Peaks of the High Tatras

From the highest, Gerlach, to the iconic Kriváň

Tatra Summits

The High Tatras offer dozens of breathtaking peaks, many of which exceed 2,500 meters

Important: Some peaks are accessible only with a mountain guide (e.g. Gerlach). Always check current conditions, weather and trail status before your ascent. High-mountain hiking requires experience, proper equipment and good physical fitness.

Highest Peaks

Gerlachovský štít (Gerlach)

2,655 m a.s.l. Mountain guide only Full day

The highest peak in Slovakia and the entire Carpathians. Gerlachovský štít (2,654.4 m a.s.l.) is the undisputed ruler of the Tatras. Until 1838, when Ľudovít Greiner, head of the forest administration in Jelšava, carried out trigonometric measurements, Kriváň, Lomnický štít or Ľadový štít were thought to be the highest.

History of the name: The peak is named after the village of Gerlachov, which it towers above. The older name Kotlový štít was once used for both this summit and the neighbouring Kotlový štít.

Ascent: No marked trail leads to Gerlach. Only qualified climbers or hikers accompanied by a mountain guide may climb it. The usual ascent goes through Velická dolina and the Velický žľab gully, with the descent via the Batizovský žľab gully; the hardest sections are secured with chains. The climb requires good fitness, confidence on rock and stable weather.

Views: The summit offers a 360° panorama over the whole of the Tatras and the sub-Tatra basins, and in clear weather even distant mountain ranges. The feeling at the top is unforgettable – you are standing on the roof of Slovakia and the Carpathians!

Lomnický štít

2,634 m a.s.l. Cable car Year-round

The second highest peak and the most accessible high-mountain summit. Lomnický štít (2,633.8 m) is unique in that you can reach it comfortably by cable car from Tatranská Lomnica. Its summit is shaped like a three-sided pyramid and offers some of the best views in the Tatras.

Cable car: The cable car to Lomnický štít is one of the most remarkable feats of engineering in the Tatras. From Tatranská Lomnica you ride to the Štart mid-station (1,173 m), then by gondola to Skalnaté pleso (1,751 m) and finally by the red aerial tramway straight to the summit – this last section alone climbs more than 850 metres. From Tatranská Lomnica to the top, the lifts climb more than 1,700 metres in total.

Observatory: Weather observations have been made on the summit since 1940. The station of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute is still staffed – meteorologists observe during the day and an automatic station measures at night. Since 1962 the Astronomical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences has also run an observatory here.

What you’ll see: The panorama stretches from the Belianske Tatras across the main ridge to the Western Tatras. To the north you can see into Poland, to the south lie the sub-Tatra basins, and in clear weather the view reaches far beyond the Tatras.

Practical information: Tickets are sold for a specific time and capacity is limited, so we recommend buying them in advance (current prices and sales at vt.sk). Your time on the summit is limited. Even in summer it can be cold and windy at the top – bring warm clothes!

Kriváň

2,495 m a.s.l. Difficult 7–9 hours June–October

National symbol of Slovakia. Kriváň (2,495 m) holds a special place in the hearts of Slovaks. Its distinctive profile appears on Slovak euro coins, and since the 19th century it has been a symbol of Slovak national identity.

History and symbolism: In the 19th century the ascent of Kriváň became a national pilgrimage – on 16 August 1841 Ľudovít Štúr climbed it with other Slovak patriots. The tradition lives on: every August the Club of Slovak Tourists (KST) organises the National Ascent of Kriváň (in 2026 it took place on 15 August).

Ascent: Most hikers start at Tri studničky (1,150 m). The trail climbs through forest and dwarf pine to the junction below Kriváň and then through alpine terrain over Daxnerovo sedlo and Malý Kriváň to the summit. The other popular route starts in Štrbské Pleso and leads via Jamské pleso. The elevation gain from Tri studničky is almost 1,400 m, making it a demanding full-day hike.

Technical information: The ascent requires no climbing skills, but good fitness and mountain navigation. The final sections are rocky and exposed. From Tri studničky the trail is marked green, from the junction below Kriváň to the summit blue; from Štrbské Pleso you follow red to Jamské pleso and then blue. Ascent: 4–5 hours, descent: 3–4 hours.

Best time: June to October, ideally July and August. From 1 November to 31 May the trail is closed under the seasonal closure of the Tatra National Park (TANAP). Watch the forecast – strong winds are common on the summit and thunderstorms are frequent.

Other Notable Peaks

Ľadový štít

2,627 m Mountain guide only

The third highest peak of the High Tatras, rising above the Kotlina Piatich spišských plies basin. Its north and north-west faces are among the mighty walls of the Tatras. No marked trail leads to the summit – it is accessible only with a mountain guide.

Rysy

2,503 m Difficult

The highest peak reachable on a marked trail without a mountain guide. It lies on the Slovak–Polish border. From the Slovak side (from Popradské pleso via Chata pod Rysmi) the ascent is easier, with chains on just one section; from the Polish side, from Morskie Oko, it is steeper, with long sections secured by chains.

Ganek

2,462 m Mountain guide only

A peak on the main ridge between the Zlomisková and Kačacia valleys, famous for the huge rock terrace Galéria Ganku on its south face. There is no marked trail to the summit — it is reachable only with a mountain guide or as a climbing objective.

Končistá

2,538 m Mountain guide only

A peak on a side ridge branching off Popradský Ľadový štít between the Batizovská and Štôlska valleys. No marked trail leads to the summit – it is accessible only with a mountain guide. The summit offers wide views of the High Tatras and the Podtatranská kotlina basin.

Slavkovský štít

2,452 m Difficult

The peak towering above the Smokovec resorts. The ascent follows the blue trail from Starý Smokovec via the Slavkovská vyhliadka viewpoint. It is long (about 5 hours up, 4 hours down) but technically easy. The summit looks out over the surrounding peaks, the Podtatranská kotlina basin and the Low Tatras.

Vysoká

2,547 m Mountain guide only

A peak on the main ridge above Ťažká dolina, Dračia dolina and Rumanova dolinka. No marked trail leads to the summit – it is accessible only with a mountain guide. The summit offers all-round views of the High and Belianske Tatras, the Low Tatras and the peaks of southern Poland.

Comparison of Highest Peaks

Peak	Elevation	Accessibility	Difficulty	Ascent Time
Gerlachovský štít	2,655 m	Mountain guide only	Very difficult	Full day
Lomnický štít	2,634 m	Cable car	No hike	—
Ľadový štít	2,627 m	Mountain guide only	Very difficult	Full day
Vysoká	2,547 m	Mountain guide only	Very difficult	Full day
Končistá	2,538 m	Mountain guide only	Very difficult	Full day
Rysy	2,503 m	Marked trail	Difficult	7–9 hours
Kriváň	2,495 m	Marked trail	Difficult	7–9 hours
Ganek	2,462 m	Mountain guide only	Very difficult	Full day
Slavkovský štít	2,452 m	Marked trail	Difficult	8–9 hours

Safety Recommendations

Equipment: Good hiking boots, layered clothing, a windbreaker, enough water (at least 2 l), food, a first aid kit, a map, a flashlight and a charger/power bank. For difficult ascents also a helmet, gloves, a harness and a rope.

Weather: Check the weather forecast before your ascent and during the hike. In the mountains, the weather changes quickly. In a thunderstorm, descend from exposed places immediately. Remember that temperature drops with altitude.

Time: Leave early in the morning to have enough time. Plan your descent so that you are down before dark. Don’t underestimate the time needed for the descent – it often takes almost as long as the ascent.

Company: Never go to the mountains alone. Tell someone about your plan and your expected return time. In an emergency, call the Mountain Rescue Service (18300).