1. Rysy Peak
- Where: High Tatras, Slovakia
- Starting Point: Popradské Pleso
- End Point: Rysy Peak
- Time Needed: 8-10 hours.
- Distance and Type: 24 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Difficult
- When to Hike: Late June to early October.
- Where to Stay: Various accommodation options available in the nearby towns of Poprad and Tatranská Lomnica
The Rysy Peak hike is one of the most challenging and rewarding hikes in the High Tatras. It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, including the neighboring country of Poland. The trail is steep and rocky, with some exposed sections, but the effort is well worth it for the stunning views at the top. Hikers should be prepared for changing weather conditions and should bring proper gear, food, and water.
2. Sucha Bela Canyon
- Where: Slovak Paradise National Park, Slovakia
- Starting Point: Podlesok parking lot
- End Point: Podlesok parking lot
- Time needed: 3 hours.
- Distance and Type: 6 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
- When to Hike: Late spring to early autumn (May to October).
- Where to Stay: There are various accommodation options in the nearby town of Spišská Nová Ves.
Sucha Bela Canyon is a beautiful hiking trail that offers stunning views of the waterfalls, gorges, and limestone formations. The trail takes you through the narrow canyon and requires some rock scrambling, climbing up ladders, and crossing a few streams. The trail is well-marked, and hikers are advised to wear proper hiking shoes and bring enough water and snacks.
3. Velky Rozsutec
- Where: Mala Fatra National Park, northwestern Slovakia
- Starting Point: Stefanova or Terchova village
- End Point: Velky Rozsutec peak
- Time Needed: 5-6 hours.
- Distance and Type: 10.5 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Difficult
- When to Hike: Best time to hike is from late spring to early autumn (May to October), when the weather is mild, and the trails are clear.
- Where to Stay: There are several accommodation options in Terchova village, including hotels, guesthouses, and campsites.
The trail to Velky Rozsutec is one of the most popular hikes in the Mala Fatra National Park, offering stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The trail starts from either Stefanova or Terchova village and follows a well-marked path through the forest, over streams and along the ridge. The ascent to the summit is steep and challenging, but the panoramic views from the top are well worth the effort. The trail is rocky and exposed in some parts, and hikers should be prepared for some scrambling and steep drop-offs. It is important to wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring plenty of water and snacks.
4. Krivan Peak
- Where: High Tatras National Park, Slovakia
- Starting point: Tri Studnicky parking lot or Štrbské Pleso train station
- End point: Krivan Peak summit
- Time needed: 6-8 hours.
- Distance and Type: 11 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Difficult
- When to Hike: June to October (depending on snow conditions).
- Where to Stay: Poprad, Štrbské Pleso, or nearby mountain huts.
The hike to Krivan Peak is a challenging but rewarding climb with stunning views of the surrounding High Tatras Mountains. The trail starts off with a gentle ascent through forests before becoming steeper and more exposed as it reaches the rocky summit. The final ascent involves some scrambling over rocks and boulders, so proper hiking gear and experience are necessary. The views from the summit, which is shaped like a pyramid, are spectacular and well worth the effort.
5. Chopok Peak
- Where: Low Tatras National Park, Slovakia
- Starting Point: Srdiečko, Jasná
- End Point: Chopok Peak
- Time Needed: 6-8 hours.
- Distance and Type: 15 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
- When to Hike: Best time to hike is from June to September, but it can also be hiked during the winter months for experienced hikers.
- Where to Stay: There are several accommodation options in the nearby town of Demänovská Dolina, including hotels, guesthouses, and chalets.
The hike to Chopok Peak is one of the most popular hikes in Slovakia, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The trail starts at Srdiečko in Jasná and leads hikers through alpine meadows and forests to the summit of Chopok, which stands at 2,024 meters above sea level. The trail is well-marked, but it can be steep and rocky in some sections, so proper hiking gear is recommended. At the summit, hikers can enjoy panoramic views of the Low Tatras and the surrounding areas.
6. Prielom Hornadu
- Where: Slovensky Raj National Park, Slovakia
- Starting point: Podlesok parking lot
- End point: Podlesok parking lot
- Time needed: 5-6 hours.
- Distance and Type: 11 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
- When to Hike: Late spring to early fall (May to October) when the weather is mild, and the trail is open.
- Where to Stay: Accommodations are available in nearby towns like Spišská Nová Ves or Poprad.
Prielom Hornadu is a popular hiking trail in Slovensky Raj National Park that takes visitors through a scenic canyon with waterfalls, gorges, and rock formations. The trail includes several challenging sections with ladders, chains, and bridges, as well as stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Hikers should be prepared for some steep climbs and narrow sections that require careful footwork and a head for heights. The trail is well-marked and can be completed in a day, with plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery along the way.
7. Ostrva Peak
- Where: High Tatras, Slovakia
- Starting Point: Strbske Pleso
- End Point: Ostrv Peak
- Time Needed: 4-5 hours.
- Distance and Type: 9.5 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
- When to Hike: Late spring to early fall (May to October) when the weather is mild, and the trail is open.
- Where to Stay: Accommodations are available in towns like Strbske Pleso or Tatranska Lomnica.
The Ostrva Peak trail is a popular and challenging hike in the High Tatras. The trail starts at Strbske Pleso and leads through forests, alpine meadows, and rocky terrain to reach the summit of Ostrva Peak. Along the way, hikers will enjoy stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The trail is well-marked but can be slippery and steep in places, especially if it has rained recently. Hikers should be prepared with proper gear and plan for an early start to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.
8. Certova Brana
- Where: Low Tatras National Park, Slovakia
- Starting Point: Parking lot at Hotel Srdiečko or Hotel Trangoška.
- End Point: Certova Brana rock formation
- Time Needed: 4-5 hours.
- Distance and Type: 10 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
- When to Hike: Best time to hike is from June to October when the weather is good, and the trail is free of snow.
- Where to Stay: There are several hotels and guesthouses in the nearby town of Demänovská Dolina or in the larger city of Liptovský Mikuláš.
This hike takes you through beautiful forests and up to the Certova Brana (Devil’s Gate) rock formation, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The trail is well-marked but can be steep in places, with some scrambling required towards the top. Hikers should be in good physical condition and wear appropriate footwear.
9. Janosikove Diery
- Where: Mala Fatra National Park, Slovakia
- Starting point: Stefanova parking lot
- End point: Terchova
- Time needed: 4-5 hours.
- Distance and Type: 8 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Moderate
- When to Hike: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Where to Stay: Terchova village, nearby guesthouses, and hotels.
The Janosikove Diery trail takes you through a series of canyons, gorges, and waterfalls, and is named after Slovakian folk hero Juraj Janosik, who was said to have hidden in these caves. The trail can be challenging with steep climbs, narrow pathways, and occasional ladders, but the stunning views and unique natural formations are worth the effort.
10. Gerlachovsky Peak
- Where: High Tatras, Slovakia
- Starting point: Strbske Pleso or Tatranska Lomnica (depending on the route).
- End point: Gerlachovsky Peak
- Time needed: 8-10 hours.
- Distance and Type: 18 kilometers circuit
- Difficulty: Difficult
- When to Hike: June to September (depending on weather conditions)
- Where to Stay: Accommodations are available in the nearby towns of Strbske Pleso and Tatranska Lomnica.
The hike to Gerlachovsky Peak is a challenging but rewarding experience, taking you through stunning alpine scenery with views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. The trail is steep and rocky, with some sections requiring scrambling and traversing over narrow ridges. It is recommended for experienced hikers only, as it involves some exposure and can be dangerous in bad weather conditions. Hikers should be properly equipped with appropriate clothing, footwear, and equipment, and should be prepared for changes in weather and temperature.