Belianske Tatras

The Belianske Tatras are a compact, primarily limestone subrange in the eastern part of the Tatra Mountains in northern Slovakia. They are the smallest Tatra range and are noted for steep cliffs, karst features and caves.

The landscape offers ridge walks and short alpine routes including summit climbs; the highest point, Havran, reaches about 2,151 metres. The range contains the visitor-accessible Belianska Cave and a network of marked trails through the Belianska Valley and surrounding cirques.

Karstification and cave formation have produced the main features visitors see; the area is managed as part of Tatra National Park, which places limits on development and access. The range has long been recognised for its natural value and was incorporated into the park’s protected zones during the 20th century.

Geographically the Belianske Tatras lie in the Prešov Region of northern Slovakia, within the Tatra group, north of the town of Poprad and close to the town of Kežmarok. Trails and access points start from valley settlements and roadheads on the park boundary.

• Geology: Characterised by limestone and karst terrain rather than the granite of the main High Tatras, producing cliffs, caves and crags.
• Access: Part of Tatra National Park, with marked trails and cave tours that require tickets or guided access at the cave entrance.

What to See #

• Belianska Cave: A show cave on the eastern slopes that is open to guided tours and contains calcite formations and stalactites; the accessible sections extend over roughly 1 to 1.8 kilometres.
• Havran Peak: Havran, the highest summit in the range at about 2,151 metres, which is a common objective for hikes and ridge walks.
• Belianska Valley: The Belianska Valley, a steep-sided glacial valley providing the main trail approaches and viewpoints into the limestone cirques.