River Biela - Belanská - Slovakia
The river sources near to the community of Ždiar, by connection of several brooks.
21 km
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SK: Belianske Tatras – Crossin Siroke Seat
Siroke Seat – Hiking on the Belianske Tatra's Main Ridge
The region of the Belianske Tatras belongs to the Eastern Tatras mountains The main ridge of the former runs in the northwestern direction along the eastern slopes of the High Tatras. Unlike the High Tatras, this mountain range consists of the Mesozoic limes and dolomites. Thus the light grey color of the exposed and rocky areas visible in these mountains. This makes characteristic features of these mountains. There are chamois usually to be seen as they pasture on steep slopes or observe their surroundings on rocky elevations. Havran (2152 m) is a massive mountain which is the main summit of the Belianske Tatras. However, Vysne Kopske seat (1934 m) is easier for tourists to access. Visitors can access the main ridge of the lime mountains through Siroke Seat area. At the altitude of 1825 there runs a red tourist trails through which the tourists can cross the Belianske Tatras.
Across Monkova Valley
Two marked tourist trails run to the main ridge. One of the trails follows the northern slope (starting at Zdiar town), crosses Monkova valley and reaches the ridge in Siroke klippe. The other trail goes in the southeast. It starts off either at the direction board by Velke Bile lake or at Kopske klippe. We decided for the first starting point. Our trek began in Zdiar, a town by the Tatra mountains. Right at the crossroads "Zdiar, Tatra" by the main road we get on a red tourist trail. First we walk on asphalt, later we follow a forest pathway. Ahead, there are silhouettes of two famous summits of the Belianske Tatras – Havran and Zdiarske Vidle. We follow the Rigelsky rivulet in the direction to Monkova dolina direction board. The path goes slowly uphill through mixed forest. The terrain is uneven, sometimes rocky. However, we are still gaining some attitude and the vistas over Monkova valley are ever amazing. In front of us, steep klippe of Lastovica. Down in the valley, there are small houses of Zdiar town. Gradually, we are passing the upper line of the forest. Siroky Uplaz is a locality through which we reached the alpine terrain. Eventually, we reach the point of interest on the main ridge of the Belianske Tatras. At the altitude of 1825 meters we reach Siroke Seat.
In the Siroke Seat
The Siroke Seat is like a border between two world. When looking northeast you can recognize the town of Zdiar. Further away th silhouettes of the Pieninsky National Park are recognizable. When looking westwards, there is a long and vast valley of Zadni Medodoly. The northern edge of the valley is lined by the unconquerable peaks of the Belianske Tatry. Ahead of us, there are massive lime gorges of Zdiarska Vidla (2142 m). We enjoyed an amazing vista over the High Tatras in Slovakia and also their Polish projection. A group of chamois was eating grass on one of the slopes. When we got some rest we continued along the red trail. Upon 15 minutes of walk we reached Vysne Kopske Klippe (1934 m). There we got splendid vista over the Jahnaci Pyramidal Peak (2230 m). The eastern slope opens the vista over Predni Medodoly valley and the indented ridge of the Belianske Tatras.
The Belianske Tatry are accessible only via several marked tourist trailes. The localities situated at higher altitudes are usually the most popular, we talk about Siroke and Vysne Kopske seats. These klippes are the most beautiful of tourist points of interest in the Belienske Tatry. There we could fully enjoy the great vistas over the valleys of the Tatras or high mountains around.
GPS: 49°16'07.3"N 20°15'54.0"E (the town of Zdiar)
Text and photos: Radoslav Biskupič