Most commonly under the term holiday in Slovakia a number of people rapidly imagine Tatras, especially their highest part - High Tatras. Tatras, however, consist of High, Western and Belianske Tatras. All areas provide broad possibilities for holiday and relax in authentic natural enviroment, that can not be found anywhere else.
High Tatras
High Tatras are Slovakias highest mountain range located in the north of it. It is a national park - TANAP and since 1993 also a biosphere reserve. High Tatras of course is not just hills, but also tourism centers with excellent opportunities for skiing, spas, swimming in the water parks, and not least, hiking in authentic nature scenery, that can be found nowhere else.
High Tatras mountains made of granite were strongly modeled by glacier. Thus arose the most famous peaks (Gerlach, Lomnický štít, Kežmarský štít, Kôprovský štít, Kriváň, Rysy) and characteristic glacial valleys (Furkotská, Javorová, Bielovodská, Mengusovská, Veľká and Malá Studená Valleys).
Valleys are suitable for nice hiking with varying difficulty. On the route you will appreciate presence of nice alpine huts. Peaks mean tougher challenges and are accessuvke vua tourist trails, with mountain guide, or you can try to climb them, which makes beautiful experience.
Specialty of Tatras are alpine lakes (Popradské, Hincovo, Zelené, skalnaté, Štrbské pleso and many more). These are beautiful contrast to high peaks rising above them.
Among the tourist resorts that you should definitely visit include Štrbské Pleso, Tatranská Lomnica, Starý Smokovec or Ždiar. They offer wide range of options for accommodation and by assistance of Tatra tram they are good starting poin of all your trips, for example, to famous waterpark AquaCity Poprad.
Main nearby cities include Kežmarok and Poprad, where there are good links to road and highway network in Slovakia.
Western Tatras - Roháče
Need a tip on a cheap holiday in Slovakia, which will be memorable experience? The answer is a holiday in Western Tatras. The second highest mountain range in Slovakia, also known by the term Roháče is a holiday destination suitable for all seasons. Relax associated with skiing, hiking, alpine skiing, cross country skiing and more can be found in Western Tatras.
Western Tatras stretch in the west of High Tatras and are separated from them by Ľaliové mountain pass. The highest point is the peak of Bystrá 2248 m. Other famous peaks include Baníkov, Tri Kopy, Volovec, Baranec, Plačlivé and Ostrý Roháč.
According to the shape of the latter two hills was derived the name Roháče - a name in Slovak meanig horns. The whole mountain range provides unique conditions for almost every imaginable mountain sport. Western Tartas are compared to the High Tatras somewhat unjustly underrated, but if you seek peace in the mountains, you are at the right holiday destination in Slovakia here.
The Western Tatras offer many tourist attractions such as beautiful valleys (Roháčska, Žiarska, Jamnická Valley). The most popular hiking trail is the main ridge. This is a fairly challenging alpine crossing, which is, however, extremely attractive in summer and winter. In winter there is a partial seasonal closure of the main ridge.
There is no any chalet located on the main ridge, so you can be sure that you wont spend a cent in these mountains. It is an ideal combination of low cost, but holiday rich on experience. Western Tatras ridge offers an incredibly beautiful scenery.
Western Tatras offer besides hiking as well skiing opportunities. The main centers include villages Podbanské, Zuberec, Pribylina. Among local mountain huts are the best known Zverovka and Žiarska Chata. Žiarska Chata has a dining room with a nice food offer that during your vacation will delight every stomach. You can sleep in the room or on the ground in own sleeping bag.
Belianske Tatras
Belianske Tatras are situated to the east of High Tatras, namely from Kopské sedlo mountain pass. During your holiday in Slovakia you will be able to admire these mountains mostly from a far, as it is only partially accessible to the public to protect its unique nanture. It was closed in 1978 due to protection of fauna and flora.
Hiking trails in Belianske Tatras are limited. The highest peak is 2151 m high Havran. Well-known peaks include the Ždiarska Vidla.
From the valleys may be mentioned Dolina Sielmych Prameňov and Meďodoly. Belianska Cave, accessible to the public, is a proof of wealth of local karst area.
Tourists can rest in chata Plesnivec chalet, which has unforgettable atmosphere and is located outside of the busiest parts of the Tatras. If you desire quiet locality during your vacation, visit this mountain chalet, and later you can continue your trip to Zelené pleso mountain lake, where is located Chata pri Zelenom plese chalet as well.
Nearby rises an attractive tourist peak called Jahňací štít or Veľká Svišťovka pass of which during the nice weather is beautiful view at all the peaks surrounding the mountain lake - Jastrabia veža, Čierny štít, Baranie rohy and the most impressive and highest rock face of Tatras - north face of Malý Kežmarský štít. Through Veľká Svišťovka pass a hike via marked path is possible to Skalnaté pleso with an observatory and cabin cable way to the summit of Lomnický Štít.