The view from a hiking trail in High Tatras. (Image: Getty)
Whether you’re on the hunt for accessible skiing or you’re looking for stunning hikes, you might want to explore the High Tatras mountain range in Slovakia.
Perhaps you’ve already heard of Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital. But northeast Slovakia hides an unexplored gem that many Brits have yet to discover.
High Tatras, the smallest high mountain range in the world, was named by the travel guidebook company Lonely Planet as Europe’s best destination to visit in 2019 for their hiking, wildlife, and scenery.
Ryanair and Wizz Air offer flights costing under £20 for a one-way ticket to Poprad, a town just a 15-minute ride from the mountain range.
The area is a strictly protected nature reserve and, along with its Polish counterpart, forms a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve.
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A British visitor said on Tripadvisor:
“A hidden gem. We were here twice with friends and every time it offers something new and breathtaking.
“We skied, we hiked, natural springs to relax in after a hike/skiing are everywhere.
“We are coming back.”
If you’re a first-time visitor, here’s what’s worth exploring:
For a picturesque skiing experience, you can’t miss the Tatranská Lomnica ski resort, with high-altitude slopes, including Slovakia’s steepest one at 2,190 m above sea level.
On clear days, you can take a cable car for a stunning panoramic view from Lomnický Peak.
A cableway in ski resort Tatranská Lomnica. (Image: Getty)
Another must-see is Štrbské Pleso, where the 1970 World Ski Championships led to the construction of two ski jumps alongside a cross-country trail on the frozen lake.
Hotel FIS with its dynamic slanted forms is an intriguing example of late Czechoslovak modernism.
The most experienced skiers can travel further to the Jasná resort. One of the Alpine Skiing World Cup venues, it offers 50 km of slopes and modern lift infrastructure.
Mountain lake Štrbské Pleso with a ski jump. (Image: Getty)
But the region is not just for winter lovers.
Whether you’re up for a family-friendly walk to pristine waterfalls like Vodopád Skok or a full-day hike, there are more than 600 km of hiking trails to explore.
Many lead to chaty – chalets offering food and accommodation for hikers, with some even including a luxurious spa.
Often located in valleys or near glacial lakes, they serve as perfect resting spots for trekkers.
The Téry Hut is the highest mountain hut with the year-round operation. (Image: Getty)
Food delivery into these remote areas is not simple.
While helicopters and cable cars handle supplies in the Alps and other European mountains, Slovakia still relies on traditional Tatra Sherpas.
These porters carry loads of up to 100 kg on their backs, trekking as high as 2,000 metres to deliver essentials to remote mountain huts.
If you try the food, you’re in for a treat. Traditional dishes like potato dumplings with sheep cheese, rich soups, and hearty stews will keep you warm and ready for your next trek.
High Tatras mountain porters carry loads of up to 100 kg on their backs. (Image: Getty)
If you try the food, you’re in for a treat. Traditional dishes like potato dumplings with sheep cheese, rich soups, and hearty stews will keep you warm and ready for your next trek.
While a pint costs around £3, you can also try Kofola, a Communist-era Coca-Cola alternative.
To end the day, relax in a spa, with top choices including the posh Hotel Kempinski at Štrbské Pleso or the historic Grandhotel Starý Smokovec.
For a more budget-friendly option, try AquaCity Poprad.