Winter hiking
Hiking trails in the Tatras are open in winter only as far as the mountain huts. There’s still plenty to experience: frozen waterfalls, tea in a hut at 2,000 metres, or a stroll around a snow-covered mountain lake. A cable car takes you up and back down to the valley, saving you the climb and your knees.
A seasonal closure applies in the Tatra National Park (TANAP) from 1 November to 31 May. Walking is permitted only as far as the high-mountain huts. Peaks, passes and higher-lying trails are closed, and breaking the ban carries a fine. Chata pod Rysmi is closed in winter, while the other huts stay open all year. The exception is the climb to Predné Solisko, which is allowed in winter too. The interactive TANAP map shows which sections are open.
Hrebienok
The funicular from Starý Smokovec gets you to Hrebienok in a few minutes. From there, paths lead to the Studený potok waterfalls and to Rainerova chata, Zamkovského chata, Téryho chata and Zbojnícka chata. If you’d rather walk the whole way, it takes about 45 minutes from Starý Smokovec to Hrebienok.
Skalnaté pleso
The cable car from Tatranská Lomnica lifts you to 1,751 m above sea level. Skalnatá chata stands by the lake. From here you can follow the Tatranská magistrála trail to Zamkovského chata and on down to Hrebienok.
Štrbské Pleso
A flat path runs around the lake and is fine with a pushchair. The cable car up Solisko takes you to Chata pod Soliskom, where the climb to Predné Solisko is open in winter. You can also walk from here to Popradské pleso.
Easy walks for little legs and older walkers
easy| Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
HrebienokBilíkova chata | 10 minone way | Lunch or a bowl of soup just beyond the funicular |
HrebienokStudený Potok WaterfallsRainerova chataHrebienok | about 1 h 15 minloop | Frozen waterfalls, plus a tiny museum of mountain porters at Rainerova chata |
Around Štrbské Pleso | about 45 minloop | Flat going, fine with a pushchair |
Skalnaté PlesoSkalnatá chata | 5 minfrom the cable car | View of Lomnický štít |
Half-day hikes
moderate| Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
HrebienokZamkovského chata | about 1 hone way | The lowest-lying high-mountain hut, at 1,475 m above sea level |
HrebienokZamkovského chataSkalnaté Pleso | about 2 hone way | Cable car back down to Tatranská Lomnica |
Štrbské PlesoPopradské Pleso | about 1 h 15 minone way | The Symbolic Cemetery is open until 15 December |
Štrbské PlesoChata pod Soliskom | about 1 hone way | Or take the chairlift |
Tatranská PoliankaSliezsky dom | about 2 h 30 minone way | Follows the road, no technical sections |
Biela vodaChata pri Zelenom plese | about 2 h 30 minone way | No lift involved, easy to reach from Tatranská Lomnica |
Challenging hikes (winter equipment essential)
challenging| Route | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
HrebienokTéryho chata | about 3 hone way | The highest hut open all year round, at 2,015 m above sea level Avalanche terrain |
HrebienokZbojnícka chata | about 3 hone way | 1,960 m above sea level, in Veľká Studená dolina Avalanche terrain |
Chata pod SoliskomPredné Solisko | about 45 minone way | The only summit open in winter |
Times are approximate and assume a dry path. Allow extra time in snow.
Before you set off
For icy paths, take microspikes at the very least; for Téryho chata and Zbojnícka chata, crampons and trekking poles. Winter days are short, so leave yourself a time buffer for the way down and pack a head torch. Trails are marked with poles in winter, but in fog or a gale they are easy to lose sight of. Before heading into the higher valleys, check the avalanche forecast at hzs.sk. Huts sometimes close for a few days for maintenance, so it’s worth checking their website or social media.
In an emergency, call the Mountain Rescue Service on 18 300 or 112.
Dogs are allowed in winter only in designated areas. Find out more on the page Dogs in the Tatras.
Stay with us
Cable cars and water parks included in the price
Experience unforgettable moments at our mountain hotels. Enjoy the comfort of our modern rooms, relax in wellness centres and savour gourmet specialities in our hotel restaurants. We will surprise you with our personalised approach and excellent locations close to the main tourist attractions in the High Tatras. Book today and treat yourself to a holiday full of comfort and relaxation.
Grandhotel Praha****, Tatranská Lomnica
Grandhotel Praha has been writing its lavish Tatra history since 1905. Built in the Art Nouveau style, the hotel carries you back to the Tatras of another era. It has 108 rooms and 15 apartments in Tatranská Lomnica.
Grandhotel **** Starý Smokovec
One of the landmark hotels of the High Tatras since 1904. It stands beneath Slavkovský Peak in the centre of Starý Smokovec and has hosted many notable guests over the years. Right next to the Hrebienok funicular station, it’s a handy base for hiking and winter sports.
Hotel FIS***
Hotel FIS*** is a hotel and sports complex in the High Tatras, directly beneath the peaks at 1,346 m above sea level. Athletes get the best conditions for serious training here, and everyone else gets real peace and quiet in the heart of Slovakia’s mountains.
A Night on Lomnický Peak
A night on Lomnický Peak, 2,634 m above sea level. Once the last cable car has gone down, all that’s left is silence, a sky full of stars and a panorama of the Tatras. The stay includes the cable car ride up, a candlelit dinner and a night in the highest room in Central Europe. In the morning: sunrise and breakfast with a panoramic view.
Apartmány Horec
Apartmány Horec combine comfort with the calm of Tatra nature. Set beside a small stream, they stand out for their original architecture. The fully equipped apartments come with a kitchenette, Nespresso machine and ski room. The location is excellent: just 300 m from the ski slopes and close to the cable car to Skalnaté Pleso and Lomnický Peak.
Horská ubytovňa Hrebienok
Horská ubytovňa Hrebienok sits right above the top station of the funicular in Starý Smokovec. A cosy mountain lodge with a proper alpine atmosphere, it’s a good starting point for hiking in both summer and winter.