Hut-To-Hut Hiking Slovakia High Tatras: 5-Day Itinerary By Local

Hut-to-Hut hiking in the High Tatras mountains is one of the biggest adventures that Slovakia offers. You can sleep in the huts and enjoy the atmosphere of the mountains while sipping Slovakian soup. On the way, you’ll climb some of the highest mountain peaks, pass by crystal clear lakes, and enjoy stunning views.

I’m from Slovakia and lived there for the first 18 years. I always feel safe. High Tatras are my home, and I love returning to relax and recharge.

I made this 5-day hike with my dad and created this itinerary route from my experience. Besides, I hiked each trail several times and included all the details you need to plan your adventure. Are you ready? Let’s do it.

Overview Of Hut-To-Hut Hiking Slovakia In High Tatras

Below is an overview of the entire hut-hut-hut hiking route. Scroll down to the section with practical tips for English translations of these Slovak words.

DAY:	DESTINATION:
1.	Poprad City – Biela Voda – Chata pri Zelenom Plese
2.	Chata pri Zelenom Plese – Skalnaté Pleso – Zamkovského Chata – Terýho Chata
3.	Terýho Chata – Priečne Saddle –  Zbojnícka Chata
4.	Zbojnícka Chata – Prielom Saddle – Poľský Peak – Sliezsky Dom – Batizovské Pleso – Popradské Pleso
5.	Popradské Pleso – Štrbské Pleso

Important Things To Know For Slovakia Hut-To-Hut Hiking

This hut-to-hut hiking is for more experienced hikers. If you’ve never gone hiking, choose some easier hikes in the High Tatras that you can still enjoy.

The trail includes some steep ascending to mountain peaks, which usually have a lot of snow, even in summer. But then there are parts with very easy trails with beautiful scenery, which you’ll enjoy.

It’s also possible to hike off the main trail to avoid climbing through the steep mountain passes. You’ll still make the entire hut-to-hut route. So, for each day, I’ll also give you an alternative trail, which will be easier to hike if you want to avoid the steepest sections.

Where To Start Your Hut-To-Hut Hiking In Slovakia, High Tatras

Our hike will take 5 days. You can also do it in fewer or more days. If you feel tired for the day, stop at the nearest hut and sleep overnight. Or hike more if you feel energized.

Either you can start from the east and hike towards the west or the other way around.

The starting point from the east is ‘Zelené Pleso,’ which is the ‘Green Lake.’ If you choose to hike from the west, you’ll start your trail in ‘Štrbské Pleso’ (Štrbské Lake).

I recommend starting at the Green Lake, as this itinerary suggests. You’ll pass through the steeper sections at the beginning (when you have more energy) and come to Štrbské Pleso at the end, which has many wellness hotels, so you can relax and reflect on your trip.

💡 NOTE: I can design a customized itinerary for your hut-to-hut hiking in the High Tatras. I’ll make it shorter and include insider tips and a detailed description so it’s easier for you to follow the trail. I can also call the mountain huts to give you more information/book it for you. Write me an email: info(at)voicesoftravel.com or fill out the contact form below:

5-Day Itinerary For Hut-To-Hut Hiking Slovakia In High Tatras

In this itinerary, we’ll start with the more difficult part of the route at Green Lake. Follow each day of this trail to see where the more difficult parts are, what you should be aware of, and where you can avoid the steep and dangerous mountain saddles and hike the other way.

Are you ready for this amazing adventure? Let’s get started!

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1. Day: Biela Voda ⇒ Zelené Pleso

The first day of your trail is easy, and everybody can do it, even fewer experienced hikers. So take this first day as a warm-up. Today, you only have to get to the Hut at Green Lake (Chata pri Zelenom Plese).

Your starting point is the parking called Biela Voda (White Water). From there, you’ll walk approx. 3 hours up to the Green Lake.

TRAVEL DURATION: Tatra Express Poprad City – Biela Voda (35 minutes) HIKE DURATION: 3 hours HIKE DISTANCE: 7 km/4.3 miles DIFFICULTY: Very Easy ROUTE: Poprad ⇒ Biela Voda ⇒ Chata pri Zelenom Plese LUNCH OPTIONS: in Poprad, or your snacks, you’ll have dinner in Chata pri Zelenom Plese

How To Get To Biela Voda Parking?

From Poprad City, you’ll catch the Tatras Express bus directly to Biela Voda. The bus leaves from the bus station in Poprad.

Then, follow the signs from Biela Voda up to Zelené Pleso. The trails are well-marked in the High Tatras. On the way, there are signs with all the destinations and the color of the sign you must follow. So read the signs, see the destination’s color, and get to Zelené Pleso in about 3 hours.

That’s it for today. You’ve started the trail, and now it’s time to have a good dinner and enjoy the first moments in the Slovakian mountains.

Chata Pri Zelenom Plese: All You Need To Know

Prepare for your first overnight stay in the hut at Green Lake. You have 2 options. You can take your sleeping bag and sleep in the open area with others on a mat. All huts provide this option and call it ‘emergency accommodation. Or you can book a bed in a multibed room.

Breakfast is included in the price of the room. You’ll only have to pay extra for dinner.

NOTE: Some huts offer emergency accommodation only after the regular rooms are fully booked. So it’s best to call/write an email and find out.

• Overnight in a multibed room: 32 EUR, including breakfast
• Emergency Overnight: 19,50 EUR, including breakfast
• Breakfast: Breakfast Buffet
• Dinner: 12 EUR (you’ll get a starter, main course, and a dessert and a drink). Dinner is not included in your room rate.

For reservations, write an email to: tatry@chataprizelenomplese.sk.

2. Day: Zelené Pleso ⇒ Terýho Chata

Welcome to the second day of our hut-to-hut hiking trail. I hope you slept well because today, we have the first serious hike. You start with the more difficult part at the beginning before making your way to Skalnaté Pleso.

Afterward, you’ll enjoy an easy walk through the Tatras Panoramic Trail down to Zamkovskeho Chata. Have some lunch there and rest before ascending to Terýho Chata, where you’ll sleep overnight.

HIKE DURATION: 5 hours & 35 minutes HIKE DISTANCE: 12.9 km/8 miles DIFFICULTY: Fairly easy, a steep ascend via Veľká Svišťovka ROUTE: Chata pri Zelenom Plese ⇒ Skalnaté Pleso ⇒ Zamkovského Chata ⇒ Terýho Chata LUNCH OPTION: Skalnaté Pleso or Zamkovského Chata

Detailed Info For The Hike

The first trail is a classic one that many people do. It’s called ‘Veľká Svišťovka hike‘. You’ll walk from Zelené Pleso to Skalnaté Pleso. There is one steeper part on the way, where you should pay more attention, but it’s manageable.

From Skalnaté Pleso, you’ll walk the beautiful Tatra Panoramic Trail to the hut called ‘Zámkovského Chata.’ You can have lunch there, rest, and continue up to Terýho Chata, our destination today.

If you feel it’s too much, sleep at Zámkovského Chata and leave the hike to Terýho Chata for day 3. It’s up to you. The most important thing is to enjoy the trail, so take it easy.

Another Option: Zelené Pleso ⇒ Baranie Rohy ⇒ Terýho Chata

For today, you also have a second option for your hike. However, it’s more for experienced hikers. You’ll be ascending a steep mountain (Baranie Rohy) to its saddle.

From Zelené Pleso, you’ll walk to the so-called ‘Baranie Rohy,’ the mountain saddle I’ve been talking about. From Baranie Rohy, you’ll descend directly to your destination, Terýho Chata.

Choose to do this section specifically in July and August. Otherwise, there is a lot of snow, and it’s slightly dangerous.

Terýho Chata: All You Need To Know

• Overnight in a multibed room: 42 EUR + 1.5 EUR
• Emergency Overnight: 12 EUR
• Breakfast: 5 EUR, at extra cost
• Dinner: 9 EUR, at extra cost

They’ll give you with breakfast. For dinner, you can usually choose from their menu, soup, and the main dish. They also provide vegetarian options.

For reservations, write an email to: teryhochata007@gmail.com.

👉 READ ALSO: Best Of Slovakia Itinerary: 8 Days In Slovakia

3. Day: Terýho Chata ⇒ Zbojnícka Chata

Good morning to Terýho Chata. Today’s hike will be more challenging, but everybody can do it. Just be careful.

You’ll be ascending a mountain saddle before descending to another hut called Zbojnícka chata, which is our destination for tonight.

HIKE DURATION: 3 hours HIKE DISTANCE: 5.1 km/3.1 miles DIFFICULTY: medium ROUTE: Terýho Chata ⇒ Pod Sedielkom ⇒ Priečne Sedlo ⇒ Zbojnícka Chata LUNCH OPTION: no lunch option, bring snacks

Detailed Info For The Hike

This hike is more challenging at the beginning before you reach Priečne Sedlo (Priečne Saddle). But after, you’ll descend directly to the hut for the night. So, it’s one of the shorter hikes of the entire trail.

Also, there might still be snow in the Priečne Saddle (in June or late September), so the ice grips might be handy. But don’t worry, you can do it. Many people do this hike, so there is nothing to fear.

If you slept at Zamkovského Chata the night before, first, you’ll ascend to Terýho Chata. Then, rest before a more challenging ascent to Priečne Sedlo (Priečne Saddle). Afterward, make your way down to your destination, Zbojnícka Chata.

Zbojnícka Chata: All You Need To Know

Unlike the first two huts, Zbojnícka Hut offers a bed with a half-board, all included in your room rate. If you don’t want a half-board, you can only choose dinner or breakfast.

They also have the usual emergency accommodation option, but it’s only available after all rooms are fully booked.

• Overnight in a multibed room: 39 EUR, including dinner and breakfast
• Accommodation with breakfast only: 23 EUR + 6 EUR for breakfast
• Accommodation with dinner only: 23 EUR + 12 EUR for dinner

For reservations, write an email to: rezervacie@zbojnickachata.sk.

4. Day: Zbojnícka Chata ⇒ Popradské Pleso

Today, be prepared for the longest hike so far. You’ll first ascend the more difficult part via Prielom Saddle before you get to Sliezky Dom for a lunch break.

After, you’ll walk through the Tatra Panoramic Trail again. It’s pretty chilled, with stunning views. The most challenging parts of the entire hike are behind you. Now it’s time to do the more relaxing part.

You’ll also be crossing my favorite place on the entire planet, Batizovské Pleso. It’s a magical place, next to a lake, with beautiful views.

HIKE DURATION: 7 hours & 25 minutes HIKE DISTANCE: 17.2 km/10.7 miles DIFFICULTY: Medium ROUTE: Zbojnícka Chata ⇒ Prielom ⇒ Poľský Hrebeň ⇒ Sliezsky Dom ⇒ Batizovské Pleso ⇒ Chata pri Popradskom Plese LUNCH OPTION: Sliezsky Dom

Detailed Info For The Hike

The first part of your hike is more challenging. You’ll ascend to Prielom Saddle. Once you get there, there is a nice trail before climbing to Poľský Hrebeň (Polish Peak). Then, descend to Sliezsky Dom, where you can have lunch and a good coffee.

After Sliezsky Dom, you’ll enjoy the easier part of the hike – the Tatra Panoramic Trail. In about an hour, you’ll reach Batizovské Pleso. After, you’ll walk to the Sedlo pod Ostrvou (Ostrva Saddle). From there, you’ll already see your destination with a beautiful hut next to the lake – Popradské Pleso.

Enjoy your last night in the Slovakian mountains, in Popradské Pleso Hut.

If you want, you can also sleep at Sliezsky Dom. It’s a beautiful hotel, not a mountain hut. So in case you want to treat yourself on the way, do so. On the last day, you can hike to Popradské Pleso and finish your hike at Štrbské Pleso.

Chata Pri Popradskom Plese: All You Need To Know

Apart from all the other huts you’ve visited so far, this one is much bigger. So you’ll also have the option of booking a private double room. Or you can still stick to the multibed room.

They don’t provide emergency accommodation since they have many rooms.

• Overnight in an 8-bed room: 20 EUR 
• Overnight in a 3-bed room: 24 EUR 
• Standard 2-bed room (courtyard view): 80 EUR per room
• Standard 3-bed room (courtyard view): 110 EUR per room
• Standard 4-bed room (courtyard view): 135 EUR per room
• Superior 2-bed room (lake view): 90 EUR per room
• Superior Plus 2-bed room (lake view): 100 EUR per room
• Breakfast: 7 EUR, at extra cost
• Halfboard: 17 EUR, at extra cost

For breakfast and dinner, you can choose something from their self-service buffet restaurant. Ask the reception for mealtimes.

In addition, Popradské Pleso Hut also offers you a Finnish sauna and a bathtub that you can enjoy:

• Finnish sauna: 8 EUR pp. per hour
• Bathtub: 8 EUR pp. per hour

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5. Day: Popradské Pleso ⇒ Štrbské Pleso

Good job, you’ve almost officially made the entire hut-to-hut hiking trail. Today, you’ll only need to get to Štrbské Pleso, just an hour walk from Popradské Pleso.

HIKE DURATION: 1 hour HIKE DISTANCE: 4.8 km/3 miles DIFFICULTY: Easy ROUTE: Chata pri Popradskom Plese ⇒ Štrbské Pleso LUNCH OPTION: Štrbské Pleso

Detailed Info For The Hike

Enjoy your breakfast in the morning and the lake. You can first walk to the symbolic cemetery, which is very nice. It’s a beautiful, easy walk around the Popradské Pleso. You can still leave your backpack in the hut. After, have coffee or a drink and go down to Štrbské Pleso.

Congratulations, you’ve made the entire hut-to-hut hiking trail in the High Tatras.

Tonight, you can still sleep at Štrbské Pleso. Treat yourself to the Kempinski Hotel, or go for a wellness stay at Borovica Hotel. You deserve it after a long, challenging 5-day hike.

Where To Stay In Štrbské Pleso: My TOP TIPS For Accommodation

APLEND LAKE RESORT – budget-friendly hotel
WELLNESS HOTEL BOROVICA – mid-range hotel
GRAND HOTEL KEMPINSKI – luxury hotel at the lake (best option)

Practical Tips For Your Hut-To-Hut Hike In High Tatras

To help you plan your hiking trip to Slovakia even more in detail, I also have some additional tips, including a packing list, food information, and a quick guide to the Slovakian language.

Best Time For Hut-To-Hut Hiking In The High Tatras

Note that the hiking trails in the High Tatras are only open from mid-June until mid or end of September. So that’s the only time I recommend making this trek.

The best time to go is the end of June or in September. These months are less crowded, and the temperatures are mild. In mid-June, there might still be a bit of snow on the mountain passes. So if you don’t want to hike in the snow (which is more difficult), visit in July and August.

What To Pack For Your Hut-To-Hut Hiking?

Here is my basic packing list for your hiking trip in the High Tatras. These are the most essential things I would bring with me. Also, don’t forget that you must carry them 5 or 6 days in your backpack, so don’t overpack. Only bring the most essential stuff.

• T-Shirts (3x)
• long sleeve shirt (1x)
• jumper/sweater (1x)
• waterproof jacket (1x)
• hiking pants (1x)
• shorts (1x)
• pair of gloves (1x)
• pair of winter socks, thick one (1x)
• hiking boots (1x)
• pair of shoes/slippers to wear in a hut (1x)
• Optional: ice grips might be handy for the steep peak climbing with a little bit of snow even in the summer
• Optional: sleeping bag, if you want to hike on a budget and get the emergency accommodation (explained below)
• Good Backpack (40L -Osprey is great)
• Offline Maps: Like Maps.me

What About Food And Drinks During The Hike?

In all the huts, where you’ll stay overnight, you’ll get dinner and breakfast. I explained everything about these meals in the hut section.

However, I recommend you take some snacks that are light to carry. Take müsli bars, chocolate bars, chocolate, nuts, and a water bottle:

• müsli bars
• chocolate bars
• chocolate
• nuts
• water bottle

As for the water, the huts usually don’t provide any water unless you pay for mineral water. I usually drink water from the springs in the High Tatras (it’s clean and fresh from the mountains). So, you can take a water bottle and always fill it up during your hike.

However, I’ve also heard some people didn’t feel well after drinking the water – so if you have a weak stomach, better buy water in the huts and don’t drink the spring water.

Quick Guide Of Slovakian Language

Since all the signs in the High Tatras are written in the Slovak language, I’ve translated some of the most important words for you in English:

• chata = hut
• pleso = lake
• vodopád = waterfall
• lanovka = cable car
• pozemná lanovka = funicular
• Slivovica = Slovakian plumb brandy

👉 READ ALSO: What To See In Slovakia In 3 Days: Full Guide

FAQs

I’ve also answered some of the most frequently asked questions about hut-to-hut hiking. Check the answers below.

What Is A Hut-To-Hut Hike?

The hut-to-hut hike is a multiple-day hike during which you sleep in the mountain huts. You follow certain trail along the way to get from one mountain hut to another. The length of the hike depends on the size of a mountain range and the number of huts it has.

How Do You Plan A Hut-To-Hut Hike?

First, I recommend finding a mountain range that has multiple mountain huts in which you can sleep. After seeing specific mountain huts, find information about sleeping in them and how far they’re from each other. Then, design a hiking route for your trip based on your fitness level and available time.

What Size Backpack For Hut-To-Hut Hiking Do You Need?

40L is the best backpack (Osprey is one of the best brands) to bring on your hut-to-hut hiking adventure. It’s a small backpack, yet big enough to fit everything you need for the hike. Make sure not to overpack because it’ll be difficult to hike with a heavy backpack.

WRAP-UP: Hut-To-Hut Hiking In Slovakia

This is my detailed hut-to-hut hiking itinerary for the High Tatras in Slovakia. I’ve made this itinerary myself, and I’m sure you’ll have a great time. It’s one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Europe, and the experience of sleeping in the mountain huts is unforgettable.

It’s also possible to make this trail in 3 or 4 days. But most importantly, enjoy it fully.

If you have more questions or want a customized travel itinerary for your hike, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com. I’ll gladly help you plan your trip.

Happy Travels!