What to do in case of bad weather?

In the event of bad weather, properly dressing can allow for progress in light rain. However, avoid hiking during storm warnings. If adverse conditions arise, public transportation can be used to proceed to your next destination and compensate for any delays.

High Tatras Escape

5 days / 4 nights

1/8

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Explore the breathtaking High Tatras from Štrbské Pleso, with daily hikes to stunning peaks, alpine lakes, and waterfalls in Slovakia’s premier hiking paradise.

Starting point

Štrbské Pleso

Finish point

Štrbské Pleso

Season

From June to September

Technical level

4/5

Fitness level

3/5

Tour type

Center-Based

Explore the breathtaking High Tatras from Štrbské Pleso, with daily hikes to stunning peaks, alpine lakes, and waterfalls in Slovakia’s premier hiking paradise.

Starting point

Štrbské Pleso

Finish point

Štrbské Pleso

Season

From June to September

Technical level

4/5

Fitness level

3/5

Tour type

Center-Based

Enjoy a comfortable base at Štrbské Pleso in the heart of Tatras
Conquer the iconic Kriváň, Slovakia’s most revered mountain peak
Take in the breathtaking views that stretch far into both Slovakia and Poland
Hike to the majestic Skok Waterfall, cascading into the valley below
Spot rare wildlife like the Tatra chamois and marmots unique to the region
Traverse the Mlynická Dolina valley, rich in glacial landscapes and wildflowers

Itinerary of the trip

Welcome to Štrbské Pleso, your base in the heart of the High Tatras. This serene alpine village, framed by towering peaks and lush forests, sits on the shores of a sparkling glacial lake. After settling into your accommodations, take a relaxing walk around the lake, where the mirrored waters reflect the majestic mountains. Soak in the fresh mountain air and explore the area’s charming cafes or enjoy a peaceful evening preparing for your hiking adventure ahead.

Accommodation

APLEND Lake Resort

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

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Your first hiking day takes you along the scenic Tatranská Magistrála trail, a beautiful red-marked route winding through pine forests and rocky paths. As you’ll arrive at the stunning Popradské Pleso, take a break by the lakeside. From the lake, the adventure continues up to Ostrva (1,984 m), offering sweeping views of the Mengusovská Valley and its rugged landscapes. As you loop back to Popradské Pleso, the serenity of the lake's southern shore provides a perfect setting before you descend through the valley back to Štrbské Pleso.

Hiking

11 km and 310 m of elevation gain/loss

Accommodation

APLEND Lake Resort

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

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Today’s hike takes you through dramatic landscapes dotted with pristine alpine lakes. First, you’ll reach Nižné and Vyšné Wahlenbergovo Pleso, two stunning tarns nestled in high-altitude meadows. The trail continues over Bystre Sedlo, where the panoramic views of jagged peaks and distant valleys will leave you in awe. As you descend, you’ll pass several other smaller lakes. The final highlight of the day is the Skok Waterfall, cascading from 25 meters, a perfect spot to pause and take in nature’s beauty. A descent through the peaceful Mlynická Dolina brings you back to Štrbské Pleso.

Hiking

15 km and 1010 m of elevation gain/loss

Accommodation

APLEND Lake Resort

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

A hike to Kriváň is one of the most iconic adventures in Slovakia. From Štrbské Pleso, you’ll trek to Jamské Pleso, a quiet mountain tarn surrounded by serene forest. The path then leads you through the Važecká Valley, past historical mining relics like Pálzmanove Bane. The climb becomes more challenging as you ascend to the Daxlerove Saddle, but the effort is well rewarded with unparalleled views from Kriváň’s summit (2,495 m) that reach far into both Slovakia and Poland. As you descend, you’ll pass the Beliansky Potok and follow the trail to Tri Studničky, before a gentle return to Štrbské Pleso.

Hiking

22.4 km and 1200 m of elevation gain/loss

Accommodation

APLEND Lake Resort

Note: This accommodation is an example of the type and level you will stay in.

Gallery

After a rejuvenating few days in the heart of the Tatras, enjoy a final morning in Štrbské Pleso. Reflect on your incredible mountain adventures as you prepare for your journey home, carrying with you memories of Slovakia’s most beautiful peaks, lakes, and valleys.

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What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

4 nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast

Digital guidebook with itinerary, route instructions, and practical information

GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app

Tour design and organization

Service and support during your hike

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Airport transfer

Extra nights

Hotel upgrades

Single supplement

What to bring to the tour

Hiking shoes/boots
25 to 45-liter backpack
Base layer
Sports T-shirts
Hiking shorts
Hiking water-repellent pants
Waterproof jacket
Midlayer
Sports socks and underwear
Leisurewear for evenings
Down jacket
Gloves
Shade hat/cap

Warm headwear
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Headlamp
Hiking poles
ID card or passport
Snacks
Cash
Water bottles or hydration pack
Sleeping liner
Toiletries
Toilet paper
Small first aid kit

Take a breathtaking journey through the High Tatras, Slovakia's premier hiking destination. This 5-day adventure, with a comfortable base in Štrbské Pleso, offers the perfect combination of stunning alpine landscapes, serene glacial lakes, and exhilarating ascents to some of the region's most iconic peaks.

The High Tatras, often called the "smallest big mountains" in the world, boast dramatic landscapes that rise sharply from the plains. The region is home to diverse landscapes, ranging from peaceful lakeshores to rugged alpine terrain, all accessible via well-marked hiking trails.

Štrbské Pleso, the second-largest glacial lake in the area, serves as your comfortable base for daily hikes, allowing you to explore the best the Tatras have to offer while returning to a welcoming retreat each evening.

From Popradské Pleso, a pristine mountain lake nestled in the shadow of towering peaks, to the Skok Waterfall, cascading dramatically down the rocky slopes, this tour leads you to some of the most beautiful spots in the Tatras.

The ultimate highlight is the climb to the summit of Kriváň, widely regarded as Slovakia's most beautiful mountain and a symbol of Slovak national pride. Standing at the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views that stretch into Poland, making the challenging ascent well worth the effort.

Along the way, keep an eye out for rare wildlife such as the Tatra chamois, as the region is home to unique species found nowhere else in Slovakia.

We understand that a seamless experience is key to fully enjoying your adventure, which is why our itinerary is designed with every detail in mind. We take care of all logistics, from booking you into a comfortable hotel in Štrbske Pleso to providing you with detailed digital guidebooks and GPS tracks to guide you through each day with in-depth information about every stage of the journey.

eady to explore Slovakia's most treasured alpine escape?

Frequently Asked Questions

The best season to hike the Tatra Mountains is typically from late spring to early fall (June to September).

This period offers warmer weather, clearer skies, and the full bloom of alpine flora, enhancing the trekking experience with breathtaking landscapes. Trails are more accessible, and the risk of snow and ice is lower, making it safer for all types of hikers. It's also an excellent time for wildlife observation.

However, always check local weather conditions and trail updates before planning your hike.

Our tours are graded on a scale from 1 to 5 to assess their level of difficulty - 1 being the least challenging and 5 the most.

This rating helps you understand the fitness level required and the extent of hiking involved. Suitable for those who engage in regular physical activity, most tours demand five to seven hours of trekking daily.

"Technical difficulty" refers to the skill level necessary to navigate the trails. A rating of 1 indicates easy, wide paths akin to gravel roads, whereas a 5 suggests rough, irregular terrain requiring the use of hands for progression. Essentially, a higher rating necessitates greater balance and proficiency in navigating complex trails.

Booking your tour early is essential, as accommodations along the trail tend to be reserved quickly. This ensures you secure your accommodation in advance.

Although the trails often run near farms or small villages, some are located in more secluded areas where it’s just not possible to stop. If you sustain an injury, it’s best to contact local emergency services.

However, there's no need for excessive concern. The trails you'll be on are well-rodden, ensuring you won't be left alone in case of an incident.

However, if you simply find yourself unable to continue hiking, it's possible to stop your journey, take a rest in some of the nearby mountain huts and then proceed your way back or to the nearest village.

Mountain huts in the Tatra Mountains provide basic amenities to hikers, including beds, meals, and in some cases, showers. Always bring wet wipes just in case.

There’s no need to bring your sleeping bag, as the huts provide pillows and blankets. However, still bring your sleeping liner.

Cell reception in the mountains fluctuates greatly. Generally, if a town is in sight, you're likely to have a signal. This holds true for mountain huts as well; you might need to step outside to find a connection. As for Wi-Fi, it's hit or miss, with only a select few huts offering access, and many without.

This variability extends to payment methods as well, with only a few huts accepting card payments. So, just to be safe, it’s always important to carry cash with you during your trek.

Ratings & Reviews

5.0 average rating

+17

Leslie Nelken

Verified customer · 1 month ago

Hut-to-Hut set up our accommodations and routes to hike in the High Tatras of Slovakia. Everything went very smoothly. The app with the description for each day and the GPS trail guidance went perfectly. The packing list and links to weather and emergency sites were easily accessible.

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Alex R

Verified customer · 1 month ago

A fantastic 10 day hike in Slovenia. The customer service could not have been better when we had to change our start date at short notice. Similarly when one of the passes was closed on the hiking trail the automatically organised a bus transfer to take us to the next point at no additional costs. Again when one of the hotels was ‘problematic’ and demanded we pay (despite this being booked through the company) they were on the phone in minutes and had forwarded through a refund within 24hrs. As for the hike - simply stunning!

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Satu Taiminmäki

Verified customer · 1 month ago

Communications with Hut-to-hut personnel was pleasant, quick and helpful. The initial guidelines for preparing for the trip (what to bring and so on) was necessarily thorough for a first timer in the Alps. The description of each days' journey was helpful in preparing for planning your food and drinks. The gps app was good to check your whereabouts. I would have found an estimate for the duration of each journey beforehand helpful yet I understand that it can be difficult as we all fare differently. For a healthy female in her late 40's with moderate physical status (meaning 2-3 times of gym per week and brisk daily walking/bicycle instead of jogging or running) a trip of rating 3/5 in challenging was pretty rough yet doable. My 16yrs old son not doing much aerobic training adabted quickly to the needs of that trip. Just to give a reference if anyone is wondering what the ratings might mean to them. 😊 All in all so happy we did this and a big thank you for the Hut-to-hut crew!

Birgit Kindler

Verified customer · 1 year ago

We had a lovely hike today with our guide Klemen. He personalized the tour on our needs and interests, so that we saw places we wouldn't without his experience. The hike was a little bit slippery after the rain from the last days and it went a lot upwards, but it was totally worth it! Thanks again :)

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Claudia Ossa

Verified customer · 2 years ago

9 day hiking trip including rafting and mountain biking. Sadly the weather didn’t help, we had a lot of rain, but Klemen modified our plans, making it a great experience after all. Klemen is an excellent guide and I highly recommend him!!!

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Ann Swainson

Verified customer · 11 months ago

Thank you so much for a fantastic trip. It was absolutely stunning, well organised, and a brilliant trip. Special thanks to Jan for his kindness & support on what was a personally challenging trek.

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