Hiking and biking trails Kežmarské Žľaby

If you are not afraid of a more demanding hike and like to learn something along the way, we will direct you to Ždiar and from there to Monkova dolina, where you can walk an interesting educational trail.

The 5 km long Monkova dolina is situated in the northern part of Belianske Tatry. At the head of this glacier-origin valley rise the peaks Hlúpy and Ždiarska vidla. The valley was named after the once widespread Ždiar surname Monka, although it is not known what relationship the Monka family had to it, whether they were the owners or leased it.

An educational trail leads through Monkova dolina, which is very beautiful, but at the same time demanding. On the more than 8 km long route with 6 stops, you need to expect a steep climb and a large elevation gain (945 m). The trail will guide you from Ždiar across the confluence of the Biela stream and Rígeľský potok, then through Monkova dolina, via Široké sedlo all the way to Kopské sedlo. Along the way, views await you not only of Belianske Tatry, but from Široké sedlo also of Vysoké Tatry. In addition to views of blooming meadows, you might also get the chance to spot chamois. The trail is accessible only from mid-June to the end of October. At the beginning of the route at the mouth of Monkova dolina, an entrance fee must be paid. Completing the trail takes about 4 to 5 hours.

Monkova dolina is not the only place you can head to from Ždiar. Plan a trip to Belasé pleso, or visit Bachledova dolina with Chodník korunami stromov. If you are interested in folk architecture, visit Ľudové múzeum - Ždiarsky dom; for children, Family Park Strachankovo or Svetelný dóm will be a great experience. In Belianske Tatry, discover Belianska jaskyňa as well. And you can enjoy winter on the slopes of resorts directly in Ždiar – Strednica, Krasuľa, Strachan, or Monkova dolina.

For all of this, you will need pleasant accommodation, and there is certainly no shortage of it here. The most common type of accommodation in Ždiar are chalets and traditional wooden houses, which will provide you with complete privacy and very good amenities, making you feel right at home. Practically equipped and well-located are apartments, which can often be found, for example, near ski slopes. Guesthouses also offer very good services, often featuring their own restaurant or even a wellness area. Monkova dolina is already looking forward to you conquering it. Rent comfortable accommodation in Ždiar and set off on an educational hike.

In the heart of the Pieninský národný park national park, a 1,234 m long walk along an unconventional trail awaits you. You can look at the forests of Spišská Magura almost from a bird's-eye perspective in the village of Ždiar in Bachledova dolina. From above the treetops, you will see the local forests with a new perspective. At a height of 24 meters above the ground, you can touch the treetops.

Long, wooden, magical, unconventional, frequently mentioned, and widely visited. Chodník korunami stromov in Bachledka. A new, and by Slovak standards unique attraction, has enchanted visitors of both the Vysoké Tatry and Pieniny. It has won the hearts of active and passive tourists alike, becoming a topic of conversation for everyone planning to visit our high mountains. Let's take a closer look at this phenomenon.

At a height of 24 m above the ground, you can almost touch the treetops. Or ascend to the highest point of the observation tower and enjoy the view of Zamagurie, Pieniny, and the Belianske Tatry. A 360-degree panoramic view awaits you right on the border between the Pieninský národný park and the Tatranský národný park. You will learn interesting facts about the life of local flora and fauna, the power of weather, and nature conservation from the educational panels placed along the trail. If self-study is not for you, arrange your visit to the trail in a larger group. Qualified guides from the Pieninský národný park are available for groups. If you don't feel up to the approximately 45-minute climb, let a cable car take you up to the trail. On the way down, you can take a truly unconventional ride on a 67-meter-long dry slide.

Other attractions in Bachledova dolina

Bachledova dolina is a great place for the whole family in any season. In the warmer months, hikes of various difficulty levels will likely appeal to you. You can tackle them on foot or by mountain bike. More than 130 km of mountain biking trails are prepared to be conquered. They are suitable for beginners, casual cyclists, as well as experienced cross-country and all-mountain riders.

Children will get to know the surrounding nature in a playful way thanks to the children's educational trail. Both a small and a large loop are available. In addition to information about the inhabitants of the surrounding forest, the youngest tourists will also be engaged by movement tasks and forest games at individual stops. Little detectives can set off on a search for Gorgy's elixir of life. This forest man obtains ingredients directly from nature, and you will uncover them thanks to clues scattered along the adventurous path.

Adrenaline fans will not pass up a ride on the longest toboggan run in the Tatras. Its length of 1,200 m, an elevation drop of 111 meters, a maximum speed of 40 km per hour, and 15 turns guarantee an adrenaline-filled and fun ride. An unconventional way down the slope also awaits you with a disc golf set. The 9-hole course offers an opportunity for active fun for the entire family.

In the Bachledka resort, you will also find space for other physical activities. Run after a ball on the highest-located football pitch in Slovakia. Jump on two professional trampolines designed not only for children. The youngest ones will go wild on swings, climbing frames, a castle, and slides at the playground. They can feed and pet animals in the children's Mini ZOO.

Winter in Bachledova dolina

In winter, Bachledka becomes a paradise for skiers of all age groups. In addition to high-quality, artificially snowed, and groomed slopes, several special treats await you. How about a ride on freestyle slopes in deep powder? Or would you prefer pristine corduroy in the early morning hours instead? Or will you succumb to the magic of the night during night skiing? Beginners will master the basics of skiing thanks to experienced instructors and the safe environment of the children's ski area. For small skiers who no longer need an instructor, a safe children's area with plenty of gates, obstacles, and children's figures is designated. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts won't miss out either. A total of 20 km of cross-country trails awaits them here.

Accommodation near Chodník korunami stromov

Bachledova dolina is popular among both domestic and foreign visitors. Here you will find accommodation suitable for all age, interest, and price categories. Do you fancy the authentic atmosphere of a wooden cottage, cabin, or log cabin? Would you prefer comfortable accommodation in a hotel or guesthouse? Or does the family atmosphere of sub-mountain apartments or private rooms suit you best? It is entirely up to you which type of accommodation you choose. A truly varied offer is at your disposal.

Do you love the Vysoké Tatry mountains and enjoy spending your free time walking in the fresh air? Then put on your walking shoes and set off with us on the Náučný chodník Štrbské pleso educational trail. Bring your little ones along and discover together the history, fauna, and flora of this moraine lake. Did you know that the region in which Štrbské pleso lies was once called Štrbský chotár?

This highest-situated Tatras settlement (1,346 m a.s.l.) is located in the Národný park Vysoké Tatry (High Tatras National Park) and is a local part of the village of Štrba. 5 km long educational trail with 40 wooden information panels is open to tourists throughout the whole year. Even your youngest in a stroller or mobility-impaired persons in a wheelchair can handle the excursion along the paved stony path. Prepare for a 2.5-hour walk during which you will learn something about historical sights, spa history, as well as sports events at Štrbské Pleso.

Our hike begins in front of the railway station, which is the final stop of the Tatras electric railway and cog railway. Going up the stairs past Hotel Toliar, we find ourselves at Hotel Kempinski. We turn left and follow the asphalt road to a viewpoint from which we can already see our most visited Tatras lake from a distance. Water does not flow out of it anywhere, nor does any flow into it. It fills through underground springs from a depth of more than 12 meters. Thanks to its location, the surface of the lake is frozen for an average of 155 days a year. Other points of interest certainly include the ski jumping hill that has stood here since 1966. However, this massive structure has not been used for active sports for many years. In 1925, the European Ice Hockey Championships were held on the frozen surface of the lake.

The dark blue crystal-clear water in the lake is home to many small aquatic animals and fish. The most numerous fish species found here include chub, northern pike, European perch, and roach. A notable feature is the presence of the vendace fish (Coregonus maraena / sih maréna). This is most likely the last place in the world where this fish still occurs. Fishermen from the Třeboňsko region (Czech Republic) brought the vendace here in 1929. Their current number can be counted on the fingers of two hands. Despite the efforts of locals for artificial breeding, this fish is doomed to extinction.

Our trip continues to another viewpoint, offering an unprecedented view of the Podtatranská kotlina basin and the Nízke Tatry mountains. We proceed along a slightly steep slope from which we can see Cesta slobody. From Hotel Solisko, we continue around the lake, and after a few meters, we turn onto a narrow peninsula where we find the monument to the Slovenské národné povstanie (Slovak National Uprising). Right before it, we can stop at the memorial dedicated to our poet Maša Haľamová. On the northeastern shore, we turn onto the path that leads to Hotel Patria. If we turn left, we reach Hotel Fis, from where we can see all the way to Vodopád Skok waterfall, located in Mlynická dolina. At the main intersection, we turn left onto a small path leading to Nové Štrbské pleso (1,315 m a.s.l.). We will return to our destination, Štrbské pleso, along the path leading along the northern shore of the lake. If you have worked up an appetite after this easy hike, visit one of the hotel restaurants and treat yourself to a great gastronomic experience.

Plan your active holiday in Vysoké Tatry. But do not spend unnecessarily big money on expensive hotels. Comfortable yet affordable accommodation near Náučný chodník Štrbské Pleso can be found on our page cheap accommodation Štrbské Pleso. Whether you choose stylish apartments or cottages in the magical forest environment is entirely up to you. Spend the money saved to visit other attractions, of which there are plenty in the Tatras. Enjoy your stay in the fresh air and head to Botanická záhrada (Botanical Garden), where you have a great opportunity to discover up to 300 species of Tatras plants and trees. If you feel like something special, you will experience a proper dose of adrenaline on the Tatrabob bobsleigh track. We wish you a successful holiday full of unforgettable experiences.