Vysoké Tatry (High Tatra) - Slovakia

Extent: 74111 ha

In north part of Slovakia, along borders with Poland, in districts of Kežmarok, Liptovský Mikuláš, Poprad and Tvrdošín, there is situated mountain range of special character – High Tatra. It belongs, together with Belianske Tatra, to complex of East Tatra Mountains.

Highest peak: Gerlachovka (2655 m).

Surface: it is formed with dense forests, pine woods. In higher sites, there are to be found dwarfish pine woods, plough-tails and lichens. Alp-meadows are located in places where the trees are missing.

Climate: mostly cold, 0 Celsius degrees. The snow remains on surface nearly all year round, on some places does not thaw at all.

Mountain nucleus is formed with granites and crystalic slates, on surface with limestones and sandstones, with appearance of quartz.

Mountain relief is very rough, including steep shields and combs.

We find here caves with karst appearances, waterfalls, lakes (plesa), healing springs, rare plants and many animals, in form of great mammalia.

High Tatra Mountains were declared as Tatra National Park in 1948. Later, in 1993, declared as biospherical reservation within scope of international UNESCO programme.

Predni Solisko in the Tatra National Park is one of the few summits accessible to tourist throghout the year. This summit makes the edge of the Solisko ridge. The mountain rises up to 1 117 m and is a popular point of interest of many tourist treks in winter. The hiking route follows a marked tourist trail which starts at Strbske Pleso, then it crosses ski resort and continues uphill to Pod Soliskem Cabin. Eventually it gets you to the final climb up the summit. The mountain offers particularly amazing vista on its very top – Podtatranska basin, the Low Tatras, or Mlynicka and Furtkotska valley.

Text and photos: Radoslav Biskupič