Mountain safety
On average, twenty people a year die in the High Tatras. Keep safe by hiking with two or more people and making sure someone knows where you are going. Wear layers, a waterproof and windproof coat, and hiking boots. Always take plenty of water and some food. Buy a whistle – the emergency signal is 6 blasts. Weather conditions change fast, so check the prognosis before you leave; the Mountain Rescue Service in Starý Smokovec will give you a forecast. If you get in trouble, call Mountain Rescue (t 18300) right away. Don’t think of them as an easy fall-back, though; they charge a large fee for call-outs.
On Yer Hike
If you’re not a hiker, there are plenty of shorter routes to leave the heel unblistered. Ask for maps or recommendations at any of the tourist offices.
Štrbské pleso–Popradské pleso A scenic stroll between two lakes that takes less than two hours. On the way you’ll pass the Symbolic Cemetery, a memorial garden to those who died in the Tatras.
Biela voda–Chata pri Zelenom please Takes a little under 3 hours, and it ends on a high, with beautiful mountain panoramas around the chalet.
Kriváň peak When you’ve got your mountain legs, hike up this high, hook-nosed peak (2495m – a hike for summer only), beloved of Slovak Romantic poets. It’s one of the highest mountains in the Tatras and the walk takes a full day. You can start from Štrbské pleso and follow the red trail towards Podbanské. Peruse our safety tips before starting out.