High Tatras Mountains
Mountain range along Slovakia–Poland border with alpine peaks
Alpine range on the Slovakia-Poland border with glacial peaks, alpine lakes and mountain huts. Hikers and skiers use marked trails, via ferrata routes and winter resorts.
High Tatras at a Glance#
Address: High Tatras (Vysoké Tatry), Prešov Region, Slovakia
About High Tatras#
The High Tatras are an alpine mountain range on the border between northern Slovakia and southern Poland, forming the highest part of the Tatra Mountains and the Tatra section of the Carpathians. The range contains several peaks above 2,600 metres and is a major centre for mountain recreation in Central Europe.
The area is prized for its sharp peaks, glacial cirques, and mountain lakes, including well-known sites such as Štrbské Pleso and numerous marked trails and mountain huts. The High Tatras support year-round activities from summer hiking to winter skiing and mountaineering.
The highest summit is Gerlachovský štít at 2,655 metres, with other important peaks including Lomnický štít at 2,634 metres. The mountains are protected by national parks on both the Slovak and Polish sides and contain established mountain rescue and visitor facilities.
The range lies along the Slovakia-Poland border in northern Slovakia’s Prešov Region and nearby Polish Lesser Poland, with Poprad and other towns serving as common bases for access.
- National parks: Two national parks protect the area: Tatra National Park in Slovakia (TANAP) and Tatra National Park in Poland (TPN), each with established trail networks and mountain infrastructure.
What to See#
- Gerlachovský štít (2,655 m): Gerlachovský štít is the range’s highest summit at 2,655 metres and is the tallest peak in the Carpathian Mountains when measured in elevation.
- Lomnický štít (2,634 m): Lomnický štít reaches 2,634 metres and is a prominent peak with a long-standing cable car service from the Tatranská Lomnica valley on the Slovak side.
- Štrbské Pleso: Štrbské Pleso is a high-mountain lake and resort village that serves as one of the main access points and tourist centres in the High Tatras.
How to Get to High Tatras#
From Bratislava or Poprad, take Slovakia’s regular trains to Poprad-Tatry station. From Poprad, regional buses and the Tatra Electric Railway (TEŽ) connect to villages such as Štrbské Pleso and Tatranská Lomnica. For car access, the E50/Mlynica and local roads lead into valley trailheads.
Tips for Visiting High Tatras#
- Use the Tatranská Lomnica or Štrbské Pleso cable cars to access high alpine terrain quickly.
- Pack layers: mountain weather changes fast; even summer nights can be cool above 2,000 m.
- Reserve mountain huts (chata) in advance during July-August weekends; they fill with Slovak and Polish hikers.
Best Time to Visit High Tatras#
The High Tatras are best in summer for hiking and in winter for snow sports; shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds but unpredictable weather.
Weather & Climate near High Tatras#
High Tatras's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 19°C. Moderate rainfall (953 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -8° - -1° | -10° | 41 mm | overcast | 96% | 4.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
| February | Poor | -8° - 0° | -9° | 38 mm | overcast | 95% | 3.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.9h |
| March | Poor | -5° - 4° | -5° | 50 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.0 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | -1° - 9° | 1° | 77 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 3.8 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.6h |
| May | Acceptable | 4° - 15° | 8° | 106 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 15.2h |
| June | Acceptable | 7° - 18° | 12° | 139 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.0h |
| July | Good | 8° - 19° | 14° | 133 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 15.6h |
| August | Good | 8° - 19° | 14° | 113 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 14.2h |
| September | Acceptable | 5° - 15° | 8° | 87 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 1° - 10° | 3° | 63 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 3.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.6h |
| November | Poor | -4° - 4° | -4° | 58 mm | overcast | 93% | 3.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.9h |
| December | Poor | -7° - 0° | -9° | 48 mm | overcast | 95% | 4.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.0h |
