# Studenovodské Waterfalls: A Short Walk from Hrebienok Source: https://taply.sk/studenovodske-waterfalls/ (Taply, updated 2026-10-12) The Studenovodské waterfalls are an easy mountain walk from Hrebienok, and the most practical way to reach the start is the train from Poprad to Starý Smokovec, but if you carry luggage a pre-booked Kiwitaxi transfer is Taply's top pick. The falls are listed among the most popular waterfalls in Tatra National Park. They sit along the Studený stream, with two main falls: the tall Obrovský vodopád (Giant Waterfall) and the cascading Dlhý vodopád (Long Waterfall). The walk suits families more than long hikes do, and it adds a mountain feel without a full day on high trails. This page covers ranked ways to get there, what to expect and the seasonal limits. ## Key points - The waterfalls are reached on foot from the Hrebienok area above Starý Smokovec. - The walk is shorter and easier than the big lake hikes. - Stay on marked trails, as the area is inside Tatra National Park. - Check TANAP and the funicular operator for current status and hours. - Combine the walk with a hut stop for food. ## Quick facts - Starting point: Hrebienok, above Starý Smokovec - Difficulty: Easy to moderate walk - Season: Best in summer and early autumn - Rules: Stay on marked trails in the national park ## Best ways to reach the Studenovodské waterfalls, ranked 1. **Private transfer with Kiwitaxi** (best for Families and airport arrivals): Kiwitaxi offers private transfers between cities and airports. Book a car from Poprad-Tatry airport to Starý Smokovec for an easy start without timetable stress. 2. **Train and funicular** (best for Budget travellers): From Poprad take the Tatra Electric Railway to Starý Smokovec and continue by funicular or on foot toward Hrebienok. Check the operator sites for hours and fares. 3. **Rental car with Economybookings** (best for Road trippers): Economybookings is a car rental broker that compares offers from several suppliers. Check the deposit, insurance excess and mileage terms before you book. 4. **Walk from Starý Smokovec** (best for Active visitors): If you are fit, you can walk up the forest paths rather than take the funicular. Check the marked route and current status on TANAP. ## What the waterfalls are The Studenovodské waterfalls (Studenovodské vodopády) are a series of cascades on the Studený stream. The best known are Obrovský vodopád and Dlhý vodopád. On-site signs give details for each fall. ## How to get there The usual route starts at Hrebienok, a viewpoint and path hub above Starý Smokovec. A funicular and marked paths link the two, so check the operator for hours and fares. From Hrebienok, marked trails lead to the waterfalls. Wear shoes with grip, as paths can be wet and slippery near spray. For transfers from the airport see Poprad airport to the High Tatras. ## Seasons and trail rules The best time is summer and early autumn, when water flow and paths are easier. In Tatra National Park many higher trails are closed from 1 November to 15 June, and shorter paths can be icy outside summer. Check the TANAP website and the funicular operator before you go. Do not leave the marked path. ## Tips for families The walk is among the easier ones in the range, but the paths are uneven, so strollers are a poor idea. Bring a rain jacket and a warm layer. Plan food at a hut or in the resort, and check menu prices first. For more family ideas see High Tatras with kids. ## Combining with other stops Add a day at Lomnický štít or a lake walk at Štrbské Pleso. For longer hikes read best hikes in the High Tatras. If you need a base, Poprad is the budget choice and the resorts are closer to the trails. For cover on mountain days see hiking insurance. ## Step by step: from Starý Smokovec to the falls - Reach Starý Smokovec by train from Poprad or by road, see [the Tatra electric railway](https://taply.sk/tatra-electric-railway/). - Take the funicular up to Hrebienok, or walk up if you prefer exercise. Check the operator for hours and fares. - From Hrebienok follow the marked path toward the falls. - Look at the cascades from the viewing points and stay on the path. - Return the same way, or walk down if your knees agree. The whole outing can take a few hours including time at the top. Allow more if you stop at a hut or take photos. ## Easy walk or longer hike? Option | Effort | Good for | Funicular up, walk to the falls and back | Low to moderate | Families, first-timers | Walk up from Starý Smokovec | Moderate, steady climb | Walkers who want exercise | Combine with other Hrebienok paths | Moderate | Half-day trips | See [Hrebienok](https://taply.sk/hrebienok/) for the viewpoint and the paths around it. ## What to wear and bring - Shoes with grip, since rock and paths can get wet near the falls. - A waterproof layer and a warm top, because spray and altitude make it cooler than the resort. - Water and a snack. - A small amount of cash for huts and car parks. See [the Slovakia packing list](https://taply.sk/slovakia-packing-list/) for a fuller kit list. ## Bad weather and closures If rain is heavy or the path is icy, change plans. Wet slopes are slippery, and some paths can be closed for safety. Check the funicular operator and the park information on the day. A cloudy day may hide the views from Hrebienok, but the falls still run, and the valley is calm. In winter, expect different conditions and fewer services. For other cold-season ideas, see [the High Tatras in winter](https://taply.sk/high-tatras-in-winter/). ## Where to base yourself Staying in Starý Smokovec puts you close to the funicular, while Poprad is cheaper and has the airport and rail links. See [where to stay in the High Tatras](https://taply.sk/where-to-stay-in-the-high-tatras/) to compare. For a longer visit, add a day on the cable cars, see [High Tatras cable cars](https://taply.sk/high-tatras-cable-cars/). ## Photos and respect for the place Water and low light make photos tricky. Steady your phone against a rail, wipe the lens after spray and avoid stepping off the path for a better angle. Tatra National Park protects the area, so leave nothing behind and keep dogs and drones in line with local rules, which you should check on the park site. Early morning gives the quietest conditions, and cloudy days soften the light on the water. ## Rainy-day alternatives nearby If the weather turns, there are indoor options in the resorts and nearby towns. Poprad has an aquapark, see [aquaparks in Slovakia](https://taply.sk/aquaparks-in-slovakia/), and [Kežmarok](https://taply.sk/kezmarok/) is a short trip for a castle and a historic square. Check opening hours first. ## How long to spend and what to combine The falls make a good half-day outing. Pair them with a late lunch in a resort and a short stroll along the paths around Hrebienok, or stay up for sunset views if the last descent fits your plans. If you have two days, put the falls on the lighter day and keep the higher, longer routes for the day with the best forecast. See [things to do in the High Tatras](https://taply.sk/things-to-do-in-the-high-tatras/) for more ideas. ## FAQ **Where are the Studenovodské waterfalls?** In the High Tatras, reached by marked trails from the Hrebienok area above Starý Smokovec. **Is the walk suitable for children?** Many families do it, but paths are uneven. Check the current route before you go. **Are the waterfalls open in winter?** Trail status changes by season. Check TANAP and the funicular operator. **How do I get to Hrebienok?** By funicular or on foot from Starý Smokovec. Check the operator site for hours. **Do I need a guide?** No on the marked paths, but stay on them and check conditions. **How long does the waterfall walk take?** Plan a few hours including the funicular or the climb, and more if you add a hut stop or other Hrebienok paths.