turn down time in the mountains.
There are many small towns throughout this region. We chose to stay in Štrbské Pleso because of the beautiful lake and the easily accessible train station. I would recommend this area, but also want to be clear that there are many different areas you can check out if you want an extended trip.
Tips for Visiting the High Tatras
- Plan to hike if you want to see some of the most beautiful spots. Use the AllTrails App (get your first week free with this link) to get offline maps because you will not get service, even on short hikes.
- Pack layers. The mountains are always a little indecisive about the weather. You might go from thick fog to beautiful sunny days.
- Grocery options are fairly limited in the small mountain towns. We had some incredible food at the restaurants, but I wish we had gone shopping before our last train ride up to the small town for some breakfast and lunch options. This is probably not an issue if you have no dietary restrictions.
- Enjoy the slower pace. Bring books or book a spa appointment. Slow down and enjoy the fresh air.
Hiking in the High Tatras
The main reason to visit the High Tatras is the absolute beauty of the mountains. We visited in October, so it was perfect hiking weather. We had one longer hike day and then two days exploring near our spot. There is no shortage of trails. Arriving here, we had no real plans other than to experience this area. It was such a wonderful stop after hopping around cities in Poland.
Štrbské Pleso
This lake is right in the town we stayed in and a great spot to base your trip. It is close to the ski resort and has gorgeous rocky peaks surrounding the lake. We had a day where the fog didn’t lift at all. It was a perfect day to walk around the lake and stay a little closer to home. The full lakefront path is just 2.5 km, so it’s a perfect place to stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery.
There are lots of smaller paths that lead from the lake to explore. If you are looking for a place to relax, this hotel has a highly-rated lakefront spa. We didn’t have time or the budget for it, but we would love to stay there in the future.
Popradské Pleso
Popradské Pleso is a lake located further up the mountains. It is accessible by a few different trails. We took this route, and I would definitely recommend it. Leaving early in the morning allowed us to have the trails until the end of the 7.5-mile hike. We went around both lakes, adding extra length to the hike.
It is listed as intermediate. There was some incline, but nothing crazy. We were outfitted with warm layers and our Merrill sneakers (here and here), and it was perfect.
One of the most interesting things we discovered on the hike was the memorial area dedicated to climbers. There were beautiful, colorful crosses painted and marked with names and ages. It’s called a Symbolic Cemetery and was created to “remember the dead and warn the alive” almost 100 years ago. There is a small chapel and a few different paths winding through the area.
There is also a small lodge on the lake that has a restaurant. We packed some snacks, so we didn’t stop there on this trip. The deck looked very inviting for an afternoon mid-hike beer. We did pass a few people prepping for longer hikes and rock climbing trips, so it could be a great base for the super adventurous.
The lake itself was beautiful. The water was so clear that you could see all the rocks on the bottom. Surrounding peaks reflected in the smooth lake surface, we had the whole lakefront to ourselves. This was definitely a hike I would recommend to anyone visiting the High Tatras.
Details for Visiting the High Tatras
How to Get There
There are a few options to get to town without needing a rental car. We used the FlixBus to get from Poland to Slovakia, and then we used the trains to navigate from there. A few buses will drop you off in the High Tatras, but the train is more frequent.
The gateway to the High Tatras in Poprad. Once you arrive in Poprad, you can catch a train to any of the small mountain towns, including the one we stayed in. The train costs just a few euros, and they have automated machines at the train station. Just ensure you validate your ticket when you get on the train.
All of our main train trips were done using our Eurail pass. We used that to leave the High Tatras and head towards Bratislava. The train was pretty full, so we were happy to have reservations that were easy to make.
Where to Stay
We found a great apartment right near the train station. It was just a quick walk to the lakefront and we had beautiful views of the mountains on all sides. It was stocked with everything we needed to relax and be comfortable for a few days.
You can check out more details and check availability and price here.
If you want something a little fancier, you can stay right on the lake at this beautiful hotel. We spent time exploring the area around the property, and it’s beautiful. It’s a little further away from the tiny town, but the views are incredible. Plus, as I mentioned before, there is a spa.
Where to Eat
There are a few restaurants near the apartment we rented, so you’ll have options. There was a pizza place, a pastry spot and a few traditional Slovakian restaurants. You will also find a small grocery store stocked with the basics.
We cooked breakfast and lunch ourselves, but we did have dinner out twice at the same place, Reštaurácia Furkotka. It was incredible. The menu had a decent variety of vegetarian options for us. They had very generous glasses of wine and giant salads. But the highlight for us was the plum dumplings. We ordered them both nights because we couldn’t get enough.
Hope You Add The High Tatras to Your Hiking Bucket List!
I can’t express with words how much we loved our stay in the High Tatras. It is an area that we would love to explore even more. I can’t help but wonder if it will soon be as popular as Lake Bled in Slovenia.
If you need a little more, you can see some clips in our quick YouTube video featuring more dumplings and more mountains.
Pin this post for later travels.
