National park · Slovakia
High TatrasVysoké Tatry
Spend a day on a popular trail (e.g., Skok waterfall) for €2–4 entry, or a multi‑day trek (e.g., Kriváň) with a guide for €30‑50 per day; avoid July‑August storms.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
730 km² (282 sq mi)282 sq mi (730 km²)
approximate
Established
1949
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Slovakia ↗Slovakia is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Slovakia ↗Motorways and expressways need an electronic vignette bought before you drive on them.
- Slovakia ↗Many high trails in Tatra National Park close seasonally (roughly November to mid-June); check the park's current closures before planning a hike.
At a glance
- Country
- Slovakia
- Area
- 730 km² (282 sq mi)282 sq mi (730 km²)
- The Tatra National Park (TANAP) covers about 730 km²; the High Tatras range within it is roughly 260 km². Figures vary by source.
- Established
- 1949
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Poprad
The High Tatras (Vysoké Tatry) are Slovakia's alpine heart: a compact range of sharp granite peaks, glacial lakes and high-altitude meadows, protected as Tatra National Park (TANAP) and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The park is laced with well-marked trails, cable cars and mountain huts, making it the most accessible high-mountain area in Central Europe. Most visitors base themselves in Poprad, Štrbské Pleso or Tatranská Lomnica and choose between short lake walks, full-day summit hikes (Kriváň, Rysy) or multi-day traverses. Gerlachovský štít, the highest peak in the Carpathians, requires a certified guide. The park is busiest in July–August; June and September offer better weather and fewer crowds.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2004Part of the Tatra National Park UNESCO listing.
Size and age
730 km² (282 sq mi)282 sq mi (730 km²) · national park since 1949
The Tatra National Park (TANAP) covers about 730 km²; the High Tatras range within it is roughly 260 km². Figures vary by source.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Poprad.
Why go
- Alpine hiking on well‑marked trails with dramatic peaks.
- Glacial lakes and high‑altitude meadows.
- Easy rail access to trailheads.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanWinter sports; trails often closed.
- FebWinter sports; same as Jan.
- MarSnow melt, fewer crowds.
- AprSpring wildflowers, good weather.
- MayLong days, trail huts open.
- JunPeak hiking season, stable weather.
- JulThunderstorms, possible trail closures.
- AugSame as July.
- SepLate summer, fewer crowds.
- OctAutumn colours, cooler temps.
- NovEarly snow, limited services.
- DecWinter sports season.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatra chamois, marmots, golden eaglesJun–Oct · Common on higher slopes. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Brown bear (rare sightings)Jun–Sep · Check local advisories. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Poprad
Regional train to Poprad‑Tatry, then Tatra Electric Railway to Štrbské Pleso or Starý Smokovec.
30‑45 min
Open the page →
From Bratislava
IC train to Poprad‑Tatry (≈4 h), then local train as above.
4‑5 h
Open the page →
From Car
Drive D1 to Poprad, then follow signs to Tatranská Lomnica or Štrbské Pleso.
≈3 h from Bratislava
From Kraków (Poland)
Bus to Zakopane, then cross border bus to Starý Smokovec; final leg by local bus to trailheads.
≈5 h total
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Štrbské Pleso | Lake and main trail hub; access to several day hikes. | Open year‑round; train stop. |
| Tatranská Lomnica | Cable‑car base, access to Lomnický štít and Hrebienok. | Open year‑round; train stop. |
| Starý Smokovec | Central valley, gateway to many high‑altitude routes. | Open year‑round; train stop. |
Sketch map
- 1Poprad · Town≈49.053, 20.065Main gateway town.Map ↗
- 2Štrbské Pleso · Viewpoint≈49.153, 20.046Lake and trail hub.Map ↗
- 3Tatranská Lomnica · Town≈49.196, 20.213Cable‑car base.Map ↗
- 4Gerlachovský štít · Viewpoint≈49.167, 20.131Highest Slovak peak (guide only).Map ↗
- 5Lomnický štít · Viewpoint≈49.196, 20.213Cable‑car summit.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the High Tatras National Park.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (summer season) | EUR 2–4 (≈ US$3–5) | person | Ticket sold at trailheads; check exact price. |
| Cable car to Hrebienok | EUR 8–27 (≈ US$10–35) | person | Depends on altitude gain; 2026 estimate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided ascent of Gerlachovský štít permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- €2–4≈ US$3–5
- €8–27≈ US$10–35
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Tatra National Park official site before you go.
Park rules
- Dogs
- Allowed on leashes in most areas; prohibited on alpine trails above 1500 m.check
- Camping
- Only in designated mountain huts or campsites; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use stoves in huts only.
- Guides
- Required for Gerlachovský štít and any off‑trail alpine routes.
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Poprad
Hotels, hostels and apartments; 20 km (12 mi) from main trailheads.Hotels, hostels and apartments; 12 mi (20 km) from main trailheads.
Near the park
Štrbské Pleso
Mountain hotels and guesthouses right at the lake.
Near the park
Tatranská Lomnica
Resort hotels and ski‑area lodges.
Safety
Sudden weather change high
Altitude sickness medium
Lost on remote trails high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Trailheads reachable by public train; short paved sections suitable for wheelchairs at Štrbské Pleso.
- Steep alpine routes not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in certified mountain huts; support local guides.
- Carry out all litter; use refillable water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter High Tatras?
Summer entry tickets cost €2‑4 per person; winter tickets are cheaper. Cable‑car rides add €8‑27 depending on altitude.
What are the best hikes in High Tatras?
Popular day hikes include Skok waterfall (easy), Kriváň (moderate), and the Rysy‑Popradské pleso route (hard). For a multi‑day trek, the Gerlachovský štít guided ascent is iconic.
When is the best time to visit High Tatras?
June to September offers stable weather and full hut services. Early summer (April‑May) is quieter but some paths may still have snow.
Do I need a guide for any trails?
Guides are mandatory for Gerlachovský štít and any off‑trail alpine routes; other marked trails are open to self‑navigation.
Can I bring a dog?
Dogs are allowed on leashes in most lower‑altitude areas but are prohibited above 1500 m and on alpine trails.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about High Tatras
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