April 19, 2025, 12:17 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Whether extensive hiking tours or speedy downhill runs—the Alps are a paradise for all sports enthusiasts and nature lovers. However, mass tourism is also responsible for considerable visitor numbers and prices in this popular vacation region. TRAVELBOOK presents an equally beautiful alternative that can easily keep up with the competition.
Rugged peaks, clear mountain lakes, and breathtaking natural landscapes—the Tatra Mountains, also known as the “Little Alps”—are still a hidden gem and are ideal for anyone looking for a less expensive and less crowded mountain vacation.
Overview
The Tatra Mountains—the “Little Sister” of the Alps
The Tatra Mountains are the highest part of the Carpathian Mountains and stretch across Slovakia and Poland. Even if it cannot compete with the Alps in terms of area, it still impresses with its imposing high mountain landscape. It is not only winter sports fans who will get their money’s worth here. With its steep peaks and deep valleys, the Tatra Mountains offer numerous routes that will delight hikers and mountain bikers alike. The flora and fauna are also impressive: clear mountain lakes and lush flora—including breathtaking mountain panoramas.
Ždiar—a Mountain Village for Tyrol Fans
A picturesque mountain backdrop reminiscent of the Tyrolean Alps can be found in Ždiar in the Prešov region near the Polish border. The mountain village lies at an altitude of around 1000 meters in the middle of the Bela Tatras, a lesser-known but impressive part of the mountains. What makes Ždiar so special are the numerous traditional wooden houses, which resemble rustic mountain huts in Switzerland. The surrounding area is ideal for hiking tours through valleys and meadows. In winter, the Strednica ski resort offers an inexpensive and less crowded alternative to the large winter sports resorts. A ski pass here costs 44 euros per day in the high season.
Tatranská Lomnica—Skiing Like in Zermatt
Tatranská Lomnica offers a good dose of alpine feeling. The ski resort is one of the highest in Slovakia and, with its modern lifts and steep pistes, is similar to the ski resorts in Zermatt and Berchtesgadener Land. In the winter months, skiers and snowboarders can let off steam on various slopes. Those looking for the ultimate thrill can venture onto the highest and steepest slope in Slovakia according to the “Tatry Region“—the descent in the Lomnické sedlo mountain saddle at over 2190 meters above sea level. The cable car, which runs from Tatranská Lomnica to the Lomnické peak in three stages, offers an impressive view.
Sea Eye—A Picturesque Mountain Lake
Just as special as its name is the Morskie Oko, known as the “Sea Eye” or the “Eye of the Tatras”. The highest mountain lake in the Tatras lies at an altitude of 1395 meters and fascinates with its turquoise blue water, which is reminiscent of the Königssee in Berchtesgaden. Due to its clear water and lush nature, the lake was named one of the most beautiful lakes in the world by the Wall Street Journal in 2014. The lake can only be reached on foot via a well-maintained hiking trail. Alternatively, you can cover the first half of the route in a horse-drawn carriage.
Rysy—the Highest Peak in Poland
If you want to undertake a hike reminiscent of the ascent to the Zugspitze, you should make your way to the highest peak in Poland. The 2501-metre-high Rysy, also known as Meeraugspitze, is located in the High Tatras, on the border between Poland and Slovakia. The mountain can be ascended in three stages from both the Polish and Slovak sides. Similar to the challenging Höllental on the way to the Zugspitze, the ascent to Rysy should not be underestimated. Therefore, the route is recommended only for experienced hikers, as noted by “VisitmaPolska.”
Dolina Kościeliska—Rustic Mountain Valley
With its dense forests, limestone cliffs, and historical monuments, the Kościeliska Valley is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Tatra Mountains according to “Zakopane“—and is reminiscent of the idyllic Berchtesgadener Land. Fascinating caves can also be explored here as part of hiking tours, including the Jaskinia Mroźna ice cave and the Raptawicka cave. Away from the tourist crowds, the valley offers ideal conditions for mountain hikes in spring, which can be combined with a stop at the traditional Ornak mountain hut. A special highlight awaits visitors in spring: blooming crocus fields that transform the valley into a sea of purple flowers.
Getting to the Tatra Mountains
The Tatra Mountains can be reached both by plane and by car. For the Polish Tatra Mountains, Krakow Airport is the optimal starting point, with the onward journey by car taking approximately two hours. The Slovakian side of the mountains can be reached via Poprad-Tatry or Bratislava airports. If you are traveling by car, you can reach the Tatras from Germany via Prague or Vienna to Zakopane (Poland) or Poprad (Slovakia).
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Location on the Map
