# Štrbské Pleso: Lake, Hikes and Skiing

Source: https://taply.sk/strbske-pleso/ (Taply, updated 2026-10-15)

The easiest way to reach Štrbské Pleso is by a short rack railway or the Tatra Electric Railway from Poprad, but a pre-booked Kiwitaxi transfer from Poprad-Tatry airport is Taply's top pick when you carry luggage or ski gear. The resort sits around 1,350 metres above sea level beside a glacial lake and is a main base for hikes and winter sports.
The area has a lake path, ski jumps from past competitions, a ski area, and trails into some of the most dramatic valleys in the High Tatras.
Below you will find the best ways to get there, walks that suit different fitness levels and notes on the seasons.

## Key points
- Štrbské Pleso is a high-altitude lake resort, popular for both summer hiking and winter skiing.
- Trains reach the resort from Poprad and from Štrba on the rack railway.
- The lake walk is easy. Popradské pleso is a longer but rewarding hike.
- Many high trails nearby are closed from 1 November to 15 June. Check TANAP first.
- Hotel prices rise at Christmas, in February and in peak summer.

## Best ways to get to Štrbské Pleso, ranked
1. **Private transfer with Kiwitaxi** (best for Families and ski groups): Kiwitaxi offers private transfers between cities and airports. Book a car from Poprad-Tatry airport or Košice straight to your hotel at the lake, which is helpful with ski bags and children.
2. **Train and Tatra Electric Railway** (best for Budget travellers): From Poprad, the Tatra Electric Railway runs up to the resort. Another option is the rack railway from Štrba station. Both are standard local routes in the mountains.
3. **Rental car with Auto Europe** (best for Travellers combining several stops): Driving gives you freedom to combine Štrbské Pleso with other Tatra stops and Spiš. Auto Europe is a car rental comparison site where you can check available options.
4. **Transfer offers on GetTransfer** (best for Longer transfers): GetTransfer lets drivers offer prices for your route. Useful for longer trips such as from Bratislava or Kraków.

## What to see at the lake

The lake itself is small, but the setting is the draw: forested slopes in front, the main crest behind. A flat path circles it, and benches make it a good first walk after arrival. Nearby you will see the ski jump hills built for past competitions and a mix of hotels and sports buildings.
For a broader view, see our High Tatras guide.

## Best walks and hikes

- Lake loop: an easy stroll for all ages.
- Popradské pleso: a longer hike on a marked trail to another glacial lake with a mountain hut by the shore. Allow a half day.
- Solisko area: lift-assisted access to a viewpoint ridge, depending on the season and operations.
- Mlynická and Furkotská valleys: for confident hikers, with more altitude gain.
Many high trails are closed from 1 November to 15 June. Always check the TANAP website before you go. For more routes see best hikes in the High Tatras.

## Skiing and winter

In winter Štrbské Pleso becomes one of the main ski areas of the Tatras, with slopes for a range of abilities. Snow conditions and opening dates vary by year, so check the resort operator for current information. See skiing in Slovakia and High Tatras in winter.

## Where to stay and eat

Accommodation is mostly in hotels near the lake. Prices climb at Christmas, in February and in July and August, so book ahead. Cheaper options exist in Poprad and Štrba, a short train ride away. Meals at the resort are pricier than in town, so check menu prices before you sit down.

## Insurance for hiking and skiing

Slovak mountain rescue can bill the person rescued, and winter sports and high-altitude hiking are often excluded from basic policies. EKTA is one provider to compare. Always read the activity and altitude terms. See our travel insurance guide.

## Weather and seasons at the lake

At about 1,350 metres, Štrbské Pleso is cooler than the valley towns all year. Summer days are pleasant, but evenings are cold and storms arrive quickly in the afternoon. Autumn can bring sharp, clear days and colourful forest. Snow arrives early in the season and often stays until spring, so bring warm clothing and waterproof shoes outside the peak summer weeks.
Spring is a quiet time. Facilities can be limited, some lifts are in maintenance, and trails higher up may still hold snow or be closed. Check TANAP and the resort operators when you plan a shoulder-season visit.

## Combining Štrbské Pleso with other stops

The Tatra Electric Railway makes it simple to join Štrbské Pleso with Starý Smokovec and Tatranská Lomnica in one trip. You can hike or ski in one place and return by rail. For a view from altitude, read Lomnický štít, and for more ideas see things to do in the High Tatras.
Travelling on from the Tatras to the east, the Spiš region has castles and old towns that suit a rest day between hikes.

## Getting to Štrbské Pleso compared

Štrbské Pleso is the end of the main Tatra Electric Railway line, and it also connects to a rack railway from Štrba on the main rail line. Taply does not list fares or departure times because they change, so check the operator before you travel.
Option | Best for | Notes | 
Private transfer | Luggage, ski gear, groups | Door to door from Poprad-Tatry airport or Košice, booked in advance | 
Tatra Electric Railway from Poprad | Car-free trips | Runs through Starý Smokovec to the lake resort; the line opened to Štrbské Pleso in 1912 | 
Rack railway from Štrba | Arriving on the main line | Built in 1896; connects with the electric railway at the resort | 
Rental car | Flexible stops, side trips | Parking at the resort is paid and can be limited in season | 

See the Tatra Electric Railway guide for how the line is organised, and Poprad airport to the High Tatras for arrival options.

## A simple day plan

- Morning: walk the flat path around the lake while the light is soft and the car parks are quiet.
- Late morning: start your main hike. Popradské pleso is the classic choice, and the Popradské pleso guide has details. Pack water and a rain layer.
- Midday: eat at the mountain hut by the lake or carry a picnic. Resort restaurants cost more than in Poprad.
- Afternoon: return on foot or by the connecting transport, and be off exposed ground before storms build in summer.
- Evening: take the electric railway back to your base, and check the last departure before you go.
For a harder objective, the resort is also a starting point for hikes towards Kriváň and Rysy. Read the Rysy hike guide before you commit, because it needs fitness, an early start and good weather.

## The resort, the ski jumps and the lake

The glacial lake is the heart of the resort, but the surrounding buildings tell a sporting story. The ski jump complex known as MS 1970 has a 90 metre hill and a 120 metre hill. The 120 metre hill is no longer used for jumping. The resort hosted FIS Ski Jumping World Cup events through the 1980s, and nearly all hotels and sports facilities were rebuilt between 2007 and 2014 ahead of the 2015 Winter Universiade.
That rebuild is why the resort feels more modern than Starý Smokovec, which keeps an older spa-town character. If you prefer historic architecture, base yourself there and visit the lake as a day trip. See where to stay in the High Tatras.

## Common mistakes and tips

- Assuming a cable car or lift is running. Operation depends on season, maintenance and wind, so check High Tatras cable cars and the operator site.
- Starting the Popradské pleso hike in sandals or trainers with no grip.
- Arriving in shoulder season expecting every restaurant and lift to be open.
- Leaving luggage in a parked car. Use your hotel storage if you arrive before check-in.
- Forgetting the cold. At this altitude evenings are chilly even in July.
Families with small children will find the lake path and short forest walks easy. Pushchairs work on the lake path, but not on mountain trails. See High Tatras with kids.

## FAQ

**How do you get to Štrbské Pleso from Poprad?**
Take the Tatra Electric Railway from Poprad or a connecting train and the rack railway from Štrba. A private transfer is faster with luggage.

**Is Štrbské Pleso worth visiting in summer?**
Yes. It is a good base for lake walks and hikes to Popradské pleso and other valleys.

**Can you ski at Štrbské Pleso?**
Yes, the resort has ski slopes in winter. Check current snow conditions and lift information before you travel.

**How long should you spend at Štrbské Pleso?**
One full day covers the lake and a hike. Stay two to three nights if you want to ski or try longer routes.

**Are the trails near Štrbské Pleso open all year?**
No. Many high trails are closed from 1 November to 15 June. Check the TANAP website for the current status.

**Is Štrbské Pleso better than Starý Smokovec?**
It depends on what you want. Štrbské Pleso is higher, with a lake and a ski area. Starý Smokovec is more central and has more historic charm. Many visitors stay in one and visit the other by train.

**Is there a rack railway to Štrbské Pleso?**
Yes. A rack railway links Štrba, on the main rail line, with the resort, and it connects with the Tatra Electric Railway there. Check the current timetable before you travel.