Читать книгу The High Tatras - Renáta Nározná - Страница 10
ОглавлениеSECTION 3
THE SLOVAK HIGH AND WHITE TATRAS
Later history
Excavations of Žltá Stena (Yellow Wall) near Tatranská Polianka have revealed the existence of a major fortified habitation that was destroyed by fire. It occupies a strategic site commanding extensive views over the Podtatranská Kotlina, the huge basin between the High and Low Tatras. The fort appears to date from the Bronze Age, at about the beginning of the first millennium BC, when the area was populated by Celtic people.
The area was invaded and settled during the 9th and 8th centuries BC by successive waves of Slavonic people who are thought to have originated in what is now eastern Poland and Belarus. One of these waves consisted of the Slovaks and the closely related Slovenes – in Slovak the words for these are respectively Slovensko and Slovinsko – who settled the area between the Tatras and the Adriatic Sea.
Approaching the summit of Kriváň (Blue 2903) (photo: R Turnbull)
During the 9th century AD this area was part of the Greater Moravian Empire, which extended from what is now the Czech Republic to Rumania, Moravia being the eastern part of the Czech Republic around Brno. Excavations at Slavkov, on the southeastern slopes of the High Tatras between Poprad and Starý Smokovec, have revealed the existence during this period of a human settlement, which could have been a resting place of some importance on the overland trade route linking the Baltic and Mediterranean seas. At this time the mountains were generally feared, visited only by an occasional brave hunter.
At the end of the 9th century the Greater Moravian Empire was destroyed by the Magyars and associated tribes, who are thought to have originated in that part of Asia immediately to the east of the Urals. They established a new homeland in what is now Hungary, driving a wedge between the Slovaks and the Slovenes. Slovakia was devastated, and became part of the Hungarian domain, with Hungarian nobility owning the land that continued to be worked by Slav peasants.
During the early Middle Ages, tribes living around the Tatras had a variety of origins, including Slavic and Germanic. Over several centuries they merged into a distinctive culture, which became known as the Góral, meaning ‘highlanders’. The culture persists today in the valleys around Ždiar in Slovakia and Zakopane in Poland, where the traditional costumes, cuisine, folklore and music can still be found.
A typical Góral farm building in Monkova near Ždiar (Green 5811) (photo: R Turnbull)
The 13th century brought further invasion and terror, this time by the Tatars from Central Asia. They totally destroyed the Sub-Tatras Basin and surrounding areas in spring, with the result that the entire population either died of hunger through lack of crops, or sought refuge elsewhere. Travellers reported that they had walked through the area for days without seeing any sign of human life. To restore civilisation, King Bela IV of Hungary invited people from German-speaking lands, especially Saxony, to settle in the more low-lying areas. This included the plain to the south of the Tatras, known as Szepes in Hungarian. The new German inhabitants called it Zips, and to modern Slovaks it is Spiš.
On the walls of the nave of the Roman Catholic parish church in Poprad can be found a painting dating from the late 14th or early 15th century. It depicts the Tatras as the background of a Bible scene. Another pictorial record, dated 1475, shows Lomnický Štít, the second highest Tatra peak. It forms part of the coat of arms of the Berzevicky family from the village of Veľká Lomnica. The oldest plan of the Tatras forms part of a map of Hungary, dated 1556 and drawn by the Viennese historian Wolfgang Lazius.
During the 15th and 16th centuries there was continuous strife, caused by religious enmity (especially between the Hussites, followers of the Bohemian Jan Hus, and the Roman Catholic church), by various claimants to the Hungarian crown, and by pressure from refugees from the wars with the Ottoman Turks, especially from Wallachia (Southern Rumania). This forced many Slovaks to take refuge in the mountain valleys, eking out their existence by resorting to poaching and robbery.
These disturbances were subsiding by the 17th century, and at the same time people all over Europe began to take an interest in nature study, and in exploring mountainous areas. In 1615 the first recorded climb of a Tatra peak was undertaken, by a student called David Frölich from Kežmarok. It is not certain which peak was climbed, but it was probably Kežmarsky Štít, which is visible from Kežmarok.
By the early 18th century the Ottoman Turks had been expelled from central Europe, which became more settled under the domination of the Habsburg dynasty. Permanent settlements appeared in the foothills of the Tatras, and local people thoroughly explored the valleys and peaks, and established societies devoted to various aspects of their natural resources and culture.
Wealthier and more educated people from all over Europe began to travel around and explore the mountainous areas. The first recorded ascents of Lomnický Štít, Jahňací Štít and Kriváň were made in 1793 by a Scottish physician and geographer, Robert Townson. He may have stayed at the chalet that was built in the same year on the southern slope of Slavkovský Štít, in a location that later developed into the resort of Starý Smokovec.
More exploration of the Tatras was carried out in 1813 by the Swedish botanist and natural historian, Göran Wahlenberg. His principal objective was the study of the flora, but his records also contain much about other branches of nature study, and served for many years as a valuable reference work for other explorers.
In 1843 the Irishman John Ball made the first recorded ascent of Ľadový Štít (he later became the first president of the London Alpine Club). In those days it took two days to climb the highest peaks, with much use of horses and mules. The intervening night was spent either in a hayloft, a cave or under an overhanging rock.
Until 1871 the Tatras remained a relative backwater for tourists, as it lay so far from the railways and main roads. In that year a railway line was completed from Ostrava to Košice, passing through Štrba and Poprad, making possible connections from Vienna, Prague and Berlin, and the Tatras tourist industry began to flourish.
Soon after this were founded the local associations that actively promoted walking and mountaineering in the Tatras. These included the Hungaro–Carpathian Association on the Slovak side, and the Towarzystwo Tatrzańskie (Tatras Society) on the Polish side. Their work included building and marking the paths, many of which are still used today, as well as organising the guiding and mountain rescue services, and starting the network of mountain chalets.
Although the First World War resulted in Slovakia being declared part of the new Republic of Czechoslovakia, the fighting did not affect the Tatras. However, the defeat of the Austro–Hungarian Empire in 1918 and the resurgence of the Slovak language resulted in German place names being rendered into Slovak, so Zips became Spiš, Kesmark became Kežmarok and Schmecks became Smokovec. Less obviously, Deutschendorf became Poprad.
It was a very different story during the Second World War. In 1939 a puppet Slovak state was established under the Nazis, but with strong opposition in the form of local resistance units (partisans). This peaked at the end of 1944 and beginning of 1945, in what is now known as the Slovak National Uprising. There was fierce fighting in and around the Tatras villages, and in the valleys and forests, especially in the area around Podbanské. You may come across memorials at places where important battles took place.
In 1947 the High Tatras became a separate administrative region, called Vysoké Tatry. In 1999 it was awarded city status – although anywhere less like a city you are unlikely to find. To come right up to date, following the fall in 1989 of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia (the ‘Velvet Revolution’), an amicable separation (the ‘Velvet Divorce’) into two independent states, the Czech and Slovak republics, took effect on 1 January 1993. On 1 May 2004, together with Poland and eight other countries, the Slovak Republic became a full member of the European Union. You should note that, although most English-speaking people refer informally to Slovakia, the official name of the country is the Slovak Republic.
In recent years there has been much development of the tourism industry – not always to everybody’s liking – with major investment by national and multinational concerns.
Walking
Nearly all the walking in Slovakia covered in this book takes place in the High Tatras (Vysoké Tatry). The Western Tatras (Zapadné Tatry), despite providing extensive and delightful walking, are too remote and difficult of access to be of interest to people staying in the High Tatras resorts. Tourists are banned altogether from almost all of the White Tatras (Belianske Tatry), as well as from certain smaller areas in parts of the High Tatras not provided with waymarked routes – this is to protect the very fragile ecology, which has suffered from overuse in the past.
Six high summits on the Slovak side lie on the waymarked route network, and are therefore accessible without a guide. They are Kriváň, Kôprovský Štít, Rysy, Východná Vysoká, Slavkovský Štít and Jahňací Štít, all between 2200 and 2500m. Three other summits, albeit not particularly high, are easily accessible and provide fine views – they are Predné Solisko (2093m), Veľká Svišťovka (2037m) and Ostrva (1984m).
High passes on waymarked routes make a rewarding goal for a day’s excursion – these include Sedielko (2372m), Priečne Sedlo (2352m), Prielom (2288m) and Poľský Hrebeň (2200m) in the High Tatras, and Široké Sedlo (1830m) in the White Tatras. Hladké Sedlo (1994m) on the border with Poland provides a magnificent view into the Valley of Five Polish Tarns but is difficult to reach from the Slovak resorts. High tarns and mountain chalets also make satisfying targets, and there are plenty of these between 1500 and 2000m.
The two highest summits, Gerlachovský Štít (2654m) and Lomnický Štít (2634m), and some exciting ridge walks, require a qualified mountain guide. It is easy to hire one for the day – see ‘Mountain guides’, page 53.
See also ‘Altitudes’, page 21.
Waymarks In the Slovak High Tatras waymarks usually consist of three horizontal bands, the upper and lower ones being white, with the middle one either red, green, blue or yellow, to correspond with the colour shown for each route on the maps. At route starting points and junctions, the various waymarks (including an indication of walking times to major destinations) are attached to charming, picturesque and colourful rustic posts, made from fallen boughs to which a small red roof has been fixed. (You can ignore the frequent orange and black poles on the lower slopes and around the villages – they mark the location of gas mains.)
A typical Slovak High Tatras signpost, near Biela Voda (Yellow 8861)
Educational trails In the Slovak High Tatras, parts of some waymarked routes have been designated as náučný chodník, which literally means ‘instructive trail’ (as translated on some maps), but better known in English as ‘educational trail’. Interpretation boards placed along the route describe matters of interest concerning flora, fauna, geology or history at that location. This applies to routes Red 0930X, Red 0930B and Red 0930E. There is also a short, unwaymarked trail around the tarn of Skalnaté Pleso, and a heritage trail around Starý Smokovec.
Most of these boards are in Slovak only, however English translations have started to appear and at the time of writing had been included on Red 0930X, 0930E and the Štrbské Pleso circumnavigation.
Cycle routes Walkers should be aware that they will share some waymarked routes with cyclists, although much of the cycle route network is separate. Cyclists are asked to be in control at all times and give way to walkers, but beware of rogues! The terrain of most walking routes in the Tatras is too steep and rugged for even the hardiest of mountain bikes, so these shared routes are on the easier walking routes and have a ‘C’ waymark on trees, rocks etc:
Blue 2902A and Green 5802 from Podbanské up Kôprová Dolina
Blue 2902B from Popradské Pleso station to tarn
Green 5806A from Tatranská Polianka to Nižné Hagy
Yellow 8851 from Podbanské up Tichá Dolina
Yellow 8855 from Nižné Hagy to Vyšné Hagy
Yellow 8861 from Biela Voda to Zelené Pleso.
The path beside Cesta Slobody (see page 93) is also shared. The service road from Starý Smokovec up to Hrebienok is a cycle route, as is the one from Tatranská Polianka up to Sliezsky Dom (parallel to Green 5806B and Yellow 8856). These service roads are not supposed to be used by walkers, but often are.
Confusingly, some cycle routes have been given numbers which may appear on your map but are different from our system. For example, the Cesta Slobody route is 007, and our Blue 2902B up to Popradské Pleso is shown on some maps as 2866 – we suggest you ignore the cycle route numbers!
Of course, some walkers may wish to try a bit of cycling for a change – bicycles can be hired locally (see page 163). A map of cycle routes is available from tourist offices, and they are shown on a board opposite the bus station in Starý Smokovec.
Terrain unsuitable for mountain bikes! – looking towards Lomnický Štít on the way down from Jahňací Štít (Yellow 8861) (photo: R Turnbull)
Tatranská Bora
Nearly every year, many trees on both sides of the border are flattened by violent winds: in Slovakia they are called calamitá (plural calamity) and come from the north in winter; in Poland halna (plural halny) and arrive from the south in spring and autumn. However, in 2004 something even worse than a calamity struck the Slovak Tatras. On Friday 19 December at around 3.30pm, without warning, a monstrous gale from the west tore up the Tatras slopes through the hamlet of Nadbanské, gathering speed as it crossed the shoulder to the south of Štrbské Pleso. Whipping through the forest-zone villages, including Smokovec and Tatranská Lomnica, and the mountain slopes around them, by the time this cataclysm reached Skalnaté Pleso its windspeed had been measured by the astronomical observatory there at almost 200kph (125mph) – way above hurricane force (130kph). The last time such a phenomenon had been recorded was in 1922. It is known as the Tatranská Bora, caused by a rare combination of climatic conditions, and the accepted wisdom is that it occurs only once a century – this one was early.
By 5.30pm the Bora had subsided after passing through Tatranská Kotlina, but during those two hours it left behind a scene of such horrendous devastation that nearly every tree in its path had been smashed down between the altitudes of 770m and 1250m. In fact more than half of the total forested area in Slovakia’s Tatras National Park (24,000 of 46,000 hectares) had been totally or partially destroyed. In some places a lone spruce stood defiantly erect, or pathetically leaned eastwards at 45 degrees.
Mercifully there were no major human casualties on that traumatic evening, and surprisingly little structural damage. Even so, with deep snow, every road blocked, many bridges destroyed, telephone lines severed and mobile phone relay masts out of action, it took two days for news of the disaster to reach the outside world. Movement within the area was almost impossible, and indeed dangerous – one person was killed by a falling tree on the following day.
Slavkovský Štít from Cesta Slobody, with one of the teams clearing up after the Tatranská Bora
Teams (such as the one in the photograph opposite) worked around the clock to remove trees and rootstocks, and for some time afterwards processions of lorries and trains were seen taking Tatras timber away to wherever a market for it could be found. It took seven months to fully restore the local train services.
Although the situation caused by the Bora itself turned out to be not as bad as originally feared, many more trees were later either destroyed by fire or infected by a species of bark beetle, which found the new microclimate very much to its liking. There was much debate about what should happen to land left bare of trees. Many thought that it should be left open, as some grand vistas had been opened up that were previously hidden by tree cover. There were even proposals for new golf courses. Eventually it was decided to replace most of the trees with a mixture of coniferous and deciduous varieties, and some 2.7 million had been replanted by 2010, though they will take 20 years to reach maturity. In some areas, such as Tichá Dolina and Kôprová Dolina, fallen trees have been left in place to create wildlife habitats, and these areas will be left to regenerate naturally.
There is a monument to the event in the centre of Starý Smokovec, and smaller memorials in the area record donations of replacement trees by various organisations, including one at Horný Smokovec for a donation made by Rotary International.
Route suggestions
Waymarked network
Sections marked (ê) include at least one fixed chain or wire, and/or some scrambling. All start and finish points are served by public transport.
For routes starting or finishing in Štrbské Pleso, see gazetteer (page 187) for a description of the route between station and tarn, where the waymarks start.
1 PODBANSKÉ – TICHÁ DOLINA – HLADKÉ SEDLO – KÔPROVÁ DOLINA – PODBANSKÉ (940m–1994m)
| Grade | The walking is moderate but the distance is strenuous |
| Distance | 31.5km |
| Average gradient | 7% |
| Height gain | 1054m |
| Height loss | 1054m |
| Time | 8h |
| Refreshments | Podbanské |
Uses easy access routes, with short moderate ascents to Hladké Sedlo on the border, which has a magnificent view of the beautiful Valley of Five Polish Tarns. As a circular route it is best done in the direction described, providing a more direct return to Podbanské. Hladké Sedlo can be reached more easily by going in the opposite direction and returning by the same route, with an optional short diversion to Nižné Temnosmrečinské Pleso.
From Podbanské bus stop, follow these path sections:
Yellow 8851 11km N along Tichá Dolina to Rázcestie pod Tomanovou Dolinou
Red 0931 7km E to Sedlo Závory and Hladké Sedlo, returning to Sedlo Závory
Green 5801 2.5km S to Rázcestie pod Hlinskou Dolinou
Blue 2902A 6km SW to Rázcestie pod Grúnikom
Green 5802 3.5km W to Tichá
Yellow 8851 1.5km SW to Podbanské
2 ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO – JAMSKÉ PLESO – TRI STUDNIČKY – PODBANSKÉ (940m–1447m)
| Grade | Easy |
| Distance | 13.5km |
| Average gradient | 5% |
| Height gain | 185m |
| Height loss | 600m |
| Time | 3h 45m |
| Refreshments | Štrbské Pleso, Podbanské |
Štrbské Pleso – the tarn and hotels
A gentle introduction, or wet-weather walk, including the delightful Jamské Pleso tarn and fine views over the Sub-Tatras Basin.
From Štrbské Pleso station follow:
Red 0930F 4.5km NW to Jamské Pleso then 3.5km W to Tri Studničky
Red 0930G 5.5km W to Podbanské
3 ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO – KRIVÁŇ – TRI STUDNIČKY (1194m–2494m)
| Grade | Strenuous |
| Distance | 12km |
| Average gradient | 20% |
| Height gain | 1139m |
| Height loss | 1300m |
| Time | 6h 15m |
| Refreshments | Štrbské Pleso |
A well-used route with no fixed chain, but some scrambling, to one of the most popular summits – Kriváň, national symbol of Slovakia.
From Štrbské Pleso station follow:
Red 0930F 4.5km NW to Jamské Pleso (turn off shortly before lake)
Blue 2903 () 4km NW to Kriváň summit, and return to Rázcestie pod Kriváňom
Green 5803B 3.5km SW to Tri Studničky
4 ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO – KÔPROVSKY Štít – TRI STUDNIČKY (1194m–2363m)
| Grade | Strenuous |
| Distance | 25km |
| Average gradient | 9% |
| Height gain | 1012m |
| Height loss | 1173m |
| Time | 8h 30m |
| Refreshments | Štrbské Pleso, Popradské Pleso |
A less well-used route to a comparatively easy summit, with no chains or scrambling, and providing fine views over tarn-filled valleys. Popradské Pleso is the largest and deepest tarn in the Slovak Tatras.
From Štrbské Pleso station follow:
Red 0930E 4.5km N to Popradské Pleso
Blue 2902B 5km NW to Vyšné Kôprovské Sedlo
Red 0934 1km N to Kôprovsky Štít and return 1km to Vyšné Kôprovské Sedlo
Blue 2902A 13.5km SW to Tri Studničky
5 ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO – VODOPÁD SKOK – BYSTRÁ LÁVKA – VYŠNÉ WAHLENBERGOVO PLESO – ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO (1355m–2300m)
| Grade | Strenuous |
| Distance | 14.5km |
| Average gradient | 15% |
| Height gain | 945m |
| Height loss | 945m |
| Time | 6h 30m |
| Refreshments | Štrbské Pleso, Chata pod Soliskom (on optional alternative only) |
A popular route, easily accessible from Štrbské Pleso, mostly above the tree-line, and with excellent views. The route is easy as far as the waterfall, but there is a fixed chain and some scrambling near the top. You must follow the route anticlockwise, as described, to avoid meeting oncoming walkers on the chain, and because if there is snow near the saddle the route is more difficult to find clockwise.
From Štrbské Pleso station follow:
Yellow 8853A 4.5km NW to Vodopád Skok and 2.5km further () to Bystrá Lávka
Yellow 8853B 1km SW to Vyšné Wahlenbergovo Pleso, 2.5km to junction Blue 2836B, 1.5km to junction Red 0930F
Red 0930F 2.5km SE to Štrbské Pleso
Optional alternative Take Blue 2836B 1km SE to Chata pod Soliskom (some climbing), then either walk 3.5km down Blue 2836B to Štrbské Pleso or take chair-lift (total 15km or 11.5km).
6 ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO – CHATA POD SOLISKOM – PREDNÉ SOLISKO – CHATA POD SOLISKOM – FURKOTSKÁ DOLINA – ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO (1355m–2093m)
| Grade | Moderate |
| Distance | 11.5km |
| Average gradient | 13% |
| Height gain | 738m |
| Height loss | 738m |
| Time | 4h 15m |
| Refreshments | Chata pod Soliskom, Štrbské Pleso |
Predné Solisko is a very popular minor summit, because it is just a short walk from the chair-lift, and provides good views over Štrbské Pleso.
From Štrbské Pleso station follow:
Blue 2836B 3.5km NW to Chata pod Soliskom (or take chair-lift)
Red 0935 1.5km N to Predné Solisko and return to Chata pod Soliskom
Blue 2836B 1km NW to Furkotská Dolina
Yellow 8853B 1.5km SE to junction Red 0930F
Red 0930F 2.5km SE to Štrbské Pleso
Optional alternative From Chata pod Soliskom return on Blue 2836B to Štrbské Pleso – this has better views than 2836/8853/0930 (total 10km).
7 ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO – POPRADSKÉ PLESO – RYSY AND RETURN (1355m–2500m)
| Grade | Strenuous |
| Distance | 18km |
| Average gradient | 15% |
| Height gain | 1145m |
| Height loss | 1145m |
| Time | 9h 00m |
| Refreshments | Štrbské Pleso, Popradské Pleso, Chata pod Rysmi |
One of the most popular routes, as Rysy is the highest summit on the waymarked route network, with fine views into Poland. You can save 15 minutes walking in each direction by starting instead at Popradské Pleso station and using Blue 2902B to and from the tarn. For a route suggestion that includes the Polish side of Rysy, see page 208.
From Štrbské Pleso station follow:
Red 0930E 4.5km N to Popradské Pleso
Blue 2902B 1.5km N to junction Red 0933
Red 0933 () 3km NE to Chata pod Rysmi and Rysy summit Return by same route.
8 ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO – POPRADSKÉ PLESO – OSTRVA – BATIZOVSKÉ PLESO – SLIEZSKY DOM – STARÝ SMOKOVEC (1010m–1984m)
| Grade | Moderate |
| Distance | 19km |
| Average gradient | 10% |
| Height gain | 571m |
| Height loss | 916m |
| Time | 7h 00m |
| Refreshments | Štrbské Pleso, Popradské Pleso, Sliezsky Dom, Starý Smokovec |
A route featuring one of the more dramatic sections of the Tatranská Magistrála (see page 93), with good views of the Sub-Tatras Basin. It can be followed in the reverse direction, but would then involve more climbing, unless you take the funicular to Hrebienok. For those wishing to return to Štrbské Pleso or Tatranská Lomnica, Green 5806B from Sliezsky Dom to Tatranská Polianka provides a quicker descent to the bus or train.
From Štrbské Pleso station follow:
Red 0930E 4.5km N to Popradské Pleso
Red 0930D 1.5km SE to Sedlo pod Ostrvou, then 3.5km E to junction Yellow 8855, then 1km NE to Batizovské Pleso and 1.5km SE to junction Yellow 8856, then 2km NE to Sliezsky Dom
Green 5806B 0.5km SE to junction Yellow 8858
Yellow 8858 2km SE to junction Blue 2905 and 2.5km to Starý Smokovec
The Hrebienok funicular
9 POPRADSKÉ PLESO STATION – POPRADSKÉ PLESO TARN – ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO (1250m–1494m)
| Grade | Easy |
| Distance | 7.5km |
| Average gradient | 5% |
| Height gain | 244m |
| Height loss | 139m |
| Time | 2h 15m |
| Refreshments | Popradské Pleso, Štrbské Pleso |
An easy and popular short route to and from a beautiful tarn, passing the Dubček Stone, plus an opportunity to view the unique Symbolic Cemetery. In winter you will have to use Green 5805, as Red 0930E is closed because of avalanche danger.
From Popradské Pleso station (1km NE of Štrbské Pleso) follow:
Blue 2902B 3.5km N to Popradské Pleso tarn
Red 0930E 4km SW to Štrbské Pleso tarn
Optional diversion On Yellow 8854 to Symbolický Cintorín (Symbolic Cemetery, small fee payable, closed 1 January to 15 June) adds 0.5km/15mins plus viewing time.
10 TATRANSKÁ POLIANKA – SLIEZSKY DOM – BATIZOVSKÉ PLESO – VYŠNÉ HÁGY (1010m–1879m)
| Grade | Moderate |
| Distance | 13.5km |
| Average gradient | 12% |
| Height gain | 869m |
| Height loss | 794m |
| Time | 6h 00m |
| Refreshments | Tatranská Polianka, Sliezsky Dom, Vyšné Hagy |
This route used to be mostly in forest, but since the Tatranská Bora is now on open terrain nearly all the way, with grand views from the Tatranská Magistrála section (see page 93). Sliezsky Dom is one of the most scenic chalets in the High Tatras.
From Tatranská Polianka station follow:
Green 5806B 4.5km NW to Sliezsky Dom
Red 0930D 2km SW to junction Yellow 8856, then 1.5km NW to Batizovské Pleso, then 1km SW to junction Yellow 8855
Yellow 8855 4.5km S to Vyšné Hágy
11 TATRANSKÁ POLIANKA – SLIEZSKY DOM – STARÝ SMOKOVEC (1010m–1678m)
| Grade | Easy |
| Distance | 11km |
| Average gradient | 12% |
| Height gain | 668m |
| Height loss | 668m |
| Time | 4h 00m |
| Refreshments | Tatranská Polianka, Sliezsky Dom, Starý Smokovec |
Although the walking is generally easy, there are some steep sections, now mostly in open terrain. Sliezsky Dom is well situated on the beautiful small tarn of Velické Pleso.
From Tatranská Polianka station follow:
Green 5806B 5km NW to Sliezsky Dom
Green 5806B 0.5km SE to junction Yellow 8858
