Tatra National Park (Tatranský Národný Park - TANAP; also Tatry, Tatras or Tatra Mountains) is a national park. It constitutes the highest mountain ranges in Slovakia, and extends from the northern parts of Central Slovakia to Eastern Slovakia. As the mountains form a natural border between Slovakia and Poland, a smaller part of the mountain range is located in Poland, where it is Tatrzański Park Narodowy.
The Tatras reside in the northern part of Slovakia, bordering Poland, and belong to Carpathian Mountains range.
The national park consists of three smaller ranges:
All hiking paths are generally free to walk. For most routes, the access outside season (which is generally middle June til the end of October) is limited.
Some routes/peaks are not accessible by foot by general public and require a mountain guide - for example Gerlachovský Štít or Lomnický Štít.
- Štrbské pleso lake. The second-largest glacial lake and a popular tourist destination of the High Tatras.
Štrbské pleso lake. The second-largest glacial lake and a popular tourist destination of the High Tatras.
Almost every year, multiple casualties happen in the park. It is important to remember to let someone know where you are going and when you should return. This makes search party rescue action much faster and may significantly increase the chances of finding you in good condition. Staying outside overnight without proper equipment can be very dangerous.
Some mobile phone signal is available in the most popular valleys of the range opened towards cities. However, in the more "inner" valleys, you might not get a signal even after several hours' walk.
If you are planning on visiting the mountains, note that, as in any mountainous region, the weather can change dramatically in a matter of minutes and it can rain, snow, and hail, even in summer. Take appropriate equipment and don't underestimate the weather, especially if the weather forecast mentions storms and/or strong winds.
Mountain ranges Low Tatras, Pieniny
Regions Liptov, Spiš