Tatras Mountains in winter, Slovakia. Photo: Host/Slovakation
4.9
| 117 reviews

Hike Slovakia's High Tatras Mountains in a Weekend: The Winter Edition

Slovakia
3 nights
Moderate

A proper winter hiking adventure among alpine lakes, snow-capped peaks and remote valleys – topped off with a soak in thermal baths

What's Included?

Activities & Certified Guides

All itinerary activities with experienced, friendly, English-speaking guides

Hotel

3 nights in a family run hotel in Stary Smokovec

Meals

Expect continental breakfasts and traditional dinners

Transfers

Transfers to and from the airport and everything in between

Equipment

All your winter walking equipment will be taken care of

Small Like-minded Groups

Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 8 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people
From

…

excluding flights

What's it like?

4.9
| 117 reviews
Tatratea and sympathy (for my blisters)
March 2024
Alison H.
Tatratea and sympathy (for my blisters)
March 2024
Alison H.
Tatratea and sympathy (for my blisters)
March 2024
Alison H.
Tatratea and sympathy (for my blisters)
March 2024
Alison H.
Fantastic!
March 2024
Adam C.
Fantastic!
March 2024
Adam C.
Fantastic!
March 2024
Adam C.
Fantastic!
March 2024
Adam C.
Fantastic!
March 2024
Adam C.
Fantastic!
March 2024
Adam C.
Fantastic!
March 2024
Adam C.
Fantastic!
March 2024
Adam C.
Fantastic!
March 2024
Adam C.
Highly recommended
March 2024
Craig C.
Highly recommended
March 2024
Craig C.
Highly recommended
March 2024
Craig C.
Highly recommended
March 2024
Craig C.
Fantastic Trip - Highly Recommend
March 2024
Jack G.
Fantastic Trip - Highly Recommend
March 2024
Jack G.
Wonderful time spent in the
March 2024
JENNY P.
So good!
March 2024
Morwenna B.
So good!
March 2024
Morwenna B.
So good!
March 2024
Morwenna B.
So good!
March 2024
Morwenna B.
So good!
March 2024
Morwenna B.
So good!
March 2024
Morwenna B.
So good!
March 2024
Morwenna B.
So good!
March 2024
Morwenna B.
So good!
March 2024
Morwenna B.
So good!
March 2024
Morwenna B.

Trek your way through the spellbinding High Tatras in winter - 78km of unspoilt mountains with the views to match

Traverse untracked powder and verdant pine forests in Slovakia’s remote backcountry over a long weekend

Soak your aches away in the revitalising, steamy waters of one of the region's natural thermal springs

Key Information

Day 1

The High Tatras

Tatras Mountains in winter, Slovakia. Photo: Host/Slovakation

Travel into the High Tatras Mountains that separate Slovakia and Poland and head for the lovely alpine village of Stary Smokovec, where you’ll get a warm reception at the friendly, family-run hotel you’ll be staying in. After settling into your room, head down to meet your travelling companions over dinner and relax into the holiday rhythm.

Day 2

Hike to the Green Lake

Tatras Mountains in winter, Slovakia. Photo: Host/Slovakation

Hiking

6hrs · 16km · 700m up · 700m down

Climb to the remote, vivid turquoise waters of the aptly named Green Lake, 1545 metres above sea level - a particularly magical location in winter. After exploring the shoreline and grabbing some hard to believe photos, relax in a landscape of snow-capped peaks, wildflower meadows and rolling green pine forest. As this trip strikes that all-important balance between adventure and relaxation, balance out your day with some serious sauna and jacuzzi time back in the village.

Day 3

Winter hiking to Velicke Lake

Tatras Mountains in winter, Slovakia. Photo: Host/Slovakation

Hiking

6hrs · 13km · 500m up · 500m down

Today you'll be hiking into the winter wonderland that is the High Tatras Mountains. Relaxation earned, soak in a natural thermal pool and let your worries (and muscle knots) fade away.

Day 4

A last hike before home

Tatras Mountains in winter, Slovakia. Photo: Host/Slovakation

Hiking

4hrs · 10km · 300m up · 300m down

Starting at lovely Lake Strbske Pleso, you’ll hike through the ridiculously picturesque Mengusovska Valley - a lost world of jagged peaks, dramatic rock faces and verdant forest, ending at the glistening Lake Popradske. Then, after four days of adventure and relaxation, it’s time to head home refreshed and revitalised.

Day 1

Hotel · Twin or triple share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2 – Day 3

Hotel · Twin or triple share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 4

Departure day

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

For breakfast, expect a continental buffet with a little bit of everything. For lunch, you will stop in mountain huts and small hotels. Expect hearty meals of sauerkraut, tomato, bean or lentil soups, schnitzels or goulash. One of the soups is always vegetarian, however, a vegan diet is difficult to cater to, so we recommend you bring a packed lunch or ingredients from a local shop, just in case. For dinner, expect a 3 course meal of soup, a main meal and dessert.

What is the accommodation like?

High Tatras Mountains

You'll be staying in a friendly, family run Penzion Lomnicky hotel in the village of Stara Lesna. The hotel is beautifully presented with a modern twist on traditional Slovakian style. All rooms are en-suite and come with WiFi, towels and a hairdryer.

Upgrades

For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).

This trip has been rated as Moderate

To enjoy this trek you need to be reasonably fit, but if you hike, bike or run every now and then, you should manage it without any major problems. Previous mountaineering experience isn’t required as you are not going to walk in difficult and exposed places, however, you will be walking with crampons and shown how to use these effectively.

On any winter hike in a high mountain environment, you will potentially encounter high winds, rain, snow, ice and steep slopes. The Tatras Mountains are no different and you should be prepared to face these conditions. Temperatures can get as low as -20°C so multiple warm layers are necessary.

The Area

map

Logistics

Starts

Krakow John Paul II International Airport, Poland

Arrive by 16:30 on Day 1

Ends

Krakow John Paul II International Airport, Poland

16:00 on Day 4

Transfers

Your host will pick you up at the airport at 16:30 on Day 1. You'll arrive back at the airport around 16:00 on Day 4, so if departing that evening, book any flight that leaves on or after 17:55.

Travel options

There are regular flights to Kraków from major airports across the UK and Europe.

Your group arrival and departure transfers are long (150km/approximately 3 hours) and include a border crossing. For this reason, private transfers are not usually offered by your host as the cost is prohibitive and you are encouraged to join the group arrival/departure transfers.

As the first and last day of your adventure are full days and the traffic between Kraków Airport and the city is usually heavy, it is not possible to be picked up or dropped off at a city hotel. However, public transport between the city and the airport is good. There is a train that leaves once or twice per hour, this takes 17minutes and is very economical.

Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear

In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.

What do I need to bring?

  • Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with ankle support
  • Hiking jacket: short, thin, breathable and waterproof.
  • Lots of layers: e.g.base layer, long sleeve shirt, fleece, downjacket/warm sweater.
  • Snow/Mud gaiters
  • Backpack for carrying personal items
  • Swimsuit for thermal baths
  • Gloves, hat, scarf
  • Sun glasses or even ski goggles.
  • Trekking poles (optional but recommended)
  • Ear plugs (to sleep tight)
  • Personal Toiletries (shower gel, shampoo)
*Requests for optional extras can be made after booking on your “My Bookings” page

Private Room Upgrade

Payable Before Departure

Private Room Upgrade

… Per Person

Nicholas R.(April 2024)
We had a great time

We had a great time in the High Tatras, all 3 hikes were manageable for those that go hiking. The hikes were along good trails, through forests and opening up into impressive valleys, with a tasty lunch at mountain huts. The sauna in the hotel and then the geothermal bath after the 1st and 2nd days were very relaxing. Our guide, Andy, was excellent, ensured we all had a great time, on and off the mountain. A perfect multi-day hiking trip.

Jennifer N.(April 2024)
Snow and cottage tea

Martin and Tom were wonderful hosts. They shared as much history and information as possible about Slovakia and Tom found an amazing honey cake for a group members birthday. They adapted the route to suit the group and avoid busy routes with other hikers so we saw very beautiful unspoilt snow. The cottage tea at lunch times is a must. MBA doesn’t state in the listing that you can arrange to loan poles from Tom on arrival so do ask in advance if you want/need to. I would 100% recommend this trip to anyone.

Alison H.(March 2024)
Tatratea and sympathy (for my blisters)
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