# High Tatras with kids: easy walks, cable cars and fun Source: https://taply.sk/high-tatras-with-kids/ (Taply, updated 2026-10-13) The High Tatras are good for families if you choose short, easy outings: a lake walk at Štrbské Pleso, the cable car to Skalnaté pleso, or an aquapark when it rains. A pre-booked Kiwitaxi transfer from Poprad-Tatry airport is the easiest way to arrive with children and luggage. At Skalnaté pleso, at 1,751 m, there is a children's playground dominated by a large marmot structure and an educational trail around the tarn with family questions on the boards. This guide ranks the best ways to organise the trip and then lists easy activities, base towns and practical tips. ## Key points - Stay in Tatranská Lomnica, Starý Smokovec or Štrbské Pleso for easy access to short walks and lifts. - Skalnaté pleso has a children's playground and an educational trail, reached by cable car. - The Tatra Electric Railway links the resorts, which saves car trips. - Rainy days are good for AquaCity Poprad or other aquaparks. - Keep walks short and carry layers, because mountain weather changes. ## Quick facts - Best base: Tatranská Lomnica or Starý Smokovec - Easy lake walk: Štrbské Pleso - Cable car to Skalnaté pleso: Playground and educational trail - Rainy day: Aquapark in Poprad ## Best ways to plan the High Tatras with kids, ranked 1. **Private transfer with Kiwitaxi** (best for Families with luggage): Kiwitaxi offers private transfers between cities and airports. A pre-booked car from Poprad-Tatry airport or a nearby city means no luggage on trains and no waiting with tired children. Check vehicle and child seat options when you book. 2. **Tatra Electric Railway** (best for Travelling between resorts): Narrow-gauge trains link Poprad with Starý Smokovec, Tatranská Lomnica and Štrbské Pleso, usually about hourly and more often in peak summer hours. Fares are low. It is a fun ride for children. 3. **Rental car** (best for Longer family stays): A car helps with trips to aquaparks, castles and villages around the Tatras. Parking at popular resorts can be full in peak times, so arrive early. See our guide to car rental in Poprad. 4. **Cable cars and lifts** (best for Short mountain outings): The cable car from Tatranská Lomnica reaches Skalnaté pleso, a short ride from a playground and easy trails. The Lomnický štít section needs more planning and tickets can be limited. ## Easy things to do with children - Walk around the lake at Štrbské Pleso, a flat path. - Cable car to Skalnaté pleso in Tatranská Lomnica for the playground and educational trail. - Short forest walks from Starý Smokovec. - An aquapark day: see aquaparks in Slovakia. ## Where to base your family Tatranská Lomnica has the cable car and is calm. Starý Smokovec is a historic resort with many hotels and short walks. Štrbské Pleso has the lake and a high-altitude feel. Poprad is cheaper and has an aquapark, with the railway to the resorts. See the High Tatras guide for more. ## What to avoid with young children Long, exposed routes such as Rysy are not suitable for children. High trails above the tree line are closed from 1 November to 15 June. Stay on easy marked paths and check the weather before you set out. For longer hikes see best hikes in the High Tatras. ## Rainy days and winter When it rains, aquaparks such as AquaCity Poprad are the easiest backup plan. In winter, ski schools in the resorts take beginners; see High Tatras in winter and skiing in Slovakia. ## Packing and safety - Layers, rain jackets and sun protection, even in summer. - Sturdy shoes for gravel paths. - Water and snacks. Huts and cafes exist at lakes but not on every path. - Family travel insurance. ## A simple three-day family plan Day 1: arrive in Poprad, move to your resort by the Tatra Electric Railway or a transfer, and walk around the lake at Štrbské Pleso. Keep the day short after the journey. Day 2: take the cable car to Skalnaté pleso from Tatranská Lomnica, use the playground and walk the educational trail. Have lunch at the restaurant there and return before the afternoon weather turns. Day 3: spend a relaxed day at an aquapark such as AquaCity Poprad, or take another short walk from Starý Smokovec. If you have older children who like adventure, the Start station on the Lomnický štít line is known for downhill scooters and similar activities. Check the current age and height rules before you go. ## Prams, toddlers and teenagers The lake path at Štrbské Pleso is flat, but forest paths are often rough, so a carrier suits toddlers better than a pram. Teenagers may enjoy the cable car to Lomnický štít, with views from the second highest peak of the High Tatras at 2,634 m. Tickets for the top section can be limited, so check availability and book ahead where possible. The ride up to Lomnický štít takes around 8.5 minutes and climbs 855 m, which some young children find unsettling. Altitude and cold can also be a surprise, so bring warm clothing even in July. ## Costs and budgeting Slovakia is cheaper than many Alpine countries, but cable cars and aquaparks are not free. Check current prices on official sites before you go and look for family tickets. Rail fares on the Tatra Electric Railway are low. See Slovakia travel cost for typical costs. ## Food, toilets and rest stops Resorts have restaurants, bakeries and playgrounds, while paths between them have few services. Carry water and snacks, and use the facilities at lift stations and huts before you head out. At Skalnaté pleso there is a restaurant and a cafe, which makes it a comfortable stop with children. Plan lunch at a resort instead of on the trail if you have toddlers, and keep a change of clothes in the bag in case of rain. A relaxed pace matters more than distance in the mountains. ## What suits each age group Age | Good options | Notes | Toddlers | Lake walks, playgrounds, short funicular rides | Carrier is easier than a pram on forest paths | Ages 5 to 9 | Educational trail, short forest walks, waterfalls | Pace by the child, with snacks | Ages 10 to 14 | Cable car rides, longer walks, scooters in summer | Check height and age rules | Teenagers | High cable car, a harder day walk, bike hire | Stay on marked trails | ## Easy outings from Starý Smokovec The funicular from Starý Smokovec to Hrebienok is a simple family outing, with a flat path and a walk to waterfalls nearby, see [Hrebienok](https://taply.sk/hrebienok/) and [Studenovodské waterfalls](https://taply.sk/studenovodske-waterfalls/). Check the current rules and operating times. The Tatra Electric Railway links the resorts, so children enjoy the train ride too, see [the Tatra Electric Railway](https://taply.sk/tatra-electric-railway/). ## Weather, clothes and altitude Weather turns fast in the mountains. Dress children in layers, with a hat and gloves at altitude even in summer. Sun is strong at height, so use sunscreen and sunglasses. Keep an easy plan B, such as an aquapark or a museum, and decide in the morning based on the forecast. For seasonal planning, see [High Tatras in summer](https://taply.sk/high-tatras-in-summer/) and [High Tatras in winter](https://taply.sk/high-tatras-in-winter/). ## Where to stay with children Choose a resort with a short walk to a playground or a lift, and a room with a kitchen if you need meals at odd times. Apartments suit families better than hotel rooms for longer stays. Book early for summer and winter holidays, see [where to stay in the High Tatras](https://taply.sk/where-to-stay-in-the-high-tatras/) and [High Tatras cable cars](https://taply.sk/high-tatras-cable-cars/) for lift planning. ## Safety rules for families Keep children on marked paths, and never let them climb on cliffs or approach edges. Carry a first aid kit, a whistle and a charged phone, and know that the European emergency number 112 works across Slovakia. Follow trail closure signs, particularly in winter when high routes are closed, see [hiking insurance for the High Tatras](https://taply.sk/hiking-insurance-high-tatras/). Leave early so you finish before afternoon storms, which can form quickly in summer. ## FAQ **Are the High Tatras good for kids?** Yes, if you keep to easy outings such as lake walks, cable cars to Skalnaté pleso, short forest walks and aquaparks. **What is there for children at Skalnaté pleso?** There is a playground with a large marmot structure and an educational trail around the tarn with questions for families on the boards. **Is Rysy suitable for children?** No. It is a demanding summer hike with chains and exposed sections, and it is not a family outing. **Where is the best base for a family?** Tatranská Lomnica, Starý Smokovec and Štrbské Pleso all work. Poprad is cheaper and has an aquapark. **What can we do on a rainy day?** Visit an aquapark such as AquaCity Poprad, or stay in a resort town and plan a shorter outing between showers. **What age is good for the High Tatras?** Any age can enjoy easy walks, lifts and playgrounds. Plan around naps and short distances for toddlers, and choose easy marked routes.