The High Tatras Haute Route (on skis)
We offer you a route which follows the footprints of the pioneers of the great traverse of the High Tatras in 1967. Even though it is not as long as the Haute Route in the Alps, it is at least as difficult and demanding, providing a lot of unique sceneries.
The route itself guarantees the first hand ski mountaineering experience of crossing the High Tatras. The route is a great preparation for further ski touring trips in the Alps and all around the world. It is suitable mostly for those who have just a minor experience with the high mountains´ terrain.
… the original route of the mountaineers is being described by a mountain guide and one of the participants, Šaňo Luczy.
The 3-day tour demands the basics in ski touring, good physical fitness (ascending about 3000 hight meters within the distance of 30 km and the same amount of the hight meters decended on skis) and the skills to free ride safely.
Spring 2025 Dates:
18th March – 20th March
25th March – 27th march (fully booked)
15th April – 17th April
By personal agreement also other dates available.
Price:
510 € per person in a group of 3 participants per one mountain guide
690 € per person, max. of 2 participants
1200 € 1 participant
Participants: max a group of 3 per one mountain guide
Accomodation:
mountain huts in the High Tatras along the route (the hut at Popradské pleso, Zbojnícka hut (Zbojnícka chata), the hut by the Green Lake (chata pri Zelenom plese), the hut Plesnivec
Difficulty:
advanced, experienced skier
Price includes:
Guiding by a IMFGA mountain guide
Price does not include:
Transportation, food and accomodation costs at the mountain huts, food and accomodation costs of the mountain guide, insurance
Tour Schedule:
Day 1: To the mountains comfortably
The meeting point is located in Tatranská Kotlina where the ascent to Plesnice hut starts at 3.30 p.m. Later the use of the avalanche transceiver and the safety equipment is refreshed, followed by the preparation for the tour itself.
Route parameters: Time 1,5 h, → 5 km , ↑ 500 m, ↓ 0 m
Day 2: Finally the viewes of the charming High Tatras scenery
Plesnivec hut (Chata Plesnivec, 1 290 m) – Brnčalova hut (Brnčalova chata, 1 551 m), – Baranie saddle (Baranie sedlo, 2 390 m ), free ride ascent to the valley Malá studená dolina – ascent to Priečne saddle (Priečne sedlo, 2 350 m) and the longest ski ascent of the day heading down to Zbojnícka hut (Zbojnícka chata, 1 960 m). The route offers an option to free ride in the surronging mountain culoirs.
Route parameters: Time 7-8 → 12,5 km, ↑ 1 640 m, ↓ 970 m
Day 3: Pure alpinism on skis
The alpine ascent from Zbojnícka hut (Zbojnícka chata, 1 960 m) to Studené saddle (Studené sedlo, 2 360 m) when the crampons and the use of the ice axe are needed. From the saddle follows the ascent to the top of the peak Východná Vysoká (2 430 m). The ski descent leads through the tiny hollow of Velická and the ascent to the Litvorové saddle (Litvorové sedlo, 2 385 m) leads to the best ascent of the whole Haute Route. Ascending through the snowy slopes of Gerlachovské spády the route leads to the saddle of Východná Železná brána (2250). The sunset offers a charming atmosphere to the final free ride descent towards the hut at Popradské lake (Popradské pleso, 1 495 m).
Route parameters: Time 5-6 h, → 11 km, ↑ 1000 m, ↓ 1 700 m
The route can be changed due to bad weather conditions. The most common variation is to skip the Litvorové and Studené saddle (Livorové and Studené sedlo). The route can lead through the saddle Prielom to valleys called Litvorová and Kačacia. Then follow through the slopes of Gerlachovské spády up to the saddle Východná železná brána. In a case of need, other route variations can be considered by the mountein guide.
The route schedule can be prolonged by adding another tracks leading to Podbanské through Mengusovská and Kôprovská valleys. The Haute Route can be done also in the opposite direction, leading from Podbanské or Popradské lake (Popradské pleso). One of the options is to start the tour in the Polish Tatra mountains. Each extra day added to the schedule costs 350 € per day per group.
