Guide to the High Tatras (Vysoké Tatry)
The High Tatras located in the northern part of Slovakia on the border with Poland. They are the highest mountain range in the country, covering 341 km2. In 1949, they were declared the first national park in Slovakia. Together with the Polish part of the Tatras, they were added to the UNESCO list in 1993. The villages of Kežmarok, Spišská Sobota and Poprad are part of the High Tatras, as well as the popular tourist centers Štrbské Pleso, Starý Smokovec, Ždiar and Tatranská Lomnica. The highest peaks located in the High Tatras are Gerlachovský Štít (2655 m.a.s.l.), Rysy, Kriváň and Lomnický štít.
Accommodation in the High Tatras
In the High Tatras, we can offer you hotels, apartments, aparthotels, guesthouses, but also private accommodation, villas or resorts. The offer is really varied and will satisfy even the most demanding clientele. Of the four-star hotels offering comfortable accommodation with a high level of services, we can offer the Grand Hotel Bellevue located in the village of Horný Smokovec. The hotel offers a spa, an indoor pool, a night club and two restaurants. Pension Tatrasport Zampa is located in the center of Starý Smokovce with cozy rooms, a restaurant and rental of skis, snowboards and bicycles. Prices are around 60 Euros for a double room with breakfast per night. In the middle of beautiful nature, you can stay at Penzion Gabriel with modern rooms and a shared kitchen, in the summer you can sit in the spacious garden with a barbecue, in the winter you can rent ski equipment here. For fans of apartment accommodation, we can offer very nice and modernly furnished Mountain Villas Polana apartments in Nový Smokovec. Mountain Villas Polana offers views of the High Tatras, free Wi-Fi in all rooms and just a few steps to the Hrebienok ski slope.
History of the High Tatras
The so-called core of the High Tatras originates in the Primorsky Mountains, which is approximately 210 million years ago. The first settlement of the High Tatras dates back to the Early Stone Age. The inhabitants of that time were engaged in metal processing. The Celts, who inhabited this area at the turn of the century, were already able to process iron and subsequently trade with the Romans. Between 1241 and 1242, a tribe of Tatars invaded the territory of the High Tatras, with whose arrival the economy and pastoralism began to flourish. During the reign of Matyáš Corvín in the 14th century, iron ore began to be mined here. A large number of tunnels were created here. An important year for the High Tatras was 1948, the creation of TANAPU or the Tatra National Park. As already mentioned, in 1993 the High Tatras were added to the UNESCO list.
Transportation to the High Tatras
There are regular bus connections between all villages and towns in the High Tatras area, there are also railway lines and traditional cable cars.
Attractions, monuments and activities in the High Tatras
The High Tatras offer an abundance of activities, excursion options, attractions and historical monuments. Here you can enjoy alpine hikes, which you can go on alone or with a guide. In the winter months, you can visit popular ski resorts such as Štrbské Pleso, Tatranská Lomnice, Zuberec and other smaller resorts. In the summer months, there are a number of well-maintained cycling and walking trails. Among the museums that you can visit in the High Tatras are, for example, the Podtatra Museum in Poprad and the Museum of the Tatra National Park in Tatranská Lomnica. You can also go to Kežmar Castle in the town of the same name. Ascents to several interesting viewpoints are offered for fans of alpine tourism. We can mention Koprovský štít, Lomnická and Slavkovská lookout. Štrbské Pleso is a popular destination for tourists, both in the summer and in the winter months. In summer, many beautiful flowers, trees and shrubs bloom here. In winter, Štrbské pleso is mainly a destination for skiers. There is also a diving board. The highest lake in the High Tatras is Velké Hlincovo lake, which lies at an altitude of 1945m. In Mlynická dolina you will find one of the most beautiful and highest waterfalls called Skok. You can reach the waterfall by walking from Štrbské pleso. In the High Tatras, you should not miss visiting at least one of the many caves. The most famous ones include Belianska cave or Demänovská cave of freedom. The center of the High Tatras and the center of tourism is the town of Starý Smokovec.