Low Tatras National Park

The Low Tatras are the largest national park in Slovakia and carry the country's longest continuous high ridge, running roughly east to west with Ďumbier at 2,043 metres and Chopok beside it, both reachable by cable car from either side. The ridge traverse is a classic multi-day walk. Below the crest the massif is riddled with caves, and the Demänovská system on the northern flank is among the largest in Central Europe.

Background

The park lies between the valleys of the Váh and the Hron, and with its buffer zone it covers the whole range: 728 km2 of park plus 1,102 km2 of buffer. Four major Slovak rivers, the Váh, Hron, Hnilec and Hornád, rise below the Kráľova hoľa peak. Attempts at protection date from 1918-1921. A 1963 proposal used the name Central Slovakia National Park, and between 1965 and 1966 a draft for a National Park Ďumbier followed. The park was created in 1978 with 81,095 ha, and its borders were revised on 17 June 1997, leaving 72,842 ha. Inside lie 10 national nature reserves, 10 nature reserves, 5 national nature monuments, 6 nature monuments and 1 protected site.

Source: Wikipedia, "Low Tatras National Park"

What you'll find

• The main ridge - some eighty kilometres of crest, walkable end to end.
• Dumbier and Chopok - the high points, both served by cable cars.
• The Demanovska caves - a large cave system on the northern flank.
• The Jasna ski area - the largest ski resort in Slovakia, on both sides of Chopok.

When to go

June to October is the walking season; the ridge holds snow into June. December to April is the ski season. Weather on the crest changes very fast in any month.

Practical notes

There is no water on the ridge and huts are far apart. Weather changes fast and the crest is exposed with no escape routes in the middle sections. Bears are present throughout the park.

Nearby

Kralova Hola closes the eastern end, and Liptovska Mara is north.

Key facts