This is an easy hike on the Tatranská magistrála trail. It is also part of the educational trail Štrbské pleso – Popradské pleso – Hincovo pleso.
Starting at 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 the lake of Popradské pleso. In winter, follow the green trail from the junction.
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 Hincov creek. Continue to the trail junction above Popradské pleso. Then walk down the tarmac road for a while and have a snack in Chata pri Popradskom plese. It is the most visited chalet in the High Tatras and is open to tourists all year around. Another chalet, Majláthova chata, built 1879–1880, lies on the lake’s shore. It has been destroyed several times by fire and snow. In 2014, the chalet underwent reconstruction and was expanded.
Take in the spectacular view of the lake and surrounding mountains. The trail copies the shore all the way to the lake’s south-west tip. Then it turns right, and for a little while it runs next to a stream flowing out of the lake. Popradské pleso got its name from the Poprad River that runs through it. The lake covers 6.88 hectares and is 17 metres deep.
On your way back, visit the Symbolický cintorín (symbolic cemetery; 1,525 m above sea level). The cemetery in a pine grove honours all who died in the mountains. Warning – the yellow trail is closed from 1 November till 15 June.
To get to the symbolic cemetery from the lake of Popradské pleso, follow the yellow trail. Then return using the same trail or use another one. Cross a bridge over the stream and walk on the tarmac road leading down to the valley of Mengusovská dolina. The road runs mostly through a wooded area. Do not miss the view of surrounding peaks that can be seen occasionally between the trees or from clearings in the upper section of the road. The blue trail takes you to a crossroad above the Tatra Electric Railway station at Popradské pleso.
At the crossroad, turn right on the tarmac road that parallels the railway track. Walk up the moderate wooded hillside. When on the main road, walk down a little. Then follow the path along the north shore of Nové Štrbské pleso (1,315 m above sea level) to soon reach the Štrbské Pleso train station.
The price of the summer travel tickets for the cable car does not include insurance for Mountain Service interventions.
In the price of ski passes is included the insurance of the Mountain Rescue Service on marked ski slopes at the resort where ski passes are valid. The insurance is valid during the operating hours of the center and during the day of validity of the skipass.
TATRY Card holders automatically receive Generali free insurance.
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