Hidden Gems And Iconic Hikes In The Gorgeous Tatra Mountains

It's time to mark the Tatra mountains on your European bucket list. This section of the Carpathian mountain chain creates much of the border between Poland and Slovakia. Each country has protected large swaths of their respective mountain ranges and turned the land into national parks ripe for exploration. There are even trails that take you from one country to the other for an international romp through the High Tatras. With national parks on both sides of the border, you can find great hikes and build awesome vacations through the heart of the Tatra mountains, all while never veering too far from dumpling country. 

 From Georgia all the way through the north of Poland, this section of Europe's geography is ripe with hidden-gem hiking trails.  You'll find some of the best hikes in Europe right here in the Tatras, which is full of remote through-hikes, mountaineering, magnificent peaks reachable in a day trek, and gondola rides straight to the top. The Tatra's secrets are easily accessible from popular hubs like Zakopane in Poland or Poprad in Slovakia, or rent a car and drive off into quieter parts of the mountains. The Goral people have been living in these mountains for hundreds of years, and their mark is all over the landscape, most notably in their architectural schemes. Sometimes referred to as Zakopane style, these traditional homes and customs are great places to serve as your basecamps as you explore the unique mountain range.

Land in Krakow and head south to find yourself in the Tatras in no time. You can rent a car or take the train. Poland's robust public transport will whisk you from Krakow Main station to the foot of the Jaszczurówka – Olczyska Polana hiking route in under three hours. One train and one bus will drop you off directly across the street from this charming loop trail that brings you to scenic views of the Nosal peak. Many other "must-do" hikes of the Tatra are reachable via Zakopan, the region's largest metropolitan center. But, If you have your wheels, consider staying around the smaller towns nearby, like Małe Ciche, a town whose name translates to "small quiet." The river running through the town center will be the only thing you hear at night. 

The Polish Tatra National Park coalesces around an area known as Morskie Oko, a famous Tatra lake. Get there early and get off the main trail as soon as possible. There is a paved road that will take you to Morskie Oko, but you're better off on the scenic route amongst one of the many trails that branch off from the main path. We recommend following signs pointing you to a waterfall known as Wodogrzmoty Mickiwicza and the Valley of the Five Lakes. This epic hike will take you up, up, up on a tough few hours of incline before you can enjoy a great lunch on an alpine lake.

Poprad and the other main hubs of the Slovakian Tatra mountains begin about an hour away from Košice. The Tatra Electric Railway system will connect you directly to most of the region's hikes from Poprad. If you want to stay right in the heart of the action, many trails will leave directly from Starý Smokovec and Štrbské Pleso, two charming resort towns at the foot of the Tatras. 

Štrbské Pleso is the starting point for hiking Rysy Peak, an iconic Tatra summit. While the peak of this mountain is technically in Poland, the easiest way to the summit is to walk directly from Štrbské Pleso. This 20-kilometer out-and-back climb will take you through Slovakian forests before spitting you out above the tree lines to struggle up boulder fields and rocky switchbacks. The hike will test you before rewarding you with 360° views of some of the Tatra's highest peaks. All sorts of other great trails will leave from town to take you to waterfalls, chalets, and peaks amongst the three mountains of Kriváň, Veľké Solisko, and Satan that loom over the town center.

Starý Smokovec sits at the foot of Gerlachovský Štít, the tallest mountain in the entire Carpathians. Staying in Starý Smokovec sets you up a day hike away from the huge rock walls of Mt. Malý Kežmarský štít. Make sure you bring your trekking poles and all of your climbing equipment to tackle its rough northern wall.