Geographical information
During the High Tatras Hike you will visit these cultural, historic and nature places:
Košice (city)
Košice is the second largest Slovak city; more than 230 000 inhabitants live here. This area was settled as early as the primeval ages. The first written reference of the city dates back to 1230. In 1342 Košice became a royal municipium and in 1369 it became the first city in Europe to be awarded its own coat-of-arms. In Košice there are plenty of historic sites. The best known is a monumental St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral, built in the 15th century, the largest Dome in Slovakia. Košice are also well known for its International Peace Marathon, one of the oldest world’s marathons.
Day 1
High Tatras (mountain range)
The tallest and the most beautiful Slovak mountains, visited by lots of tourists. The Tatras are a part of Carpathian Mountains. The highest peak of the Tatras – Gerlachovský peak – reaching to 2654 meters above the sea level is also the highest peak of the whole Carpathian mountains. The Tatras divide to Western Tatras and Eastern Tatras that are divided into High Tatras and Belianske Tatras. The High Tatras offer great opportunities for tourists, mountain-climbers, skiers and ski-alpinists. The High Tatras are a part of the Tatra National Park – TANAP.
Cog-wheel railway
The cog-wheel railway from Štrba to Štrbské pleso is one of the two cog-wheel railways in Slovakia. It started operation in 1896 and continued until 1933. It was re-opened in 1970. At the present it is 4,7 km long.
This is the best known and the most often visited Mountain Lake in High Tatras. This second largest mountain lake on the Slovak side of the High Tatras lies in the altitude of 1347 meters. At present it is an important recreational centre. The first cottage here was built in 1872. In 1935 and 1970 the world skiing championship took place here.
Lies in the altitude of 1494 meters above the sea level. A Symbolic Cemetery of all people who list their lives in High Tatras is situated nearby.
Cottage at the Popradské mountain lake (cottage)
The mountain cottage/hotel at the bank of the Popradské mountain lake. The first cottage here was built in 1879. The cottage operates all-year-round and has a capacity of 120 beds.
Kôprovský peak (peak)
Very attractive peak of the High Tatras reaching to 2363 meters above the sea level. The view from its top is just beautiful; one can see both Slovak and Polish side of the High Tatras from here. Under the Kôprovský peak there is the largest and deepest mountain lake on the Slovak side – the Large Hincovo mountain lake, 53 meters deep. Ascend to the Kôprovský peak is quite difficult, but rewarding – it leads through the beautiful Mengusovská valley.
Day 3
Starý Smokovec (village)
The most important tourist centre and the oldest village in the High Tatras. The first buildings here were built in 1793. The village lies at the hillside of the Slavkovský peak in the altitude of 990 meters above the sea level.
The valley is 4.5 km long; at its end there are Five Spišské mountain lakes. It is one of the most often visited valleys in the Hight Tatras. In the upper part of the valley at 2015 meters above the sea level there is a well known tourist cottage – Téryho cottage – the highest laid tourist cottage in Slovakia. In the lower part of the valley the Zamkovského cottage can be found.
Veľká studená dolina (valley)
This valley is 7 km long. 22 mountain lakes can be found here. In 1960 meters above the sea level lies the tourist Zbojnícka cottage and at 1295 above the sea level there is the Rajnerova cottage.
Zbojnícka chalet (chalet)
This tourist cottage lies in the Veľká studená valley at 1960 meters above the sea level. The first cottage here was built in 1907.
Zelené (Green) mountain lake
Vell known mountain lake at Vysoké Tatry. It is distinctively green; this is how it gained its name (zelené - green). Next to the lake there is the Mountain cottage at the Zelené mountain lake.
Day 5
Belianska cave
The only accessible cave at High Tatras. It was discovered in 1881 and made accessible in 1882. It is 3641 meters long. The route is 1370 meters long and it takes 70 minutes.