THE HIGH TATRAS SLOVAKIA AND POLAND

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.

This comprehensive guidebook contains all the information you need to plan a successful trip to the Tatras. Covering the Western, High and White Tatras, and both sides of the Polish-Slovakian border, it presents a selection of graded route suggestions (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 Kriván, 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.

Activities
walking
Seasons
July-end August warmest (with thunderstorms); Sept-mid October best walking weather; March-early June not recommended
Centres
Slovakia - Poprad, Stary Smokovec, Tatranska Lomnica, Strbske Pleso; Poland- Zakopane
Difficulty
high mountain walking (up to 2654m); well-engineered, waymarked paths; some scrambling, exposure, use of fixed wires but very wide choice of routes
Must See
flowers and wildlife; staying in a refuge/chalet; historic mountain villages; alpine scenery (the ranges are national parks)

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!