The Slovak side of the Tatras — Vysoké Tatry — is steeper and higher than the Polish one, with more than 20 peaks over 2,500 m and Gerlachovský štít (2,655 m) the highest point of the whole Carpathian arc. The range rises abruptly from the Poprad basin, so the peaks are visible from the plains long before you arrive.
Along the foot of the mountains, a string of resorts founded in the 19th century — Štrbské Pleso, Starý Smokovec and Tatranská Lomnica — is linked by the red trains of the Tatra Electric Railway. From them, cable cars, a funicular and dozens of trails lead to waterfalls, mountain lakes and staffed huts (chaty).
Top things to do: High Tatras (Slovakia)
Štrbské Pleso and Popradské pleso
Walk around the glacial lake of Štrbské Pleso, then take the easy trail to Popradské pleso and its mountain hotel, with the Symbolic Cemetery for mountain victims nearby.
Lomnický štít cable car
From Tatranská Lomnica, cable cars climb via Skalnaté pleso to the summit of Lomnický štít at 2,634 m. Capacity to the top is limited — book time slots online well in advance.
Hrebienok and the Cold Creek waterfalls
From Starý Smokovec the funicular rises to Hrebienok, starting point for an easy walk to the Studený potok waterfalls and the Rainerova chata hut.
Hike to a mountain hut
Téryho chata, Chata pri Zelenom plese and Zbojnícka chata make superb day hikes or overnight stops. Some huts are still supplied by porters carrying huge loads on their backs.
How to get to High Tatras (Slovakia)
- By train: Poprad-Tatry is on the main Bratislava–Košice line (about 4 hours from Bratislava); change there to the Tatra Electric Railway.
- By air: Poprad has a small airport with seasonal flights; Kraków and Košice are the nearest large airports.
- From Zakopane: about 1–1.5 hours by road over the border at Łysa Polana; see the day trip from Zakopane.
Insider tips
- Most high-altitude trails are closed from 1 November to 15 June to protect nature; valley trails to the huts stay open.
- Gerlachovský štít may only be climbed with a certified mountain guide.
- Mountain rescue in Slovakia is not free for foreign visitors — make sure your insurance covers hiking.
- Weather changes fast; afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer.
Best tours & tickets: High Tatras (Slovakia)
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see High Tatras (Slovakia):
Day trip from €80 From Zakopane: Treetop Walk and Štrbské Pleso Trip
The Tatras are shared between two countries, and the Slovak side is steeper, higher and quieter. This trip takes you over the border from Zakopane to the treetop walk at Bachledova dolina and on to the glacial lake at Štrbské Pleso.
- Cross into Slovakia’s side of the Tatras
- The Bachledka treetop walk above the Belianske Tatras
- The lakeside resort of Štrbské Pleso
Day trip from €99 From Košice: Prešov, Spiš Castle, Levoča & Štrbské Pleso Tour
Eastern Slovakia’s greatest hits in one day: Prešov, the vast ruin of Spiš Castle on its limestone hill, the Renaissance square of Levoča and finally the High Tatras at Štrbské Pleso.
- Spiš Castle, one of Central Europe’s largest castle ruins
- The UNESCO-listed old town of Levoča
- The mountain lake at Štrbské Pleso
Day trip from €167 Bratislava: Čičmany, Bojnice, Orava & High Tatras Day Tour
A long but hugely varied grand tour of northern Slovakia from the capital: folk-art village, two storybook castles and the High Tatras on the horizon. Nearly 400 reviews say the pace works — but it is a day in the vehicle.
- The painted wooden houses of Čičmany
- Bojnice and Orava castles
- A first look at the High Tatras
