# Best Hikes in the High Tatras

Source: https://taply.sk/best-hikes-in-the-high-tatras/ (Taply, updated 2026-10-13)

The best hikes in the High Tatras range from easy walks to Popradské pleso and the Studenovodské waterfalls to demanding ridge routes such as Rysy, and the most practical first step is to have insurance that covers mountain hiking. Taply ranks EKTA first for this reason: rescue on the mountain is not always free, and many standard policies exclude hiking above a certain altitude.
Trails are well marked with coloured stripes and signposts, and mountain huts offer food and rest. Weather and seasonal closures decide what is possible.
The guide below sorts the main options and gives planning tips.

## Key points
- Many high trails are closed from 1 November to 15 June. Check TANAP before planning.
- Start early. Afternoon storms are common in summer.
- Easy options: Popradské pleso, Hrebienok and Štrbské Pleso. Harder: Rysy and the ridge routes.
- Hiking on higher routes can require chains, ladders and good fitness.
- Check that your travel insurance covers hiking at altitude.

## Best ways to prepare for High Tatras hikes, ranked
1. **Hiking and ski insurance with EKTA** (best for Anyone hiking above the treeline): EKTA is a travel insurance provider where you can get a quote for trips. For mountain hiking, check that the policy covers the activity, the altitude and rescue costs before you buy.
2. **Private transfer with Kiwitaxi** (best for Fly-in hikers): Kiwitaxi offers private transfers between cities and airports. Arrange a car from Poprad-Tatry airport or Košice to your resort so you can start hiking soon after you land.
3. **Tatra Electric Railway** (best for Hikers staying in the resorts): The narrow-gauge railway connects the three main resorts and Poprad, so you can start a trail from one place and finish in another.
4. **Rental car with Auto Europe** (best for Experienced hikers with a plan): A car lets you reach trailheads outside the main resorts, such as the Belianske Tatras area. Auto Europe is a booking site to compare rental options.
5. **Guided activities on Klook** (best for First-time mountain hikers): Klook lists guided activities across Europe. Look for guided hikes in the Tatras if you want local knowledge on route and weather.

## Easy walks

- Štrbské Pleso lake loop: a flat path around the lake. See Štrbské Pleso.
- Hrebienok and the Studenovodské waterfalls: take the funicular from Starý Smokovec and walk to the falls.
- Popradské pleso: a longer but moderate walk to a glacial lake with a mountain hut.

## Which hike for which person

You are... | Choose | Why | 

Travelling with young children or a stroller | Štrbské Pleso lake loop | Flat, short and easy to leave early. | 

A first-time visitor with average fitness | Hrebienok and the waterfalls | A lift gets you high, and the walking is gentle. | 

A regular walker who wants a mountain lake | Popradské pleso | A clear goal with a hut at the end. | 

An experienced hiker with proper boots | Rysy | The classic high-mountain day, in the right season and weather. | 

Our guides to [Hrebienok](https://taply.sk/hrebienok/) and [Popradské pleso](https://taply.sk/popradske-pleso/) give a closer look at the two most useful starting walks.

## Moderate hikes

Routes to mountain huts such as Zamkovského chata and Téryho chata take several hours and gain real altitude. They suit people with regular walking fitness. Expect rocky steps and some steep stretches. Check the weather, bring poles if you like them, and book hut meals or beds ahead in summer where possible.

## Demanding routes

Rysy, on the border with Poland, is the best-known high-mountain hike on the Slovak side. It is a long day with exposed sections, snow patches into early summer, and it should be treated as a serious mountain route. Other high routes use chains and need a head for heights. Gerlach, the highest peak, can be climbed only with a licensed mountain guide. Do not attempt these without experience and a good forecast.

## Choosing a base for hiking

The resort you sleep in decides how long your approach is. Štrbské Pleso is the closest to the Popradské pleso and Rysy routes, Starý Smokovec is the central hub with the funicular to Hrebienok, and Tatranská Lomnica serves the cable car and the eastern trails. [Where to stay in the High Tatras](https://taply.sk/where-to-stay-in-the-high-tatras/) compares them. The electric railway lets you change base for a day without a car, see [Tatra Electric Railway](https://taply.sk/tatra-electric-railway/).

## Seasons and closures

Many high trails above the mountain huts are closed from 1 November to 15 June. This is a general rule in the Tatra National Park, but details differ by route and year. Most huts stay open in winter, though a few, such as Chata pod Rysmi, close. Check the official TANAP website for current closures before every trip. Even in July, snow can remain on north-facing slopes.

## What about Lomnický štít and the cable cars?

Lomnický štít, at 2,634 m, has no hiking trail to its summit, so it is reached by cable car only. That makes it a good option for people who want high-mountain views without a technical climb. Details on lifts are in [High Tatras cable cars](https://taply.sk/high-tatras-cable-cars/), and the peak itself is described in [Lomnický štít](https://taply.sk/lomnicky-stit/).

## Safety and gear

- Start at dawn. Storms build in the afternoon.
- Wear sturdy boots with grip, and carry a rain jacket, warm layer, water and snacks.
- Bring a charged phone and call 112 in an emergency.
- Stay on marked trails and do not camp wild in the park.
- Turn back when the weather changes.
Read our High Tatras guide for the overview and things to do for alternatives on bad-weather days.

## Planning a hiking day

A good plan starts the evening before. Check the weather forecast for storms and wind, choose a route that fits your slowest walker, and set a turnaround time. Allow more time than guidebook estimates if you walk with children or take many photos. Mountain huts sell hot food and drinks, but opening times and prices vary, so carry your own water and snacks.
Trail signs use coloured stripes and give times in hours and minutes. Treat the times as a guide and add extra for rest stops.

## Common mistakes on Tatra trails

- Starting late. Afternoon storms are a real hazard above the tree line. Leave early.
- Underestimating the weather. Conditions can change fast, and snow can remain on shaded slopes into summer.
- Wearing trainers on rocky steps. Boots with grip and ankle support help a lot.
- Ignoring closures. Check current closures with TANAP before you set out, because rules differ by route.
- Counting only on a phone. Download the map and carry a power bank.
- Skipping insurance. Rescue can be charged. See [hiking insurance for the High Tatras](https://taply.sk/hiking-insurance-high-tatras/).
For a plan that spreads these hikes over several days, see the [3-day High Tatras itinerary](https://taply.sk/high-tatras-itinerary-3-days/), and for the season overview see [High Tatras in summer](https://taply.sk/high-tatras-in-summer/).

## Getting to the trailheads

Most popular trailheads are in or near the three main resorts and can be reached by the Tatra Electric Railway. Poprad is the gateway town, and Starý Smokovec is the central hub. For help with the journey to the mountains, read Bratislava to the High Tatras, Košice to the High Tatras and Kraków to the High Tatras.

## Hiking with children

Families can hike in the Tatras if they pick routes that match the youngest walker. Short, well-marked paths such as the Štrbské Pleso loop or the walk around Hrebienok suit small children, and a lift can shorten the climb. Pack extra layers, since it is colder at altitude than in the resort, and set a turnaround time you will keep. Huts are good places for a break but may be busy at midday. More ideas are in [High Tatras with kids](https://taply.sk/high-tatras-with-kids/).

## How many days to spend hiking

One day gets you a single route, two days give you a lift or lake plus one longer hike, and three days allow a reserve for weather. A sensible rhythm is an easy first day to adjust to altitude, a long hike on the best forecast day, and a flexible final day. The [3-day High Tatras itinerary](https://taply.sk/high-tatras-itinerary-3-days/) follows that pattern, and [best time to visit Slovakia](https://taply.sk/best-time-to-visit-slovakia/) helps with season choice. Some trails also work well on a bike, see [e-bikes in the High Tatras](https://taply.sk/e-bike-high-tatras/).

## FAQ

**What is the best easy hike in the High Tatras?**
The walk to Popradské pleso or the Hrebienok and waterfalls route are good easy choices. Both suit most fitness levels.

**When are High Tatras trails open?**
Many high trails are closed from 1 November to 15 June. Check the TANAP website for current rules.

**Do you need a guide for the High Tatras?**
Not for most marked trails. Gerlach and some other climbing routes require a licensed mountain guide.

**Is Rysy hard to hike?**
Yes. It is a long day with exposed sections and snow into early summer. Go only with experience and good weather.

**Do you need insurance for hiking in Slovakia?**
It is strongly advised. Mountain rescue can be charged, and many basic policies exclude higher-altitude hiking.

**Can I hike up Lomnický štít?**
No. The summit of Lomnický štít (2,634 m) is reached by cable car only. There is no hiking trail to the top.

**How should I choose between the resorts for hiking?**
Štrbské Pleso is closest to Popradské pleso and Rysy, Starý Smokovec is central, and Tatranská Lomnica suits the cable car. The railway links them.