Welcome to Smokovec, the heart of the High Tatras. Located in the shadow of Gerlachovsky Peak (2,655m) – the highest peak in Slovakia – Smokovec is considered the centre of the High Tatras. Close to the popular tourist crossroads of Hrebienok, this village is one of the most popular starting points for hiking in the High Tatras.
When you get to the hotel you will be briefed about the week´s program and, depending on the time of your arrival, there might be time for a walk in Stary Smokovec – the oldest village in the Tatras.
Meals included
None
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
After a good breakfast, you’ll take a mountain tram to Tatranska Lomnica, followed by a cable car ride to the mountain lake of Skalnate Pleso (1,751m). This crystal-clear lake is surrounded by forested hills and towering granite peaks, and there’s an astronomical and meteorological observatory near the top, which you’ll have time to look around.
Velka Svistovka (2,037m) is next on your route, and it’s well-known for its high concentration of Tatra chamois. Endemic to the High and Low Tatras, Tatra chamois are a rare subspecies of the chamois. It’s thought that there are only about 600 left. They often wander around in this alpine terrain, close to where you will be walking.
The trail is secured by chains on a few of the more difficult sections, but the mountain provides an accessible and gratifying climb. From the summit of Velka Svistovka, make your descent to the Zelene Pleso Hut. Located at the glacier lake of the same name this is an absolutely beautiful spot for lunch.
From Zelene Pleso you continue to Biela Voda from where you take a public bus back to Tatranska Lomnica, which is only about 10 minutes away.
Note: according to the national park´s regulations a part of this route is closed until 15 Jun 2020. If you’ll be visiting before 15 Jun, this route will be tailored accordingly.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
Today, you start from Skalnate Pleso and trek to two of the Tatras’ mountain huts. Mountain huts have been a part of the Tatras’ tapestry for years; they’re traditional, welcoming and often have a historical story to tell. They also offer tasty lunches!
From Skalnate Pleso, your hike will take you along the Tatranska magistrala trail, full of beautiful viewpoints, to Zamkovskeho hut, a pretty wooden chalet offering a sheltered resting spot. The next one on the list is the Rainerova hut, the oldest hut in the High Tatras, dating back to 1863. Today, it is a small stone building serving drinks and snacks.
Cold Creek Waterfalls is also on your route today, and you can pause here and soak up the fresh mountain air. The waterfalls begin where the Great Cold Creek meets the Small Cold Creek and spill over rocks and boulders and through pine forests. Walking trails run alongside the cascades so that you can admire the views.
Today´s walk ends in the popular resort of Hrebienok, from where you descend to Smokovec by funicular cable car and return to your hotel by foot.
Note: Those who want to make this day more challenging can add an extra hike to Teryho Hut, one of the highest in the High Tatras, adding additional 7km / 3 hours of walking.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
After breakfast you´ll take a funicular to Hrebienok (1,285m) the starting point of our walk.
Today you’ll hike through the Studena Dolina Valley. From its narrow beginnings, the valley gradually gets wider, and terraces harbouring mountain lakes tower above. Pause and enjoy the sight of colourful flowers, the scent of pine trees and the sound of rare birds singing in the mountains as you traverse the valley.
The valley leads you up to Zbojnicka, or ‘Robbers’, Hut, where you can enjoy a traditional lunch of soup and dumplings. Zbonicka Hut is one of the highest at an altitude of 1,960m and still a popular base for trekkers. Its name harks back to the days when it was a hunters’ hut, and poachers used to stalk the valley.
Your hike ends where it started, at Hrebienok. From here, you’ll take a funicular and tram back to your hotel and enjoy a well-earned dinner!
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
After three days of walking, this day is left free to relax. You can visit one of the water parks in the foothills of the Tatras offering indoor and outdoor thermal pools and wellness centres.
If you fancy a different adventure, try rafting in Pieniny National Park. A classic or traditional rafting trip through the Dunajec Gorge is a great way to soak up the views from a different perspective.
Hiring an E-bike is also an option if you want to explore the surroundings on a bike. If you’re a cave lover, then Belianska Cave should be on your list, too.
Cultural trips are also nearby. Spissky Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and dates back to the 12th century. Located on a hilltop above the town of Spisske Podhradie and Zehra village, it was built as the political, administrative, economic and cultural centre of the region.
Levoca is renowned for its authentic and well-preserved architectural profiles of the old medieval town. Explore the historic centre, including the museum and St. James’ church, with the highest wooden altar in the world.
We have some great trips to choose from and can certainly help you to plan and book them.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
Today’s trek starts with a tram journey through the Tatras’ most famous settlements to Strbske Pleso (1,347m), Slovakia´s highest village and home to a beautiful glacial lake. The village is one of the most popular destinations in Slovakia as it provides many kilometres of hiking routes and the chance to admire the lake itself.
From here, follow a trail to the crystal-clear mountain lake of Popradske Pleso, one of the biggest in the Tatra range. Enjoy lunch on the terrace of the mountain hotel, and visit the symbolic cemetery which is dedicated to the victims of the Tatra mountains. In the afternoon, descend back to Strbske Pleso and return to Smokovec.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
Once again, today’s trek starts with a tram journey to Strbske Pleso.
From here, you’ll follow a trail to Skok waterfall. The hiking trail is waymarked and leads you along a road to the peace and tranquillity of the pine-forested Mlynicka Valley. From here, a stony path squeezes you through hairpin turns to the foot of the waterfall, which drops 25m from the rocky ledge above. It’s easy to see why these are among the High Tatras’ top ten attractions – the cascading waters are beautiful as they tumble down the mountain into the pools below. This is the perfect place for your picnic lunch, maybe dipping your feet into the refreshing water before returning to Strbske Pleso and then by tram to your hotel in Smokovec.
Optional walk:
Those who want to make this day more challenging can continue through the valleys and pass several smaller glacial lakes; you’ll reach Pod Soliskom Hut, one of the newer mountain chalets in the region. From here, you can enjoy far-reaching views of the Tatras.
Remember that this optional route also involves trekking through sections secured with chains, and you’ll need a head for heights.
Note: according to the national park´s regulations, this optional route is closed until 15 Jun 2020. If you’ll be visiting before 15 Jun, this optional route is not possible to do.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
Your tour ends after breakfast. We wish you a pleasant journey home and we look forward to meeting you again on some of our other walking holidays.
Meals included
Breakfast