High Tatras – Nature, Educational Trails and Hotels

The High Tatras form part of the eastern Tatra Mountains in Tatra National Park (TANAP). Between botanical gardens, educational trails, marked mountain paths and historic buildings, the region reveals itself in many different facets. Nature-related stations are located in the destination area, as are paths leading to well-known peaks and places where the history of the Smokovci settlements or the culture of the Tatras is presented.

Nature and landscape

In Tatranská Lomnica, the Expozícia tatranskej prírody presents typical vegetation ranging from wetlands, raised bogs and fens through forests to species of alpine meadows and the highest Tatra elevations. Around 330 plant and woody species that occur naturally in Tatra National Park can be seen there in total. The site also includes a short walk among trees, ponds, streams and a waterfall.

Another natural area is Pramenisko. The educational trail forms part of an almost 3.5 km circular walking route that begins at the Expozícia tatranskej prírody, the botanical garden in Tatranská Lomnica. Pramenisko is designated as a national nature reserve and belongs to the Natura 2000 network of habitats of European importance, including mountain and foothill riparian forests. Two viewing platforms and wooden footbridges through wet terrain are part of the educational trail.

Mountain paths and educational trails

The peaks of the High Tatras differ in terms of their locations and the routes described to them. Rysy is a 2,499 m-high border peak between Slovakia and Poland on the main ridge of the High Tatras. A marked trail leads from Chata pri Popradskom plese via Chata pod Rysmi and the Váha saddle to the summit. Slavkovský štít is 2,452 m high and is considered a popular viewpoint peak among hikers. Východná Vysoká lies between Poľský hrebeň and Prielom; common starting points for tours to this peak from the southern foothills are Starý Smokovec and Tatranská Polianka.

There are also trails of varying designs around Hrebienok. The approximately half-day hike to Zbojnícka chata begins in Hrebienok, which can be reached from Starý Smokovec by funicular. The route from Starý Smokovec via Hrebienok to Rainerova chata runs on asphalt and compacted gravel and is suitable for families with pushchairs. The Hrebienok educational trail is open year-round; stations 1 to 5 and 7 are also accessible to people with disabilities. As an approximately 4 km circular route with little difference in elevation, it begins and ends in Hrebienok. Its stations explain how glaciers shaped the Tatra valleys, what Tatra granite is and how complex the upper forest line is.

Lomnický štít can be reached by cable car from Tatranská Lomnica or from the Skalnaté Pleso cable-car station. The summit is home to a hydrometeorological observatory and, since 1962, a physical-astronomical observatory of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.

Culture and places of learning

The TANAP Museum combines natural history with regional culture. The ethnographic section presents the material and spiritual culture of the people from villages in the Tatra foothills and in the Tatras. Dioramas illustrate the habitats of typical Tatra animals, including the Tatra chamois, Tatra marmot, lynx, wolf, brown bear and capercaillie. The museum also offers tactile models of animals, plants and habitats, as well as orientation panels with Braille.

The stations of the History of the Smokovci educational trail convey the historical connections between the places. It leads through Starý Smokovec and Nový Smokovec and provides information about the history of the Smokovci settlements at seven stations.

Historic and special places

Among the notable buildings is the Roman Catholic wooden church in Dolný Smokovec, which is one of the most significant architectural monuments in Dolný Smokovec. It was built at the end of the 19th century in the neoclassical-Secession style, based on a design by the architect Gedeon Majunke. Starý Smokovec is also home to the luge start trainer. This unique structure is the only one of its kind in Slovakia and also enables the public to enjoy a safe ride on real racing sledges.

A Stations of the Cross begins near the centre of Starý Smokovec. Its stations follow the path to the so-called Pekná vyhliadka. Thus, the Smokovci settlements contain both historic paths and religious architecture, as well as notable evidence of the region's leisure and sporting history.

Orientation in the destination area

A park-and-ride car park with space for 450 cars is available for travelling to a starting point below Tatranská Lomnica. It is served by shuttle buses year-round.

More destination pages: Starý Smokovec, Tatranska Lomnica, Tatranska Kotlina, Horný Smokovec, Štrbské Pleso, Tatranská Polianka, Hôrka, Vernár.

To the higher-level travel overview: Poprad District.