Lakes and dams Šuňava

There is probably no tourist in Slovakia who does not know the beautiful lake Štrbské pleso. However, not everyone knows that approximately half a kilometer southeast of it, below the mouth of the Mlynická dolina valley, lies the lake Nové Štrbské pleso. Cadastrally, it falls under the village of Štrba, in the Poprad district. It covers an area of 2 hectares at an altitude of 1,315 m above sea level, with its maximum depth reaching 9.6 m.

However, it is not a natural tarn. It was artificially created in 1905 from the former Štrbské mozgroviska, a silty tarn. The architect Karol Móry is considered its creator. The lake is densely overgrown with peat, which forms small islands on it. These need to be cleaned regularly. However, it is also home to many species of fish that thrive here. When you add all the surrounding trees and amazing views of the majestic Tatra peaks, a perfect spot is born.

The hike to Nové Štrbské pleso can be considered a gentle walk. If you arrive at the Štrbské Pleso railway station, after crossing the tracks of the rack railway, a path will lead you to the tarn. Before you know it, after approximately 5 minutes of walking, you are at the water. If you arrive by car, from the park-and-ride lot at Štrbské pleso, walk under the railway bridge directly to the tarn. From this side, it will take you 10 minutes on foot. It is so close, yet so few people know about it. Bench seating has been built around it for a pleasant rest; looking at the water surface can calm even the most troubled thoughts.

The surroundings probably do not need a special introduction, but there is always someone who has not yet discovered the beauty of the Vysoké Tatry. Book accommodation near Nové Štrbské pleso, for example on the page accommodation Štrbské Pleso, and come explore! Take a hiking trail to Popradské pleso, to the Skok waterfall, or to Kriváň. Take the cable car to Predné Solisko or the tram to Starý Smokovec, and from there to Hrebienok, to Tricklandia, or to Tatranský ľadový dóm Hrebienok. And that is just a small sample. Bring your family, children, and friends along, and experience for yourself what this beautiful piece of Slovakia has to offer.

The Štrbské pleso lake, hidden in the Vysoké Tatry mountains, is among the most famous Slovak tarns. It was named after the village of Štrba, as it lies within its cadastral territory. Thanks to its good accessibility and well-developed infrastructure, it is attractive to families with children, hikers, cyclists, and active seniors.

The second largest tarn in Slovakia lies at an altitude of 1,346.6 m above sea level, covering an area of almost 20 hectares and reaching an impressive depth of up to 26 meters. Due to its unique nature and fresh mountain air, the tarn has become a popular place for relaxation. Recreational boating on the tarn began as early as the 19th century, and you can try this attraction for yourself to this day.

Riding the cog railway from Štrbské Pleso to the village of Tatranská Štrba is undoubtedly an experience as well. The lake itself is the starting point for many hiking trails, while a short walk will lead you to Symbolický cintorín or Popradské pleso. Families with children and seniors alike will enjoy a walk along Náučný chodník Štrbské Pleso, which offers interesting information about the history of the village as well as the surrounding flora and fauna. Visitors of all ages will have a great time in the nearby Fun Park Štrbské pleso. Try snowtubing, snowrafting, snowball, or authentic Tatras curling. In the summer, Veveričí lanový park will test your skills.

More seasoned hikers will enjoy a hike to Veľké Hincovo pleso or Batizovské pleso. Those who wish to conquer surrounding peaks can set off on a full-day hike to the symbol of Slovakia – Kriváň, or an 8-hour hike to the popular Rysy. Cyclists will also find plenty to love. A 19 km long cycle route is established from the village of Štrbské Pleso, leading alongside the Štrbské pleso lake all the way to the Popradské pleso tram stop.

An interesting fact is that local residents wanted to drain the tarn in 1860 to gain valuable pastures; fortunately, these plans were never realized. It was right on Štrbské pleso, which is covered in ice for 155 days of the year, that the European Hockey Championship took place in 1925.

Štrbské pleso offers a truly diverse range of experiences and attractions, whether through hiking, relaxing in nature, nearby skiing opportunities, or exploring surrounding villages and their history. Therefore, it is best to spend at least a few days in this mountain location. On our portal, we offer a wide selection of accommodation near the Štrbské pleso lake, as well as in the Vysoké Tatry area itself.

The Vodná nádrž Čierny Váh reservoir was built in the second half of the 20th century on the middle course of the Čierny Váh river. It was constructed for the purpose of pumping water for a power plant. The Čierny Váh power plant itself is not only our highest-located, but also our largest and most powerful hydroelectric power plant. The waterworks consists of an upper reservoir (circular) and a lower reservoir (elongated).

Let us imagine the first of them, the upper water reservoir, which is located in the territory of the Národný park Nízke Tatry. It is built on the Vysoké Sokoly karst plateau, near the village of Kráľova Lehota. Its construction took place in the years 1976–1979. The reservoir is situated at the top of a hill and has a water volume of 3.7 million cubic meters. Water is pumped into it from the lower reservoir, overcoming an elevation gain of more than 400 meters in the process.

The upper reservoir of Čierny Váh is considered one of the most beautiful places in the area, offering you a virtually fairytale view of the entire Horný Liptov region and the panorama of the Tatry mountains. You can reach it via one of the marked cycling routes or hiking trails. The most commonly used routes lead from Východná, through Svarín and Kráľova Lehota. Although an asphalt road leads to it, it is private with a strict prohibition of entry for motor vehicles.

For the public, entry to the upper reservoir site is prohibited. However, (for now) it is mostly tolerated by the power plant. When you set off toward it, a sign immediately catches your eye: "Water level fluctuations. Swimming in the reservoir is prohibited." Those who nevertheless make the trip all the way to the top will walk 1,660 meters during a circuit around the reservoir. The view of the water surface is truly calming. To some, the water on the black asphalt coating resembles pitch. The difference between the minimum and maximum water levels of the reservoir is 26 meters.

An interesting fact is that in order for water to be pumped from the lower to the upper reservoir, more energy is consumed than generated. Bizarre? Perhaps. But no one has come up with a better idea so far.

Approximately 1 kilometer from the water reservoir is the Lesnícky cintorín Čierny Váh forest cemetery. It includes the Kaplnka sv. Trojice chapel and a wooden bell tower. It is a publicly accessible attraction that was established in the territory of Kráľova Lehota in the first half of the 18th century.

If you want to take a trip and see live one of the most beautiful views that Slovakia has to offer, you should definitely visit Čierny Váh. You can book accommodation in the immediate vicinity of the Vodná nádrž Čierny Váh reservoir on the accommodation Kráľova Lehota pages. And once you are in Liptov, it would be a shame not to check out other attractions that this extremely popular region offers as well. Will it be a visit to one of the water parks, ski resorts, open-air museums, or one of the caves? It is entirely up to you, but whichever option you choose, you will certainly not regret it.

In Mengusovská dolina, you will find the fourth largest lake in Slovakia – Popradské pleso. Popradské pleso covers an area of almost 7 hectares, is situated at an altitude of 1,494 m above sea level, and reaches a depth of 17 meters. It is just as sought after as the other tarns in Vysoké Tatry.

The tarn was formed in the last ice age after the retreat of glaciers by water flowing in from surrounding peaks and valleys. The path to it is suitable for any determined person, as this route can be managed even by wheelchair users – access is also provided via a paved asphalt road. Find nearby accommodation for families with children, large groups of friends, cyclists, vital seniors, or couples in love, and enjoy Popradské pleso.

In the 18th century, Popradské pleso was also referred to as Rybie pleso. Why? As the only one located on the southern side of the Tatry, it provided a home to the brown trout. In 1879, the first tourist mountain hut was built here, Chata pri Popradskom plese, also known as Chata kpt. Morávku. An interesting feature of Popradské pleso is also Symbolický cintorín (the Symbolic Cemetery for the Victims of the High Tatras), located in a Swiss pine grove under Ostrva. Here, they also honored 13 victims of a 1974 avalanche.

In addition to the blue hiking trail, you can also choose other difficulty levels for your hike to Popradské pleso. It depends entirely on you whether you select the station Popradské Pleso, Štrbské Pleso, or Sliezsky dom as your starting point.

If you plan to stay in the Tatry longer, we definitely recommend choosing from our selection of accommodations, which includes hotels near Popradské pleso, or private cottages near Popradské pleso. Or would you rather opt for charming guesthouses in Popradské pleso? The decision is yours. Our offer is truly diverse; all you need to do is book.

Velické pleso is a sparkling gem and at the same time the largest tarn in Velická dolina valley in the Vysoké Tatry mountains. The lake, covering an area of 2.241 ha with a depth of 4.5 m, is situated at an altitude of 1,663 m a.s.l., near the mountain hotel Sliezsky dom. Velické pleso was formed after the retreat of a glacier, leaving a smaller moraine above it. The lake was also visited by Pope John Paul II, who prayed on July 3, 1995, in a gazebo built specially on its shore.

It is possible to set off on a hike to Velické pleso from several starting points: Tatranská Polianka, Starý Smokovec, Popradské pleso, or Tatranské Zruby. Although the route to the lake is classified as moderately demanding, the reward is gorgeous nature. For those who do not like walking but prefer pedaling a bicycle, it is good news that Velické pleso is the highest point accessible by bike in the Tatras.

From Sliezsky dom, a green hiking trail leads past the tarn to Poľský hrebeň. From June to October, a popular tourist destination is also the 15 m high Velický vodopád waterfall. Situated in the valley above the tarn are also Kvetnicové pliesko, Vyšné Velické plieska, and Dlhé pleso. At the same time, Velická dolina is the usual starting point for the ascent of Gerlachovský štít, which is permitted only with a mountain guide.

If you are planning to explore Velická dolina, look for accommodation around one of the starting points. A pleasant stay will be provided by cottages in Tatranská Polianka or apartments in Tatranské Zruby. Vysoké Tatry also offer a diverse selection of hotels and guesthouses. Just choose according to whether you are a family with young children or seniors, or whether you prefer comfort or lower accommodation prices.

You will find Päť Spišských plies in the Vysoké Tatry mountains near the well-known Téryho chata mountain hut. The starting point is usually Starý Smokovec, but a hiking trail also leads to them from Tatranská Javorina. These five charming mountain lakes have earned the admiration of many a hiker. The high-altitude hike is suitable mainly for experienced hikers with good physical fitness. Many combine it with a crossing from Malá Studená dolina to Veľká Studená dolina. Whichever path you choose, you will not regret it.

Päť Spišských plies is actually a group of five lakes of glacial origin. Are you wondering why they are named "Spišské" when they are actually in the Tatras? They received their name in the past, derived from the Spiš County (župa) to which the lakes belonged. You can see them in this order: Malé Spišské pleso, Prostredné Spišské pleso, Veľké Spišské pleso, Vyšné Spišské pleso, and Nižné Spišské pleso. They are located at an altitude of approximately 2,000 m above sea level.

Start your hike to Spišské plesá in Starý Smokovec. If you want to save yourself some kilometers and leg strength, take the funicular up to Hrebienok. From there, follow the hiking trail to Zamkovského chata and then head up a very steep hill to Téryho chata. It is the highest-altitude mountain hut open year-round in Slovakia. Here, you can rest and refresh yourself. After all, enjoying steamed buns, homemade goulash, and a beer at an altitude of 2,015 m above sea level is not something you get to do every day. The route from Starý Smokovec is approximately 6 kilometers long, but the elevation gain is over 700 vertical meters. From Téryho chata, it is just a short walk to Spišské plesá.

If you are lucky, along the way you will see herds of chamois or hear marmots whistling. At Päť Spišských plies, you can decide whether to return back via Malá Studená dolina or continue through Priečne sedlo into Veľká Studená dolina and past Zbojnícka chata back to Starý Smokovec. If you long to see the Belianske Tatry mountains, plan your trip to Päť Spišských plies through Javorová dolina from Tatranská Javorina. This route is more demanding and longer, so you really need to set aside an entire day for it, as this valley is 11 kilometers long. However, you can also look forward to other mountain lakes here: Žabie Javorové pleso and Modré pleso.

If you love hiking, you should definitely set out for Spišské plesá. It is a popular trip after which you will fall asleep tired, yet filled with energy from the beautiful nature. Stay in the Vysoké Tatry mountains for a vacation and enjoy other Tatra hikes as well. We offer you accommodation in Vysoké Tatry, accommodation in Starý Smokovec, or accommodation in Tatranská Javorina on our portal. Among other things, you will find additional tips for trips in the Tatras here. Do not hesitate and book your cottage, guesthouse, or apartment in the Vysoké Tatry mountains today.