Best Trails For Hut-to-Hut Hiking Slovakia In High Tatras Mountains

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Table of Contents

Overview Of Hut-To-Hut Hiking Slovakia In High Tatras
Europe Travel Checklist
Quick Guide Of Slovakian Language
Important Things To Know
What To Pack For Your Hut-To-Hut Hiking Slovakia?
What About Food And Drinks During The Hike?
Where To Start Your Hut-To-Hut Hiking In Slovakia, High Tatras
5-Day Itinerary For Hut-to-Hut Hiking Slovakia In High Tatras Mountains
1. Day: Biela Voda ⇒ Zelené Pleso
Chata Pri Zelenom Plese (Hut At The Green Lake): All You Need To Know
2. Day: Zelené Pleso ⇒ Terýho Chata
Terýho Chata (Terýho Hut): All You Need To Know
3. Day: Terýho Chata ⇒ Zbojnícka Chata
Zbojnícka Chata (Zbojnícka Hut): All You Need To Know
4. Day: Zbojnícka Chata ⇒ Popradské Pleso
Chata Pri Popradskom Plese (Hut At The Popradské Lake): All You Need To Know
5. Day: Popradské Pleso ⇒ Štrbské Pleso
More Tips For Traveling In Slovakia

Hut-to-Hut Hiking in Slovakia and its High Tatras mountains is one of the biggest adventures you can undertake in Slovakia. You can sleep in the huts and enjoy the atmosphere of the mountains while sipping a great Slovakian soup. On the way, you’ll climb some of the highest mountain peaks, pass by crystal clear lakes with stunning views of the Slovakian landscape, and stay in the best mountain huts in Slovakia.

Are you ready to do hut-to-hut hiking in the High Tatras? Let’s do it.

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

Below, I am giving you an overview of the entire hut-hut-hut hiking route that you’ll hike. English translations of these Slovak words are right below in the next section:

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

Europe Travel Checklist

Before you set off for your Slovakian hiking adventure, there are a couple of things you’ll need to manage. Here are the top essentials for you to think of before traveling to Europe/Slovakia:

• travel insurance
• car rental/train pass/tickets
• book a flight
• passport
• visa
• accommodation

Travel Insurance For Europe

Choosing travel insurance can be doubting. So I’ve done extensive research for you on the best travel insurance for Europe. Check out my article for a comparison of the best 3 travel insurance companies, so you can choose for yourself.

Best Travel Insurance For Europe

Car Rental/Train Pass

You’ll need to decide whether you want to do this itinerary as a road trip and rent a car in Slovakia, or travel by train. If you want to rent a car, check out Rental Cars company for the best deals.

For private transfers, check out Get Transfers. They offer reliable transfer services within Europe. Especially if you travel in a small group, it can be a good deal to book with them.

In case you decide to make this itinerary by train, I suggest getting an Interrail or Eurail Pass. Both enable you to travel for a certain number of days within a month or two throughout Europe. You can select the number of days and countries, and it gets much cheaper than buying a simple ticket.

• Interrail Pass is for European residents
• Eurail Pass is for residents outside of Europe

If you decide to buy single tickets, check Trainline company. I always use them to search for and buy train tickets as they can reduce your fares significantly.

*Note that it’s much easier to do this itinerary with a car. Simply because you won’t get by train everywhere.

Book A Flight

Another thing you’ll need to do is to book a flight ticket.

Use flight aggregators to check the top flight deals. They gather information and all flight tickets from airlines around the world and select the best deals for you. Among the best are Skyscanner, Hopper, Kayak, and Priceline.

After you see the results in their search engines, I recommend going to the website of the particular airline they showed you. Check on the airline site for how much they offer for the same flight ticket.

If the price is more or less the same, book directly with the airline (simply because it’s easier to communicate with them if issues happen during your journey). If a flight aggregator has a much cheaper ticket, book with them.

Passport & Visa

Check the expiration date of your passport. Most airlines don’t even take you on board if your passport expires in 6 months. Avoid issues with boarding and on the road. Make sure your passport won’t expire in the next 8 months. Think about how long you’ll travel as you still have to come back home with the passport.

Lastly, check if you need visa to Slovakia. One of the best site for visa pre-check is iVisa. They also inform you about other necessary documents you might need to travel to Slovakia.

Accommodation

During this itinerary, you’ll be staying in Slovakian mountain huts. See each day for the hut description and things to prepare.

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

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

One thing you should be aware of is that this hut-to-hut hiking is for more experienced hikers. If you’ve never gone hiking in your life, rather choose some easier hikes in the High Tatras that you can still enjoy. This hut-to-hut hiking 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 is also possible to off the road many of the peaks if you don’t want to climb them. You’ll still make the entire hut-to-hut trail. So for each day, I’ll also give you an alternative trail, which will be easier to hike if you want to avoid the steep mountain peaks.

However, if you want to hike those mountain peaks, I highly recommend taking some extra equipment with you, such as ice grips. In addition, great hiking boots, a waterproof jacket, gloves, and hiking pants are a must to take.

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

Here is my simple yet fulfilling packing list for your hut-to-hut hiking Slovakia in the High Tatras. It is up to you what else you bring. These are the most essential things I would definitely bring with me. Also, don’t forget that you have to 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
• 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. All the information above these meals for each hut is explained below 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.

In addition, I recommend you take the following for your hike:

• 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. However, the water from the springs in the High Tatras is one of the best you can drink. So rather take a water bottle with you and always fill it up during your hike.

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

Our hut-to-hut hiking Slovakia will take 5 days. You can also do it in more days. If you feel tired for the day, just stop at the nearer hut and sleep overnight. Instead, enjoy the stunning nature around you and take your time. I would say 5 to 6 days is a perfect time to complete this trail.

When you look at the High Tatras Range, it stretches from the west to the east and continues further to Poland. You can choose your way. Either you can start from the east and hike towards the west, or the other way around.

You can book a private transfer from a train station or from Bratislava to your starting point in High Tatras with Get Transfer.

The 2 Starting Points

The starting point from the east is ‘Zelené Pleso,’ which is the ‘Green Lake.’ It is also called the hut next to the green lake (Chata pri Zelenom Plese).

If you choose to hike from the west, you’ll start your trail in ‘Štrbské Pleso’ (Štrbské Lake).

I went from the east to the west, but it is up to you which way you choose. Both ways are beautiful. Perhaps the only difference is that there is a steep ascending at the beginning when you start at Green Lake. Then on the second and third day, you have a steep mountain hike with quite a bit of snow. But after, the last 2 days, the trail is very easy with panoramic views of the valleys and cities around. So if you want to start with the more difficult hiking parts and have the easy path at the end, start at Green Lake (on the east).

If you want to start your trail with the easier part (which would be the first 3 days), then undertake the more difficult one, at last, start your hut-to-hut hiking in the west (Štrbské Lake).

5-Day Itinerary For Hut-to-Hut Hiking Slovakia In High Tatras Mountains

In this itinerary, I am going to start with the more difficult part of the route, at Green Lake. Then, 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?

1. Day: Biela Voda ⇒ Zelené Pleso: Hut-To-Hut Hiking Slovakia, High Tatras

• Travel Duration: Tatra Express Bus from Poprad city to Biela Voda / 35 minutes
• Duration of the hike: 3 hours hiking from Biela Voda
• Distance of the hike: 7 km
• Difficulty: Very easy
• Route for today: Poprad ⇒ Biela Voda ⇒ Chata pri Zelenom Plese
• Lunch Options: none, use your snacks; you’ll have dinner at your destination.

The first day of your trail is very easy, and everybody can do it, even fewer experienced hikers. So take this first day as a warm-up for your hut-to-hut hiking. Today, you only have to get to the Hut at the 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. This hike is very easy, with a slight ascending, but nothing serious.

How To Get To Biela Voda Parking?

The best way is to take a bus – Tatra Express. From Poprad city, where you left the car, you’ll catch the Tatras Express bus directly to Biela Voda. Once you get there, your hut-to-hut hiking Slovakia trail can officially start. The Tatra Express bus leaves from the bus station in Poprad.

Follow the yellow signs on the way from Biela Voda all the way up to Zelené Pleso. The trails are well-marked in the High Tatras. Every now and then, there is a big sign with all destinations and colour of the sign you have to follow. So just read the signs, see the colour of the destination, and you’ll get to Zelené Pleso in about 3 hours.

This is it for today. You’ve started the trail, and now it’s time to have a good dinner and enjoy the first impression of the High Tatras mountains.

Chata Pri Zelenom Plese (Hut At The Green Lake): All You Need To Know

Prepare for your first overnight stay in the hut at the Green Lake. You have 2 options. Either you can take your own 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 choose a bed in a multibed room. Breakfast is included in the price of the room. You’ll only have to pay extra for dinner.

• Overnight in a multibed room with 1 bed: 32 EUR, including breakfast
• Emergency Overnight in your sleeping bag: 19,50 EUR, including breakfast
• Breakfast: Breakfast Buffet from 6:30 until 8:00am.
• Dinner: 12 EUR for dinner (you’ll get a starter, main course, and a dessert and a drink). Dinner is not included in your room rate. It is served at 7:00pm.

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

2. Day: Zelené Pleso ⇒ Terýho Chata: Hut-To-Hut Hiking Slovakia, High Tatras

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.

After, you’ll enjoy a very easy walk through the Tatras panoramic trail all the way down to Zamkovskeho Chata. Have some lunch there and take a rest before ascending up to Terýho Chata, where you’ll sleep overnight.

• Duration of the hike: 5 hours & 35 minutes
• Distance of the hike: 12.9 km
• Difficulty: Fairly easy, with 1 part being more difficult at the beginning
• Route for today: Chata pri Zelenom Plese ⇒ Skalnaté Pleso ⇒ Zamkovského Chata ⇒ Terýho Chata
• Lunch options: either Skalnaté Pleso or Zamkovského Chata

Detailed Info For The Hike

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

From Skalnaté Pleso, you’ll walk the beautiful Tatra panoramic trail to the hut called ‘Zámkovského Chata‘. You can have lunch there and a good rest, and continue up to Terýho Chata, which is our destination for today.

If you feel like it’s too much for you, you can also sleep over at Zámkovského Chata and leave the hike to Terýho Chata for day 3. It is 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 is more for experienced hikers. You’ll be ascending a steep mountain (Baranie Rohy) to its saddle. If you don’t feel like it, rather take the first option. However, it is also a much shorter trail than the first option.

It also depends on the time of the year you are here to hike. I did this hike with my dad and his friends in May. There was too much snow in this part, which made it very dangerous as well. In summer (July, August), I believe it is not so dangerous, and there is barely snow. Just be aware that the mountain has too much snow except in summertime, and it is pretty dangerous. So I would suggest you choose the first option.

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

If you are an experienced hiker with good equipment and want to do it in the summertime, you can definitely choose the second option.

Terýho Chata (Terýho Hut): All You Need To Know

• Overnight in a multibed room with 1 bed: 42 EUR + 1.5 EUR
• Emergency Overnight in your sleeping bag: 12 EUR, including mattress and a blanket
• Breakfast: 5 EUR, at extra cost. Breakfast time is from 7am to 8am.
• Dinner: 9 EUR, at extra cost. Dinner is from 6pm. The kitchen closes at 9pm, and drinks can be ordered until 10pm.

They’ll provide 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

3. Day: Terýho Chata ⇒ Zbojnícka Chata: Hut-to-Hut Hiking Slovakia, High Tatras

Good morning to Terýho Chata. Another great way awaits us on our hut-to-hut hiking Slovakia trail. Today’s hike is also going to be more challenging, but everybody can do it. Just be careful. You’ll be ascending a mountain saddle before descending down to another hut called Zbojnícka chata, which is our destination for tonight.

• Duration of the hike: 3 hours
• Distance of the hike: 5.1 km
• Difficulty: More challenging but manageable.
• Route for today: Terýho Chata ⇒ Pod Sedielkom ⇒ Priečne Sedlo ⇒ Zbojnícka Chata
• Lunch options: no lunch options on this route since it is short. Use your chocolate bars and have lunch/dinner at Zbojnícka Chata.

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 is one of the shorter hikes of the entire trail, but more challenging.

Also, there might still be snow in the Priečne Saddle, 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 be afraid of.

In case you slept at Zamkovského Chata the night before, just follow the hike today. First of all, you’ll ascend to Terýho Chata. Then, have some rest there before a more challenging ascent to Priečne Sedlo (Priečne Saddle). After, make your way down to your destination, Zbojnícka chata.

Zbojnícka Chata (Zbojnícka Hut): All You Need To Know

Unlike the first two huts, Zbojnícka Hut provides you a bed with a half-board, all included in your room rate. In case you don’t want a half-board, you can only choose dinner or breakfast. They don’t have the usual emergency accommodation option.

• Overnight in a multibed room with 1 bed: 39 EUR, including dinner and breakfast
• Accommodation with breakfast only: 23 EUR + 6 EUR for breakfast.
• Overnight with dinner only: 23 EUR + 12 EUR for dinner. 

You can only pay cash directly at the hut. I highly recommend writing them an email to book the room with half-boar. Once you’re there, ask them for dinner and breakfast time.

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

4. Day: Zbojnícka Chata ⇒ Popradské Pleso: Hut-to-Hut Hiking Slovakia, High Tatras

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

After, you’ll walk through the Tatra panoramic trail again. It is 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 favourite place on the entire planet, Batizovské Pleso. It is such a magical place, next to a lake, with beautiful views.

• Duration of the hike: 7 hours & 25 minutes
• Distance of the hike: 17.2 km
• Difficulty: More challenging at the beginning (before Sliezsky Dom), very easy at the end (after Sliezsky Dom)
• Route for today: Zbojnícka Chata ⇒ Prielom ⇒ Poľský Hrebeň ⇒ Sliezsky Dom ⇒ Batizovské Pleso ⇒ Chata pri Popradskom Plese
• Lunch options: at Sliezsky Dom

Detailed Info For The Hike

The first part of your hike is still more challenging. You’ll first have to ascend to Prielom Saddle. Once you get there, there is a nice hike before you start ascending to Poľský Hrebeň (Polish Peak). Then, you’ll descent all the way down 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 (my favourite place in High Tatras). After, you’ll walk all the way to the Sedlo pod Ostrvou (Saddle under the Ostrva). From there, you’ll already see your destination with a beautiful hut next to the lake – Popradske Pleso.

Finally, hike down and enjoy your last night in the Slovakian mountains, High Tatras. The second part of this hike from Sliezsky Dom is quite long, but it is also very easy. You’ll not ascend too much, so don’t worry about a long time.

If you want, you can also sleep at Sliezsky Dom. It is 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 (Hut At The Popradské Lake): 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.

In addition to the prices stated below, you’ll have to pay a tax fee, which is 1.5 EUR pp. per night.

• Overnight in a room with 8 beds with 1 bed: 20 EUR 
• Overnight in a room with 3 beds with 1 bed: 24 EUR 
• Standard accommodation (courtyard view) with 2 beds: 80 EUR per room
• Standard a. (courtyard view) with 3 beds: 110 EUR per room
• St. a. (courtyard view) with 4 beds: 135 EUR per room
• Superior accommodation (lake view) with 2 beds: 90 EUR per room
• Superior Plus accommodation (lake view) with 2 beds: 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 (min. number of persons 4)
• Bathtub: 8 EUR pp. per hour (min. number of persons 6)

5. Day: Popradské Pleso ⇒ Štrbské Pleso: Hut-To-Hut Hiking Slovakia, High Tatras

Good job, you’ve almost officially made the entire hut-to-hut hiking trail in the High Tatras. Today, you’ll only need to get to Štrbské Pleso, which is just an hour away from where you are.

• Duration of the hike: 1 hour
• Distance of the hike: 4.8 km
• Difficulty: Very easy
• Route for today: Chata pri Popradskom Plese ⇒ Štrbské Pleso
• Lunch options: at Štrbské Pleso

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

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

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.

More Tips For Traveling In Slovakia

This is the perfect 5-day itinerary for your hut-to-hut hiking Slovakia in the High Tatras. These mountains offer some of the best hiking trails in entire Slovakia, but also in Europe. You’ve now covered many of them. If you like to do 1-day hiking trails in High Tatras, check out my top 9 hiking trails in High Tatras and choose your perfect hike.

I highly recommend you see more of Slovakia since you’re here. Take my 8-day Slovakia road trip itinerary and see the highlights of this beautiful country. You’ll visit caves, traditional Slovakian villages, and shepherds’ houses, taste local food, and enjoy your time in the Slovakian Paradise.

In case you have less days, get my full itinerary with what to see in Slovakia in 3 days.

If you want to plan by yourself, check out my article about how many days in Slovakia you should spend with the top 10 travel tips for visiting the country.

Are you a castle lover? Slovakia has many of them that deserve to be visited. Check out my article about the top 6 fairy-tale castles in Slovakia, which you can visit after your hike. They’ll definitely take you back to medieval and even prehistoric times.

If you’ve already made this hut-to-hut hiking trail in the High Tatras, let me know in the comments below how you found it.