The High Tatras

Guidebook detailing walks and scrambles in the High Tatras mountains of Poland and Slovakia. Varied routes among the strikingly beautiful craggy peaks of the High, Western and White Tatras range from easy to strenuous. Includes useful lists of summits as well as practical advice on accommodation and facilities, travel, mapping and language.

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Overview

With breathtaking scenery, some 600km of well-maintained, waymarked paths and a selection of characterful resorts, the Tatras mountains have all the elements of a perfect walking holiday. Straddling the border between Slovakia and Poland, the region boasts stunning mountain landscapes: rocky pinnacles, craggy peaks, jagged ridges and towering cliffs, mirror-surfaced tarns and dancing waterfalls.

Covering the Western, High and White Tatras, and both sides of the Polish-Slovakian border, it presents 180 walks and scrambles routes of between 1km and 30km (both circular and linear and from easy to strenuous) linking the main resorts with peaks, lakes and mountain chalets. In Poland, there is just one base - delightful Zakopane - whereas in Slovakia, you can walk from several villages strung out along the foot of the range and linked by a tramway. The guide also includes a wealth of information about local services, facilities and attractions and extensive practical advice covering travel and insurance, accommodation and facilities, mountain guides, languages and safety in the mountains. The Tatras have been designated as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in recognition of their rich biodiversity and the guide presents a summary of the region's plants and wildlife, as well as its fascinating history. Other highlights include an ascent of Krivan, the national symbol of Slovakia, glorious ridge walks in the Western Tatras and gentler strolls taking in caves and waterfalls. Blending information with inspiration, this book is a must for anyone wishing to visit the High Tatras.

Table of Contents

Preface

1 AN INTRODUCTION TO THE TATRAS

Background

Early history

Vegetation and wildlife

Weather

National parks

Languages

Place names

Border controls

2 PREPARATION FOR WALKING

When to go

Obtaining information

Travel and insurance

Accommodation

Fitness

Clothing and equipment

Maps

Paths and waymarking

Refreshments and toilets

Mountain chalets or refuges

Mountain guides

Mountain safety and emergency services

Winter walking

Cross-border walking

Mountain photography

How to use this guide

Grading of walks

3 THE SLOVAK HIGH AND WHITE TATRAS

Later history

Walking

Tatranská Bora

Route suggestions

Waymarked network

With a guide

Path descriptions

Cesta Slobody

Red routes

Tatranská Magistrála

Blue routes

Green routes

Yellow routes

Selected timings

Highest summits

Travel

Diversions

Shopping and local services

Other useful information

Gazetteer

4 THE POLISH TATRAS

Later history

Walking

Route suggestions

Path descriptions

Red routes

Blue routes

Green routes

Yellow routes

Black routes

Selected timings

Highest summits

Travel

Diversions

Shopping and local services

Other useful information

Gazetteer

Appendix A Glossary

Appendix B Accommodation

Appendix C Useful contacts

Appendix D Suggested kit list

Appendix E The Tatras mountain code and Visitors’ Charter

Appendix F Help!

Updates

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November 2021

Updates

Page 54, paragraph 2. It is now possible to hire guides with a special licence from the National Park to take you to summits off the waymarked routes.

Page 141, route 8860 (Priečne Sedlo). A new ‘via ferrata’ has opened across the saddle, parallel with the existing path, normally accessible 15 June to 31 October. It is 450 metres long and can be used in the direction Malá Studená Dolina to Veľká Studená Dolina. Check with the local tourist office about recommended equipment.

Page 201, Entry fees. These (and car park tickets) can now be purchased online at https://tpn.pl/zwiedzai/e-bilety. Click the Union Jack for an English translation, then scroll down to ‘Entrance ticket’.

Page 217, route 009B (Orla Perć). The section between Zawrat and Świnica is now closed, but Świnica can still be reached from either side.

Page 220, route 011, paragraph 2. E-tickets must be purchased online for the car park at Palenica Białczańska – see page 201 above.

Page 224, route 203. This route is now impassable and not used.

Pages 267/268, route 906, paragraph 2. The black route has been moved where it goes steeply uphill, but the distance remains the same.

Page 282, Mountain transport. Tickets for the cable car to Kasprowy Wierch can now be purchased online at https://www.sklep.pkl.pl/en/product-groups/index,4,tourpassy.html.

Reviews

A handy and detailed guidebook for anyone interested in the area

As we have come to expect from a Cicerone guide, Walking in the High Tatras offers a comprehensive and detailed overview of a wide range of walking in the rugged peaks of Poland and Slovakia. This is a handy and detailed guidebook for anyone interested in the area.

Adventure Travel magazine.

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