Lakes and dams Tatranské Zruby

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.

Skalnaté pleso is one of the most popular tourist spots in the Vysoké Tatry mountains. You can get here from Tatranská Lomnica on foot along a marked hiking trail or by cable car. It makes a beautiful trip for families with children as well.

Skalnaté pleso is located at an altitude of 1,755 m above sea level, and an educational trail leads around it, keeping even the youngest visitors entertained. At the top of the cable car station, there is a restaurant with a sun terrace, and right next to it is a children's playground - Svištia krajinka, where kids can play to their heart's content. You will find wooden marmot sculptures, climbing frames, a marmot cabin, and many other attractions here.

The tarn is of morainic origin, formed naturally after the Ice Age. No fish live in it, and its water level fluctuates. Interestingly, during dry periods, the lake dries up, which has been influenced not only by climate change but also by the construction of the cable car station.

From Skalnaté pleso, you can take a cable car to Lomnický štít, which towers to an altitude of 2,634 m above sea level directly above the tarn, creating breathtaking views. Near the tarn, at an altitude of 1,781 m above sea level, you will also discover the Astronomické observatórium, which includes an observatory.

Skalnaté pleso is magnificent in both winter and summer. During a winter skiing trip, you can relax here before hitting the slopes, on what is, by the way, the steepest ski slope in Slovakia. However, don't forget to check the weather forecast; the Vysoké Tatry can be unpredictable. Set out on a trip here and you certainly won't regret it. Book your accommodation near Skalnaté pleso directly with us.

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.

Belasé pleso is located in the northeastern part of the Vysoké Tatry, more precisely in Dolina Zeleného Plesa, which is part of Červená dolina. The waters of the tarn fill a glacial cirque and its lower part is dammed by a moraine 6 m high. The tarn has no surface inlet or outlet. It belongs among the smaller Tatra tarns, with an area of only 0.07 ha, a length of 40 m. Therefore, in the summer months, it often dries up completely, reaching its maximum depth of 3.8 m only during cold and humid months.

The name of Belasé pleso originated from the apparent color of the water, created by reflections on the water surface. It lies at an altitude of 1,862 m a. s. l., and towering above it to the north are Kozí štít and Jahňací štít, to the west Kolové sedlo, and to the south Jastrabia veža. To the southeast, there are no peaks but open landscape, of which Červené pleso is a part.

No tourist trail leads directly to Belasé pleso, but south of it runs a yellow trail that starts at Chata pri Zelenom plese and ends at Jahňací štít. This hike sets out from Tatranské Matliare, towards Šalviový prameň, through the Kovaľčíková poľana crossroads, then to Zelené pleso, and subsequently to the peak. For the return trip, it is necessary to go back the same way. This route is classified as more demanding and takes a full day.

To explore this area, you will need accommodation near Belasé pleso, so you have a place to rest after the hike. The easiest option will be to stay in Tatranské Matliare, where you will find comfortable apartments. A more varied offer is in Tatranská Lomnica, where various types of accommodation are available, and you can choose exactly the one that suits you. Tatranská Lomnica will, of course, also provide all necessary services, and besides that, there are several tourist attractions right there, including the Múzeum Tatranského národného parku museum, a bobsleigh track, or the Aqua Relax Titris water world.

Zelené pleso is one of the most romantic tarns in the Vysoké Tatry mountains. This glacial lake, lying at an altitude of 1551 m a.s.l., was named thanks to the springs that well up at its bottom and cause green spots. However, a more interesting variation is the ancient legend according to which a dazzling green gemstone fell into it from Jastrabej veže tower.

If you were looking on a map, point your finger to the eastern part of the Vysoké Tatry, to the Doliny Bielej vody kežmarskej valley, or the Doliny Zeleného plesa valley. Thanks to a maximum depth of 4.5 m, you can see all the way to the bottom of this moraine tarn from near the shore. With an area of 1.78 ha, it does not belong among the largest tarns, but it is definitely one of the most beautiful.

This turquoise-colored tarn is a popular destination not only for experienced hikers, skiers, and cyclists but also for families with older children or active seniors. Even so, good physical fitness is recommended, as the hike with an elevation gain of 855 meters along the yellow tourist trail is only moderately difficult, yet relatively lengthy. However, if that is not enough for you, the natural continuation of the route is the ascent to Jahňací štít peak or continuing to Skalnaté pleso.

The dominant feature of the view is the well-known "Brnčalka", as the Chata pri Zelenom plese mountain hut is called, which, thanks to its ochre facade, cannot be confused with any other. The history of the first shelter on the site of the current hut dates back to the end of the 1890s. It is open year-round, and if you are planning a challenging hike to the surrounding peaks, it is a suitable place for an overnight stay. Otherwise, do you know about its unusual phenomenon, which is more known from Nordic countries? In the period from October to March, not a single ray of sun touches it. Despite this, it is very popular even during this period.

The starting points for the hike to Zelenému plesu are Tatranské Matliare, the Biela Voda bus stop, or Tatranská Lomnica. For a perfect hiking experience, good planning is necessary, especially if you are traveling with children. So that you are not under time pressure to return home before dark, we recommend booking accommodation nearby in advance. You can find the best offers for accommodation near Zeleného plesa, as well as accommodation Tatranské Matliare or accommodation Tatranská Lomnica, directly on our website.

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.

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.