From Štrbské Pleso to Chata pod Rysmi and back

This is an all-day hike in the High Tatras. It will take you through the valley of Mengusovská dolina pass the lake of Popradské pleso all the way to the chalet of Chata pod Rysmi.

Begin

From the Patria Hotel at Štrbské pleso, set out on the red waymarked trail called Tatranská magistrála. Cross the Mlynica creek and walk up through a forest all the way to the wooded Trigan peak (1,481 m above sea level). Then continue through sparse vegetation to Odbočka zimnej cesty (winter trail junction at 1,525 metres above sea level). Stay on the red trail. When covered with snow, this part of the trail is closed all the way to Popradské pleso. In winter, follow the green trail from the junction.

Popradské pleso

From the junction, the trail winds through a forest at first, and then it goes on through open terrain of the Patria mountainside to a bridge over the creek of Hincov potok. Continue to the trail junction of Rázcestie nad Popradským plesom. Then walk down the tarmac road for a while to Chata pri Popradskom plese.

Mengusovská dolina

Carry on up a forest path, then through the dwarf-pine zone to Mengusovská dolina, and all the way to the trail junction of Rázcestie nad Žabím potokom. Turn right here and start climbing up a steep stony path next to the enormous boulder called Hincova skala. Cross Žabí potok over a bridge, and weave your way through the many hairpin bends of the valley of Žabia dolina up to the striking, distinctive Wachterka Rock. Then enter the basin of Kotlina Žabích plies.

Chata pod Rysmi

The trail runs above the lake of Veľké Žabie pleso. On the right, in short, but steep bends, start climbing to the bottom of the rock wall. Then, using steps, traverse the wall to the flatter part on the right and walk all the way to the waterfall. During summer snow or black ice, it is a very dangerous stretch – we recommend using crampons or shoe covers!

From the valley of Dolinka pod Váhou, steep hairpin bends will take you up a rocky path to the chalet of Chata pod Rysmi. With a bit of luck, you will see chamois, or mountain porters in action on your way up.

Return

Take the same trail to get back to Štrbské Pleso. Be very careful while descending from the chalet. Carry on down to Mengusovská dolina and Popradské Pleso. From there, follow the red trail, via Trigan all the way to Štrbské Pleso.

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