From Štrbské Pleso to Rysy and back

The most popular hike in the High Tatras. This rather difficult climb will reward you with spectacular views. Rysy lies on the Slovak-Polish border and has three peaks. Climbing up Rysy is definitely worth the effort. However, prepare for the climb well because it really is physically demanding.

Begin

Start at the Patria Hotel at the lake of Štrbské pleso and follow the red trail of Tatranská magistrála. Cross a bridge over the Mlynica Creek and walk up through the forest all the way to the wooded Trigan peak (1,481 m above sea level). Continue through sparse vegetation to Odbočka zimnej cesty (winter trail junction at 1,525 metres above sea level) and 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. Follow the green trail from the junction in winter.

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 to the chalet of Chata pri Popradskom plese.

Mengusovská dolina

Carry on up the forest path, then through the dwarf-pine zone to the valley of Mengusovská dolina, all the way to the trail junction of Rázcestie nad Žabím potokom. Turn right there 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 the 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.

Climb to the top

From the chalet, follow the long hairpin bend on the left side of the small valley. At its end the hairpin bends get very steep and lead you to the saddle of Váh (2,337 m above sea level). From the saddle walk to the left from the south-west mountainside of Rysy, and then slightly up in bends to the rib. On the other side, several metres down, walk under the south-west peak and the main peak. Finally, climb up steep hairpin bends to the top of the north-west peak. It is part of the main High Tatras ridge, and it offers amazing panoramic views of the mountain range. The highest mountain in the High Tatras is Gerlachovský štít with its 2,654 metres above sea level. On the Polish side, the largest lake of the mountain range – Modré oko lies at an altitude of 1,583 metres above sea level.

Return

When descending, be very careful and walk at your own pace. To get back to Štrbské Pleso, follow the same trail. 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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