SK: High Tatras – Hike Up the Popular Peak of Rysy

Rysy – nejnavštěvovanější vrch Tater

Rysy is undoubtedly the most popular and famous mountain of the High Tatras. They are a shield to which every lover of our mountain can feel. They reach 2 503 m above sea level and lie on the main ridge of High Tatras near the saddle Váha (2 337 m nm). They have two peaks - one on the Polish and the other on the Slovak side of the mountain range. Features are available for visitors to the tourist trails running from Slovakia as well as from Poland. Especially from the Polish side, this shield looks great and a respect-inspiring mountain with a high rock wall turning up steeply. They are a popular and frequent destination for tourists, traditionally the most visited hill of the High Tatras, which again - even in 2018 - confirmed the results of the census of tourists.

Start and End of the Hike

From the Slovak side, a hiking trail leading to Štrbské or Popradské Lakes leads to the peak of Rysy. In case we go from Strbske pleso to the trail we have to take into account its total length of 20 km with an altitude of 1 471 m and the expected time of departure and descent about 8 h. Getting Started on the "Before Helios" signpost, we turn to the red route and we aim this to the Popradsky Ball. We have a signpost above the Popradsky Ball, where we will join the blue trail. We climb slightly and after a while we come to the intersection of the route "Over the Frog Stream". Here we turn right onto the red trail, which is winding in a sloping hillside. After this stretch, we find ourselves in the basin of Zabi Lakes, surrounded by the tall rock walls of the Tatra giants. We walk around Frog's prom and the hiking trail leads us forward, directly to the high cliff. Passing through this section requires extra caution, for safety reasons it is secured by rope, ladders and chains. After overtaking this part of the route again, we climb steeply again and before us there are beautiful views of the Mengusovske valley, the Zabi Lakes and the ridge of Bast

To the Cabin On Rysy's Foothills

The trail leads us constantly upwards with a steady climb, opposite the huge wall of the High Hill (2547 m above sea level). We walk past the Cabin under Rysy (2 250 m above sea level), the highest altitude cottage in the Tatras, until we finally enter the saddle Váha (2 337 m above sea level) from which we can see charming views of the Hard Valley. Continue on and continue to the final climb to the top of the Rys. Initially, the terrain is still viable, but later the trail turns abruptly upwards and leads us steeply up the steep rocky terrain. Finally, we overcome this last stretch and overcome the peak of the most popular Tatra pyramidal peak.

Na vrcholu

From a height of 2,503 meters above sea level, we can see beautiful and monumental views of the vast alpine landscape. On the Polish side, the valley of Rybiego Potok spreads with the boulders Morskie Oko and Czarny Staw under Rysami, in front of us, we see the nearby massif of Little Rys (2 430 m above sea level). Facing the east, we will be stunned by the view of the deep valleys of the Heavy Valley, behind which the stern of the Bielovodska valley spreads. In the foreground, we admire the Gang massif or sharp contours of the rugged ridge Koruna Vysoké. We recognize the heights of Krivan, Koprovsky Pyramidal Peak, Satan, Lomnický Shield, Eastern High and Havran and Ždiar Forks in heights.

This climb is one of the most demanding day hikes. Yet it is a valuable reward for every tourist is spectacular and unimaginably beautiful panoramic views. Features are a concept, leaving you a deep and powerful experience.

GPS: 49°10'46.6"N 20°05'17.0"E

Text and photos: Radoslav Biskupič