High Tatras Trekking - The Carpathian Mountains
- Hut to hut trek between Poland and Slovakia
- Climb Rysy the highest peak in Poland
- Explore the historic city of Krakow
- Wolf, brown bear and golden eagle
- Excellent trekking holiday through wilderness Europe
Situated on the border between Poland and Slovakia and with 25 summits above 2500 metres (8200 feet), the Tatras is the highest range of the Carpathian Mountains. With a classically Alpine landscape and good trails linking comfortable and scenically located refuges, this is a fantastic area for a mountain walking holiday. From the Polish mountain town of Zakopane, we cross into Slovakia and start our trek amongst the limestone peaks of the Bielskie Tatra. Crossing high passes and following the 'Belvedere Trail' we reach the Popradske Pleso Hut after 3 days. From here, we climb to our high point at the summit of Rysy (2499m / 8199ft), Poland's highest peak. Dropping down on the Polish side, we enjoy 2 further nights at remote refuges and also experience the stunning trek through the valley of the 'Polish Five Lakes'. An afternoon of sightseeing in Krakow is a great way to sign off. Carrying minimal personal equipment, this is an ideal introduction to one of Europe's newest trekking destinations.
Is this holiday for you?
This mountain trek follows a good walking trail from east to west on the south side of the High Tatras. For 5 nights we will stay in mountain huts that are (with some exceptions) inaccessible by vehicle. This means that group members need to carry all of their personal equipment throughout the trip. With careful planning, and considering that neither a sleeping bag nor a camping mattress are needed for this holiday, the total weight of your rucksack can be pared down to around 8 or 9 kilograms. The average day's walking will be around 6 hours and may involve 1000 metres (3300 feet) of ascent. The trekking route follows way-marked paths to high cols and ridges. The ascent of Rysy will involve some easy scrambling (with one short section using chains) and may also include the crossing of patches of old snow. The fact that this trip is not vehicle supported does have a big influence on the overall difficulty. This trekking holiday is suitable for regular hillwalkers, looking for an excellent week's mountain walking in a largely undiscovered part of the world.
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