Mt Rysy – 2,499 metres above sea level
Mt Rysy is the highest accessible peak in the High Tatras for all tourists. It is actually a border peak between Slovakia and Poland, as it can be reached from both the Polish and Slovak sides. Along the way, there are several safety chains and also the highest-located mountain chalet in the Tatras – Chalet below Mt Rysy (2,250 metres above sea level). Similar to the chalet, the trail is not open all year round and it is subject to winter closure from 1st November to 15th June.
Mt Rysy has three summits: the middle (main) summit (2,503.0 metres above sea level), located in Slovakia; the northwest summit (2,498.7 metres above sea level), the highest point in Poland, located on the Slovak-Polish border; and the southeast summit (2,473 metres above sea level), located in Slovakia.
Level of difficulty: high
Altitude difference: about 1,250 metres
Hike length: about 7-8 hours
Route: Štrbské pleso (tarn) – Popradské pleso (tarn) – Mengusovská dolina (valley) – Junction below Mt Rysy – Žabie plesá (tarns) – Chata pod Rysmi (chalet) – sedlo Váha (saddle) – Mt Rysy and back.
Mt Kriváň – 2,495 metres above sea level
Mt Kriváň is the symbol of the Tatras, easily recognisable by its curved summit, where a Cyril and Methodius cross is placed. The summit offers a panoramic view mainly of neighbouring peaks in the High Tatras, as well as the Western and Polish Tatras. The hike is not technically demanding but is relatively long and strenuous.
Level of difficulty – medium to high
Altitude difference: about 1,566 metres (if starting from Tri Studničky), 1,299 metres (if starting from Štrbské Pleso)
Hike length: 6 hours (starting point at Tri Studničky) or 8 hours (starting point at Štrbské Pleso)
Route: The hike to Mt Kriváň can begin either at Štrbské Pleso and continue along a red trail (1 hour) to the Junction at Jamské pleso (tarn) and from there along a blue trail (3 hours to the summit). From the car park at the former Chalet of Capt. Raša in the area of Tri studničky, a green trail runs to Krivánsky žľab (gully) and a blue trail continues from there. The hike to the summit takes 3.5 hours.
Mt Slavkovský štít – 2,452 metres above sea level
Mt Slavkovský štít is a sought-after panoramic peak, with a broad, sprawling summit at the end of the southeast ridge extending from Mt Východná Vysoká. It is one of the most visible peaks in the Tatras and towers dominantly above the village of Starý Smokovec. The ascent is challenging but offers beautiful views, especially of the southern side overlooking Poprad and the Low Tatras. Along the way, you’ll also find Slavkovská vyhliadka (outlook spot) from where Veľká Studená dolina (valley), Zamkovský’s chalet and Obrovský vodopád (giant waterfall) can be admired.
Level of difficulty: medium, long route
Altitude difference: about 1,467 metres
Hike length: about 7:20 hours
Route: The hike begins in Hrebienok and continues along a red trail in the direction of Sliezsky dom to the Junction below Mt Slavkovský štít, which takes 25 minutes, and from there along a blue trail to the summit of Mt Slavkovský štít, which is 3 hours.
Mt Východná Vysoká – 2,428 metres above sea level
Mt Východná Vysoká is located between the saddles of Poľský hrebeň and Prielom. The name “Východná Vysoká” (Eastern High) describes its position in relation to the surrounding peaks. The summit offers views of the entire Tatras, making it a popular panoramic peak.
Level of difficulty: high
Altitude difference: about 1,400 metres
Hike length: 8:30 hours
Route: Tatranská Polianka – Sliezsky dom (mountain hotel) – Velický vodopád (waterfall) – Kvetnica (clearing) – Dlhé pleso (tarn) – Poľský hrebeň (saddle, the upper section is exposed and includes safety chains) – Mt Východná Vysoká (rocky, slightly climbing terrain in the second half of the ascent turning into rocky scree)
Mt Kôprovský štít – 2,367 metres above sea level
Mt Kôprovský štít is a distinctive Tatra peak located in Krivánska rázsocha (ridge section of Mt Kriváň). This peak is very popular with visitors to the High Tatras as the route passes through Kôprová dolina (valley) and Mengusovská dolina (valley), where the largest tarn of the Tatras in Slovakia – Hincovo pleso can be found. The summit provides a circular view of other Tatra peaks such as Kriváň, Mengusovské štíty, Rysy, as well as Temnosmrečinské plesá (tarns) and Veľké Hincovo pleso (tarn).
Level of difficulty: high
Altitude difference: about 1,050 metres
Hike length: 7 hours
Route: Štrbské Pleso – Popradské Pleso – Mengusovská dolina (valley) – Veľké Hincovo pleso (tarn) – Vyšné Kôprovské sedlo (saddle) – Mt Kôprovský štít
Mt Jahňací štít – 2,229 metres above sea level
Mt Jahňací štít is the easternmost peak in the High Tatras. You will love by the beautiful view from the summit, making it one of the most frequented tourist destinations. One can see the surrounding valleys, Mt Lomnický štít, Mt Pyšný štít, the Belianske Tatra Mts., and the Pieniny Mts. including their Tri koruny summit from there.
Level of difficulty: high
Altitude difference: about 1,320 metres
Hike length: 8 hours
Route: Tatranská Lomnica – Tatranské Matliare – Dolina Kežmarskej Bielej vody (valley) – Chalet at Zelené pleso (tarn) – Kolový priechod (saddle) – Mt Jahňací štít
Mt Predné Solisko – 2,093 metres above sea level
Mt Predné Solisko is a tourist-accessible peak which offers excellent views of Mlynická dolina (valley). On the southern slope, there is a ski piste and a chairlift which runs from Štrbské Pleso and ends at the Chalet below Mt Solisko at the altitude of 1,840 metres. Mt Predné Solisko is one of the lower easily accessible peaks, suitable even for families with children. If the weather is good, the surroundings of Štrbské Pleso, Mlynická dolina (valley), the Skok waterfall and nearby peaks such as Kriváň, Patria and Končistá can be seen from the summit of Mt Predné Solisko.
Level of difficulty: low to medium
Altitude difference: about 1,320 metres
Hike length: 1.5 – 2 hours (if taking a chairlift), 4 hours without using a chairlift
Route: Štrbské Pleso – Chalet below Mt Solisko – Mt Predné Solisko
Photo source: www.tatry.sk
