High Tatras HOME PAGE
The High Tatras national park is the most beautiful in Slovakia. The High Tatras became the country’s first national park in 1948 and includes the mountain chains of Belianske Tatry and Západné Tatry (Western Tatras), their length of 55 km making them one of the smallest mountain ranges of alpine character in Europe. The High Tatras national park has an area of 73,800 ha., with 30,703 ha forming a buffer zone, and penetrates into the districts of Liptovsky´ Mikulás, Poprad, Kezmarok and Tvrdosín. The highest summit of the High Tatras, and of the whole Carpathians, is Mt. Gerlachovsky´ stít, at 2655 m. whilst the symbolic national peak of Slovakia, also located in this national park, is Mt. Kriván 2495 m. high.
Almost two thirds of the national park are covered by forests, prevailingly spruce and fir-spruce. The dominant tree species is the spruce with a significant occurrence of Scots pine, Swiss pine, larch, and Swiss mountain pine. Deciduous forests – beech and maple growths - occur less frequently and mainly in the Belianske Tatry. The High Tatras are mostly granite, the Western Tatras mostly of crystalline slates and the Belianske Tatry mostly limestone. There are 110 lakes, or mountain tarns in the park, which have been formed in glacial kettles. The deepest tarn is Velké Hincovo pleso, with a maximum depth of 54 m. From among the park’s many waterfalls, the biggest is Kmetov waterfall, 80 m high. In the High Tatras area there are many karst formations, though the only cave accessible to the public here is Belianska jaskyna (1750 m long) with its fascinating stalactite-stalagmite decoration.
Flora and fauna. In the High Tatras national park, there are 1400 flora species, of which the most precious are Lady’s mantle and Euphrasia. The most interesting animals in the region include the chamois, golden eagle and marmot.
In terms of commercial tourism, the High Tatras is the most developed region in Slovakia offering the widest range of facilities for downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking and all-year-round recreation. There are health resorts here as well as the popular holiday resorts of Strbské Pleso, Stary´ Smokovec and Tatranská Lomnica.
Many interesting sport events are organized during the winter season in PARK SNOW Donovaly. Last season the biggest slope style snowboard show in Central Europe has been held, with the participation of the best snowboarders from all over the world. Due to the great interest of the competitors, even spectators, similar competitions are expected to take place in Donovaly regularly.

Downhill skiing and snowboarding fans can choose from a large number of ski resorts in the High Tatras, with a wide range of pistes for skiers of all abilities. Parents will appreciate the ski school services for children, offered during the whole winter season in Strbské Pleso.
The High Tatras have a dense network of well-marked hiking trails of various difficulty through the most beautiful Tatran valleys to villages, mountain lakes, scenic points and cultural sights. The longest trail (46.5 km) is called Tatranská magistrála (the Central Tatras Route), which runs parallel to the main ridge across the southern valleys and slopes offering views of the Low Tatras and beyond.
The Tatras are a paradise for rock climbers and mountaineers. The highest rocky wall is the 900 m northern wall on Mt. Maly´ Kezmarsky´ stít. Amongst climbers the most popular is the Galéria Ganku (Gallery of Mt. Gánok) route. In the Western Tatras the most famous peaks are Mt. Ostry´ Rohác and Mt. Placlivé. The gorge of Cerveny´ zlab pod Satanom, and other gorges nearby, are popular among ski-trekkers.