Important Telephone Numbers
Telephone Area Code: +421 52 (052) SOS rescue number (First Aid, Police, Fire protection): 112 Mountain rescue service: 18 300 (nonstop) Helicopter Emergency Medical Service: 18 155 Cableways operation: (+421) 903 11 22 00 Bus info, Poprad: (+421) 52/ 772 95 84 Airport Poprad-Tatry: (+421) 52/ 776 38 75 www.airport-poprad.sk Tourist information centres
Cover photo: Shutterstock
Contents Must see places
6
From history of High Tatras
8
Attractions and trips
11, 14, 19, 22, 24
Map of Poprad
30-31
Map of High Tatras
32-33
Tatranská informačná kancelária, Tatranská Lomnica: (+421) 52/ 446 81 19 Infocentrum Tatranská Lomnica: (+421) 903 112 200 Tatranská informačná kancelária, Starý Smokovec: (+421) 52/ 442 34 40 Infocentrum Štrbské Pleso: (+421) 917 682 260 Turistické informačná kancelária Štrbské Pleso: (+421) 911 333 466 Mestská informačná kancelária MIK Poprad: (+421) 52/ 16 186
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Štrbské pleso
Belianska Cave
TANAP Museum
On a pleasant walk, through instructional panels you can also get to know a rich history and the surrounding nature of Štrbské Pleso, which is located in the village of the same name, directly on the spot.
In 1882 they opened the Belianska Cave. Not far away, town Spišská Belá, in village territory of which the cave is located, has built several buildings that created the foundation of Tatran’s Kotlina.
In 1948 the Tatra National Park was established in the High Tatras and Belianske Tatras and after a decade the TANAP Museum was established, where a visitor can learn more about its nature.
Nový Smokovec
Dolný Smokovec
Ski Museum
A pioneer of climatic treatment in the High Tatras was Dr. Mikuláš Szontagh St., who laid the foundations of the spa settlement Nový Smokovec in 1876. The original spa buildings still serve their purpose nowadays.
The Tatra settlements, which were built in the late 19th century, had a typical architecture of the covered buildings. Their designer was Gedeon Majunke from Spišská Sobota. Most of these buildings had been preserved in Dolný Smokovec.
At the beginning of the 20th century, a high development of winter sports took place in the High Tatras. Especially popular were sleighs, bobsleighs and skis. Many exhibits on this theme can be seen in the Ski Museum in Tatranska Lomnica.
Smokovecká Kyselka
Vila Flóra
Memorial in Starý Smokovec
Smokovec acidulous mineral water was known even before the establishment of the oldest Tatra settlement. In 1793, Earl Stefan Csáky build a cottage near the acidulous water, which became the foundation of settlement and tourism in the High Tatras.
Vila Flóra in Starý Smokovec is one of the oldest preserved buildings in the High Tatras. The peculiarity is that they brought her here in 1839 from Kvetnice. Nowadays there are exhibition areas of the Tatra Gallery.
In 2005, an unusual monument commemorating the whirlwind, which overtook the Tatra Mountains on November 19 in 2004, claimed one victim and left a great deal of damage especially on the forest cover, was built in Starý Smokovec.
In the 16th century, first visitors who we would call tourists today, came to the High Tatras. In the 18th century, first foreign travellers and scientists became interested in the High Tatras. They were coming by saddle horses, men of wealth by carriages, but there were also those who came by walking. There were only the paths which were formed by generations of hunters, herbalists and treasure hunters that led from the Tatras’ villages to Tatras’ forests. Economic roads also led to some workplaces of coalmen, lumberjacks and miners. Several valleys were “made accessible” by paths formed by flocks of sheep and cattle, which were driven out of Tatras‘ villages to pens on summer pasture.
Even in those places where cosy guesthouses and comfortable hotels stand nowadays, the old tourists camped by the burning bonfires and under the protection of temporary shelters. A possibility of overnight stay in a shepherd’s hut or in a mining tunnel was a welcomed opporttunity. In the 18th and 19th centuries, almost all state and landowner lodges had set up a room for guests as well.
From the history of the High Tatras In December 1871, the first train arrived in Poprad on the newly built railway line. At that time, the only Tatras settlement - Starý Smokovec, could not satisfy (in capacity) a larger number of people interested in staying in the mountains, so other settlements were created under the southern slopes of the High Tatras. Their main mission was climate therapy, spa and to serve as a tourist starting points to the Tatra valleys and peaks. Individual Tatra settlements gradually gained their road, and in the case of Tatranská Lomnica, Štrbské Pleso and Starý Smokovec also railway connections. The settlements are connected to each other from Podbanské to Tatranská Kotlina by Path of Freedom and from Tatranská Lomnica to Štrbské Pleso by Tatra Electric Railway.
Earl Štefan Csáky (17411810) from Iliašovce by Spišská Nová Ves was thinking otherwise. In 1793, on family estates under the Slavkovský peak, by acid springs, he built a simple hunting lodge. There was a huge interest
in accommodation, so in the following years, additional log cabins and chapel were added. By doing so, Earl Csáky laid the foundation for the development of the first Tatra settlement - Starý Smokovec.
In connection with World Championships in classic ski disciplines in 1970, the Tatra settlements had undergone a building development and became important centres for tourism and tourist industry. Since 1947, they form one territorial unit – High Tatras Town.
ATTRACTIONS AND TRIPS
foto: Marek Hajkovský
To Skalnate tarn by cablecar Visit the most popular tourist destination - Skalnaté pleso (tarn) at the altitude of 1,751 metres. The area around the tarn is tailor-made for pleasant walks or hiking trips. Kids will love it there. They can frolic in the Marmot country – an eco-mini-park with wooden sculptures, a little marmot chalet, climbing frames and much more. There is an astronomical and meteorological observatory near Skalnate tarn at the altitude of 1,786 metres.
To Lomnicky peak by suspended cablecar
foto: Marek Hajkovský
Make a trip to the second highest peak of the High Tatras - Lomnicky peak (Lomnický štít). Get above the clouds and enjoy unforgettable views of surrounding peaks of the smallest grand mountains in the world. Enter the kingdom of silence and relax in the stylish caféteria.
foto: Marek Hajkovský
To Soliskto by chairlift Come to one of the lowest and easiest accessible peaks of the High Tatras. Mt.Predné Solisko, located on the southern edge of the mountain range at the altitude of 2,093 m, offers a beautiful view of the valleys Mlynická and Furkotská dolina.
Hrebienok (1,285m) is a very popular tourist destination in the High Tatras. The oldest tourist centre Starý Smokovec is a significant crossing station of the town of Vysoké Tatry. From the settlement of Starý Smokovec one can easily get to Hrebienok – a starting point for several tourist trails.
foto: Marek Hajkovský
To Hrebienok by ground funicular
ATTRACTIONS AND TRIPS
To Hrebienok by ground funicular foto: Marek Hajkovský
Hrebienok (1,285m) is a very popular tourist destination in the High Tatras. The oldest tourist centre Starý Smokovec is a significant crossing station of the town of Vysoké Tatry. From the settlement of Starý Smokovec one can easily get to Hrebienok – a starting point for several tourist trails.
Hiking foto: Marek Hajkovský
Around 1.3 million of visitors come to the region of the High Tatras during the summer, to relax and recharge their batteries in this beautiful area for one or more days. The High Tatras offer various possibilities for active relaxation with easy or difficult hiking tracks.
foto: Marek Hajkovský
Mini Funpark The Mini Fun Park in Starý Smokovec offers family fun and relaxation. Park is ideal for spending time while waiting and recharging your batteries before your adventurous trip to the High Tatras.
ATTRACTIONS AND TRIPS Summer tubing
foto: Marek Hajkovský
Do you want to feel adrenaline with a wild ride on a tyre? Don´t hesitate. Come to Hrebienok and ride down the 100 metre-long tobbogan. Enjoy a whole day full of great fun. A new exciting ride with banked curves for all age groups!
Mountain cart and scooter
foto: Marek Hajkovský
foto: Marek Hajkovský
Mountain carts are motorless threewheelers which guarantee adrenalin fun for all family members. It is a popular summer outdoor attraction of top-class alpine resorts designated for all generations and can be adapted to any type of riders, even complete beginners.
ATTRACTIONS AND TRIPS Tricklandia TrickLandia is the place where you will experience a unique journey through Slovakia in a gallery of trick-art and optical illusions. In its premises you can find the sights of Slovak folk tales, fairytales as well as the history of the villages and chateaux of Slovakia. It is spread over an area of 500 m2 with 24 attractions. They contain 15 trick-art images, expanded reality, antigravity rooms, the most beautiful mirror maze in Central Europe and others.
Summer tubing Belianska cave
Do you want to feel adrenaline with a wild ride on a tyre? Don´t hesitate. Come to Hrebienok and ride down the 100 metre-long tobbogan. Enjoy a whole day full of great fun. A new exciting ride with banked curves for all age groups!
Aquacity Poprad Waterpark Water world under the High Tatras, offers 9 outdoor and indoor thermal and relaxation pools, 350 water attractions, 3 outdoor swimming pools with whirlpools and water attractions, indoor relaxation pools with chromotherapy and evening 3D Laser show, luxurious indoor pools with beverage bars, children’s pool Treasure Island, 50m swimming pool and steam sauna.
foto: Marek Hajkovský
The Belianska Cave belongs among the most visited show caves in Slovakia. Except for bizarre rocky shapes, it is known by rich occurrence of calcite fills. Though the interest in natural attractions of the cave have been persisting for 125 years, the rules of its forming are not entirely clear by now.
ATTRACTIONS AND TRIPS Boating on Štrbské Pleso
foto: Marek Hajkovský
The tradition of boating on tarns of Štrbské pleso and Nové Štrbské pleso is more than 130 years old. The boating on Štrbské pleso was restored on 5th July 2008, after 25 years. The tarn was “unlocked” and you can thus admire a beautiful view of Mt. Solisko and enjoy the calm surface of this unique tarn. It was even trying to become one of the seven new wonders of the world.
Cycling trails in the High Tatras foto: Marek Hajkovský
You don’t feel like walking to the top of mountains? But you still want to see the beauty of he surrounding nature? Take a bike and make the best bike trip ever!
foto: TMR
Natural botanical garden The State Forests of the Tatra National Park opened the highest located botanical garden in Slovakia. The High Tatras off er unforgettable moments and magical views also during the summer season. Besides lots of attractions and events, tourists can enjoy the beauty and aroma of Tatra plans on top of Mt. Lomnický štít at the altitude of 2,634 metres.