Tatranská Lomnica: cable cars, hikes and how to get there

The cable car to Skalnaté pleso and Lomnický štít

The cable car from Tatranská Lomnica stops at Start and Skalnaté pleso before the red suspension cable car to the peak. The top section climbs about 855 m in roughly 8.5 minutes. At the peak there is a terrace above steep rock and a high-altitude botanical garden. Skalnaté pleso is a popular stop on its own and a start point for walks. Read more in our Lomnický štít guide.

Things to do

• Walk the educational trail around Skalnaté pleso.
• Take the cable car to Lomnický štít on a clear day.
• Ride the Tatra Electric Railway to Starý Smokovec or Štrbské Pleso for a change of scene.
• Take an easy forest walk near the resort.
• In winter, ski or enjoy the lift views. See skiing in Slovakia.

Planning around weather

Mountain weather affects the top section, and clouds can hide the view. Check conditions before you buy a ticket for the peak, and carry warm clothes, because it is much colder at 2,634 m than in the valley. The cable car has maintenance closures during the year, so check the operator's site before planning around it.

Where to stay

Tatranská Lomnica has hotels, guesthouses and apartments close to the lift. Starý Smokovec and Štrbské Pleso are the other main bases, and Poprad is cheaper and has more restaurants. For a broader plan see the High Tatras guide and things to do in the High Tatras.

Getting around from the resort

Trains link Tatranská Lomnica with the other resorts. Walkers can reach several trailheads from the resort. If you have kids, see High Tatras with kids. If you arrive by air, read Poprad airport to the High Tatras.

A half-day plan

Take the cable car up in the morning while visibility is usually best, spend time at Skalnaté pleso, and decide there whether to continue to the peak based on the weather. Come down for lunch in the resort and use the afternoon for a short walk or a train ride to Starý Smokovec. If clouds sit on the top, switch the peak to another day rather than paying for a view of mist.

On a full day you can add an easy walk around the educational trail at Skalnaté pleso and a stop at the observation terrace at the top. Check the last descent time so you are not caught late.

Tatranská Lomnica in winter

The resort is also a base for winter sports and for views from the lift in snowy months. Check which pistes and lifts are open and whether the peak section is running, since weather often closes high lifts. See High Tatras in winter for what to expect and how to plan a snow trip.

Costs and ticket tips

Cable car prices change by season and by section, so check the operator's site before you go. A ticket to Skalnaté pleso costs less than the full ride to the peak, which suits families on a smaller budget. If you plan several lifts in a few days, ask about combined or multi-day passes. Compare options in our Slovakia travel cost guide for a rough budget, and book ahead for summer weekends.

Getting to Poprad first

Most visitors arrive by plane at Poprad-Tatry airport, by train from Košice or Bratislava, or by road. From Poprad, the railway and buses reach the resorts. Read Bratislava to the High Tatras and Košice to the High Tatras to plan the first leg, and add a day in the resort before you decide on the peak.