A less well-used route to a comparatively easy summit, with no chains or scrambling, and providing fine views over tarn-filled valleys. Popradské Pleso is the largest and deepest tarn in the Slovak Tatras.
From Štrbské Pleso station follow:
Red 0930E 4.5km N to Popradské Pleso
Blue 2902B 5km NW to Vyšné Kôprovské Sedlo
Red 0934 1km N to Kôprovsky Štít and return 1km to Vyšné Kôprovské Sedlo
Blue 2902A 13.5km SW to Tri Studničky
5 ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO – VODOPÁD SKOK – BYSTRÁ LÁVKA – VYŠNÉ WAHLENBERGOVO PLESO – ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO (1355m–2300m)
| Grade | Strenuous |
| Distance | 14.5km |
| Average gradient | 15% |
| Height gain | 945m |
| Height loss | 945m |
| Time | 6h 30m |
| Refreshments | Štrbské Pleso, Chata pod Soliskom (on optional alternative only) |
A popular route, easily accessible from Štrbské Pleso, mostly above the tree-line, and with excellent views. The route is easy as far as the waterfall, but there is a fixed chain and some scrambling near the top. You must follow the route anticlockwise, as described, to avoid meeting oncoming walkers on the chain, and because if there is snow near the saddle the route is more difficult to find clockwise.
From Štrbské Pleso station follow:
Yellow 8853A 4.5km NW to Vodopád Skok and 2.5km further (
Yellow 8853B 1km SW to Vyšné Wahlenbergovo Pleso, 2.5km to junction Blue 2836B, 1.5km to junction Red 0930F
Red 0930F 2.5km SE to Štrbské Pleso
Optional alternative Take Blue 2836B 1km SE to Chata pod Soliskom (some climbing), then either walk 3.5km down Blue 2836B to Štrbské Pleso or take chair-lift (total 15km or 11.5km).
6 ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO – CHATA POD SOLISKOM – PREDNÉ SOLISKO – CHATA POD SOLISKOM – FURKOTSKÁ DOLINA – ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO (1355m–2093m)
| Grade | Moderate |
| Distance | 11.5km |
| Average gradient | 13% |
| Height gain | 738m |
| Height loss | 738m |
| Time | 4h 15m |
| Refreshments | Chata pod Soliskom, Štrbské Pleso |
Predné Solisko is a very popular minor summit, because it is just a short walk from the chair-lift, and provides good views over Štrbské Pleso.
From Štrbské Pleso station follow:
Blue 2836B 3.5km NW to Chata pod Soliskom (or take chair-lift)
Red 0935 1.5km N to Predné Solisko and return to Chata pod Soliskom
Blue 2836B 1km NW to Furkotská Dolina
Yellow 8853B 1.5km SE to junction Red 0930F
Red 0930F 2.5km SE to Štrbské Pleso
Optional alternative From Chata pod Soliskom return on Blue 2836B to Štrbské Pleso – this has better views than 2836/8853/0930 (total 10km).
7 ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO – POPRADSKÉ PLESO – RYSY AND RETURN (1355m–2500m)
| Grade | Strenuous |
| Distance | 18km |
| Average gradient | 15% |
| Height gain | 1145m |
| Height loss | 1145m |
| Time | 9h 00m |
| Refreshments | Štrbské Pleso, Popradské Pleso, Chata pod Rysmi |
One of the most popular routes, as Rysy is the highest summit on the waymarked route network, with fine views into Poland. You can save 15 minutes walking in each direction by starting instead at Popradské Pleso station and using Blue 2902B to and from the tarn. For a route suggestion that includes the Polish side of Rysy, see page 208.
From Štrbské Pleso station follow:
Red 0930E 4.5km N to Popradské Pleso
Blue 2902B 1.5km N to junction Red 0933
Red 0933 (
8 ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO – POPRADSKÉ PLESO – OSTRVA – BATIZOVSKÉ PLESO – SLIEZSKY DOM – STARÝ SMOKOVEC (1010m–1984m)
| Grade | Moderate |
| Distance | 19km |
| Average gradient | 10% |
| Height gain | 571m |
| Height loss | 916m |
| Time | 7h 00m |
| Refreshments | Štrbské Pleso, Popradské Pleso, Sliezsky Dom, Starý Smokovec |
A route featuring one of the more dramatic sections of the Tatranská Magistrála (see page 93), with good views of the Sub-Tatras Basin. It can be followed in the reverse direction, but would then involve more climbing, unless you take the funicular to Hrebienok. For those wishing to return to Štrbské Pleso or Tatranská Lomnica, Green 5806B from Sliezsky Dom to Tatranská Polianka provides a quicker descent to the bus or train.
From Štrbské Pleso station follow:
Red 0930E 4.5km N to Popradské Pleso
Red 0930D 1.5km SE to Sedlo pod Ostrvou, then 3.5km E to junction Yellow 8855, then 1km NE to Batizovské Pleso and 1.5km SE to junction Yellow 8856, then 2km NE to Sliezsky Dom
Green 5806B 0.5km SE to junction Yellow 8858
Yellow 8858 2km SE to junction Blue 2905 and 2.5km to Starý Smokovec
The Hrebienok funicular
9 POPRADSKÉ PLESO STATION – POPRADSKÉ PLESO TARN – ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO (1250m–1494m)
| Grade | Easy |
| Distance | 7.5km |
| Average gradient | 5% |
| Height gain | 244m |
| Height loss | 139m |
| Time | 2h 15m |
| Refreshments | Popradské Pleso, Štrbské Pleso |
An easy and popular short route to and from a beautiful tarn, passing the Dubček Stone, plus an opportunity to view the unique Symbolic Cemetery. In winter you will have to use Green 5805, as Red 0930E is closed because of avalanche danger.
From Popradské Pleso station (1km NE of Štrbské Pleso) follow:
Blue 2902B 3.5km N to Popradské Pleso tarn
Red 0930E 4km SW to Štrbské Pleso tarn
Optional diversion On Yellow 8854 to Symbolický Cintorín (Symbolic Cemetery, small fee payable, closed 1 January to 15 June) adds 0.5km/15mins plus viewing time.
10 TATRANSKÁ POLIANKA – SLIEZSKY DOM – BATIZOVSKÉ PLESO – VYŠNÉ HÁGY (1010m–1879m)
| Grade | Moderate |
| Distance | 13.5km |
| Average gradient | 12% |
| Height gain | 869m |
| Height loss | 794m |
| Time | 6h 00m |
| Refreshments | Tatranská Polianka, Sliezsky Dom, Vyšné Hagy |
This route used to be mostly in forest, but since the Tatranská Bora is now on open terrain nearly all the way, with grand views from the Tatranská Magistrála section (see page 93). Sliezsky Dom is one of the most scenic chalets in the High Tatras.
From Tatranská Polianka station follow:
Green 5806B 4.5km NW to Sliezsky Dom
Red 0930D 2km SW to junction Yellow 8856, then 1.5km NW to Batizovské Pleso, then 1km SW to junction Yellow 8855