Image: Popradské pleso and the mountain chalets.
Highlights
– Two wonderful but moderate day hikes in the High Tatras Mountains of Slovakia.
Time of Visit: July 2025
Duration of Visit: Six Nights
Description
The High Tatras Mountains span approximately 27 kilometers from West to East and approximately 15 kilometers in width. The mountain range is shared between the countries of Poland and Slovakia. However, the majority of the High Tatras (about 75%) lie in Slovakia, forming the most rugged and highest part of the Carpathian Mountains. This includes Mount Rysy at 2,503 m and Gerlachovský štít at 2,655, the highest peak in the Carpathians.
Despite the compact size, the High Tatras pack a dramatic alpine landscape with numerous peaks, valleys, and glacial lakes within the Slovak territory. The High Tatras in Slovakia provides a stunning alpine playground for outdoor enthusiasts during the summer months. The region is a paradise for hikers of all levels. Well-marked trails wind through the rugged terrain, ranging from easy walks to challenging full-day treks to summits like Rysy..
Here, we describe two wonderful but moderate day hikes which are Popradské pleso and Vodopád (waterfall) Skok. We would have done more hikes if it wasn’t for three back to back rainy days during our visit. We would also have stayed longer had we known that there are many other hikes that can be done in High Tatras in Slovakia.
Besides hiking, there are a few mountain villages at the foot of the High Tatras. We based ourselves at Štrbské Pleso and Tatranská Lomnica which are picturesque villages because of the jagged mountain backdrop. Just walking the quiet streets of these mountain villages, popping into its shops and sampling the Slovak cuisine at various restaurants is enough to warrant a trip to this beautiful part of Slovakia.
But perhaps the most surprising part of all is that this part of Slovakia is either ignored by international tourists or undiscovered. In the village and along the trail, you will notice warm and friendly Slovaks who will greet you “Dobry den” which translates to “Good day”. The High Tatras and the alpine villages are a welcome treat to escape popular overrun tourist destinations in Europe.
The High Tatras also cater to more laid-back activities that make the most of the fresh mountain air. The lakeside village of Štrbské Pleso offers boating, picnicking, and lakeside promenades. Families can enjoy educational trails, botanical gardens, or even summer bobsled runs and rope parks. With its combination of adrenaline-pumping adventures and serene natural beauty, the High Tatras deliver a well-rounded and memorable summer experience in the heart of Slovakia’s most majestic mountain range..
Activities
Hike to Popradské pleso from Štrbské Pleso
Popradské pleso (tarn) is a beautiful glacial lake framed by jagged peaks. This makes the lake picturesque even though its water color is more green than turquoise. A trail around the lake provides several opportunities for an Instagram worthy shot.
Besides the scenery, a couple of alpine chalets located at the lake’s Northwestern shore caters to day hikers’ needs by serving savory meals, drinks and desserts. Their prices are not astronomical and no different from restaurant prices at the village of Štrbské Pleso. This is outdoor dining at its best. You can enjoy good food and drink while soaking in the beauty around you.
According to Alltrails, Popradské pleso from Štrbské Pleso is about 5.6 mi (9 km) with just a hair over 1,300 ft (400 m) of elevation gain. Despite these statistics, the hike did not feel demanding at all. The trail is a lollipop type trail, over rocks and roots but not very steep. Most of the trail is under the cover of trees so it is shaded from the sun, especially in the morning. There are no stairs to tackle.
The trail begins from the village of Štrbské Pleso. At the start of the trail, the sign indicates that the hike to Popradské pleso would take about 1 hour and 5 minutes. We think this on the aggressive side because of the uphill nature and the trail is uneven with rocks and roots. Moving through the trail haphazardly would invite rolling or spraining an ankle or even worse, getting your foot caught and falling down.
From Štrbské Pleso, we followed the red and white markings until we got to the lollipop. At the lollipop, we initially took the right trail (green and white mark) but doubled back after a couple of hundred meters as the trail started to descend. Descending meant being under the tree line and no views.
We were happy that we doubled back and continued on the left trail (red and white mark). After about half a kilometer (0.3 mi), the trail opened up to reveal the jagged peaks. And the views just kept getting better and better as we got closer to the lake.
On the return to Štrbské Pleso, we took the paved road (only wide enough for one vehicle). We think this is the chalets’ access road as entry to it is through a camera monitored gate. Cyclists and people with strollers use this road to reach the lake. It is a longer walk to the village of Štrbské Pleso (by about 30 minutes) but it is easier on the feet because of the level surface unlike the trail.
Vodopád Skok (Waterfall Jump)
Vodopád Skok is another popular day hike that is moderately rated. According to Alltrails, this out and back hike is about 5.6 mi with an elevation gain of just over 1,500 ft and takes an average about 3 hours to complete.
The majority of the trail is over rocks and roots and through the forest. The elevation change is well distributed throughout the hike so it is a gradual ascent with few steep but short sections. Really nothing exciting to see until the trail emerges out of the forest about 30 minutes from the waterfall.
Hitting the trail early will increase your chances of securing a good spot to view the waterfall. I started my hike at 8:30 AM and there were already people on the trail.
If you get tired of looking at the waterfall or the place starts getting crowded, the trail continues on to more alpine lakes. But the trail becomes much steeper to reach those lakes.
The first lake above the waterfall is Pleso nad Skokum which literally translates to “lake above the jump”. Reaching this lake requires grabbing on to chains to aid in the steep but short (15-20 minute) ascent.
The second lake is Kosie pleso and is more demanding to reach. It took me about 40 minutes to reach Kosie pleso from Pleso nad Skokum and my legs felt the hard ascent.
The trail continues on to two more alpine lakes and more elevation gain. The trail maps and Google Map shows that the trail meets up with another trail at Rázcestie pod Furkotou which would allow hikers to return to Štrbské Pleso. Completing this loop would make this a very challenging and long hike.
How To Get There
We made the village of Štrbské Pleso our base to complete these two hikes. We came from the village of Oravsky Podzamok prior to Štrbské Pleso. It took three train rides to reach Štrbské Pleso from Oravsky Podzamok.
The easiest way to reach the village of Štrbské Pleso is to get on the ZSSK train that makes a stop at the village of Štrba. For our case, we got on the train that came from Zelina that was headed to Košice (a city on the Eastern part of Slovakia close to the border with Hungary). From Štrba, we took the 13 minute cogwheel train ride to Štrbské Pleso.
ZSSK stands for Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko, which translates to Slovak Rail Company in English. It is the primary passenger railway operator in Slovakia. Most of their trains are modern and inexpensive to ride. Train tickets can be purchased on-line through their app.
We also based ourselves at the village of Tatranská Lomnica. But unfortunately, this where we got rained on for three straight days.
Štrbské Pleso and Tatranská Lomnica are connected by trains. It involves a train transfer at the alpine village of Novy Smokovec. The journey takes about 30 minutes.
Tatranská Lomica can also be reached by bus from other towns in Slovakia and even from Zakopane, Poland. Both Flixbus and Matopolska Railways have bus routes between Tatranská Lomica and Zakopane. Matopolska Railways shows as bus A15 on Google Maps routing. So Štrbské Pleso can also be reached from Zakopane, Poland via Tatranská Lomica using a bus and train.
Where To Stay
Štrbské Pleso
We stayed in Hotel Ovruc. The hotel is just a stone throw away from the train station and a few minutes walk to restaurants, grocery stores and trailheads. All we can say is that this hotel was a good value for the money and is head and shoulders above any hotel in the US for the same price point. Ours even came with a fully equipped kitchen.
Tatranská Lomica
We stayed in Apartmany Moravienka which is about a 10 minute walk on a slight incline from the train station. It is basically located between the train station and the trailheads.
Our room came with an adequately equipped kitchen. Square footage wise, the accommodation is on the small side but not tight.
How To Get Around
Walking is the primary means of getting around Štrbské Pleso and Tatranská Lomnica as the villages are not that big.
As mentioned before, ZSSK connects the mountain villages.
Expected Expenses
There are no fees to pay to do any of the hikes described here.
If you have a car, you may have to pay a parking fee to park in the villages.
Train rides to go from one village to another is 4 Euros per ride per person
Summary
The High Tatras in Slovakia is a wonderful summer destination. This expansive mountain range is home to the highest peak in Slovakia – Gerlachovský štít at 2,655 meters. Its jagged peaks call hikers to hit the trails to seek out waterfalls, verdant valleys and glacial lakes.
There are a number of mountain villages that can serve as a base to explore the High Tatras. Štrbské Pleso and Tatranská Lomnica are two villages at opposite ends of the mountain range. Both provide excellent access to mountain trails.
At Štrbské Pleso, two of the most popular hikes are Popradské pleso and Vodopád Skok. Both are excellent moderately rated day hikes. Popradské pleso is a picturesque glacial lake framed by mountains. Vodopád Skok is a 25 meter high waterfall that cascades down a rocky terrain, creating a dramatic and beautiful sight. Both hikes can be extended by connecting trails leading to other beautiful destinations.
Whether you want to hike or simply enjoy an alpine village atmosphere, you can never go wrong in spending a few nights in any of the villages at the base of the High Tatras in Slovakia. The cooler weather and beautiful scenery is a delight for the senses. Best of all, it is relatively undiscovered and spared from mass tourism.