Horný Smokovec: Hiking, Culture and Hotels

Horný Smokovec represents a combination of a hiking base, railway history and local history. The locality serves as a starting point for hikes and as an accommodation base. At the same time, Horný Smokovec is a stop on the Tatranská elektrická železnica (TEŽ). Key themes therefore include trails in the surrounding area, the development of the settlement and the history of the railway line.

Nature and Trails

The VT17 Okolo Smokovcov route is considered an easy walking route with little elevation gain. Veža, Slovkovská nos, Malý Kostol and Slavkovský štít are located in the surrounding area of Horný Smokovec; all four are mountains. Each name therefore refers to a separate mountain destination in the vicinity of the locality.

Culture and History

The Meniareň prúdu Horný Smokovec traction power substation is located on the north side of the railway line in Horný Smokovec and is still used today as a TEŽ traction power substation. It has been designated a cultural monument since 2010. The settlement’s building complex also has a documented historical status: in 1930, it was designated as the new settlement of Horný Smokovec.

In the 1930s, the larger Helios guesthouse and two well-equipped climatotherapeutic sanatoriums were established in Horný Smokovec: the Dr. Jána Opatrného Sanatorium dating from 1930 and the Dr. Júliusa Holzmanna-Horného Sanatorium dating from 1935. Both now serve as children's medical facilities.

In the western part of the present-day settlement of Horný Smokovec, in an area called Pekná vyhliadka, a wooden observation tower and a popular walking path leading to it stood in the 1870s. Tatranská galéria provides another cultural connection: it displays works by significant painters inspired by the beauty of the Tatras.

Equipment

The Intersport GALFY Horný Smokovec branch rents bicycles, e-bikes, outdoor equipment, as well as ski touring and skiing equipment.

Destinations in the Surrounding Area

Votrubova Chata, a historic site, and the Wooden Articular Church in Kežmarok, a church, are located in the area around Horný Smokovec. In the wider regional surroundings of Horný Smokovec are Kláštorisko, a ruin, and Tatrzański Park Narodowy, a park.

Further Destinations

Other places that you can access from here include Tatranska Kotlina, Tatranská Polianka, Tatranska Lomnica, Štrbské Pleso and Starý Smokovec.

If you are viewing or comparing hotels for a stay in Horný Smokovec, check the exact location, type of accommodation and possible occupancy on the respective offer page. Also pay attention to which services are included and which price components make up the total. Before booking, the booking and cancellation conditions should also be clearly identifiable. This allows occupancy, services, price components, and booking and cancellation conditions to be specifically compared before making a decision. This is particularly helpful when several people, different services or various price details need to be taken into account.

To the higher-level travel overview: Vysoké Tatry.