Day 4, Trenčín - High Tatras Fri, 16 Sept
The fourth stage of your journey takes you from Trenčín by train to High Tatras.
After breakfast, take an express train R 603 TATRAN from Trenčín railway station at 9:35 to Štrba, arriving at 12:25. Your train tickets are in your email. You can print it or to keep it your smartphone, it is enough to show the QR code to the conductor.
Štrba is the highest railway station for express trains in Slovakia, lying 895 metres above sea level. So you will save some energy to cycle up to even higher elevations. 🙂
From Tatranská Štrba, cycle up to Štrbské Pleso mountain lake taking road with some traffic, but not too much. It is 450 metres elevation gain upwards, but gradient is not very steep. Štrbské Pleso is a developed mountain resort with many options to take a lunch or coffee. Take a look on the panorama from the shore of the lake next to Kempinski Hotel, it is one of the most iconic views in Slovakia.
If you have time and energy, take a beautiful cycling path on asphalt to Popradské Pleso mountain lake (map of the route with 12 km detour, +253 metres elevation gain). Gradient is steeper at some sections, but landscapes are worth it. At Popradské Pleso, there is also a restaurant by the lake.
Then cycle more or less downhill along the “Road of Freedom” (Cesta slobody) with alpine views to Nový Smokovec, where you will find your accommodation.
Koliba Žerucha, Tatranská Štrba / 1 km
If you are hungry after you arrive to High Tatras, this is the place to taste a local food from northern Slovakia. But do not take too much, as some climb awaits you. 🙂
Furkotka, Štrbské Pleso/ 11 km
Maybe it is better to eat after the climb at Štrbské Pleso. There are many options, Furkotka is one of them. 🙂
Hotel Popradské Pleso
Restaurant with great alpine views at your highest point of the route, if you decide for a detour to Popradské Pleso from Štrbské Pleso.
Penzión Vila Jedľa / Nový Smokovec
Nový Smokovec 47, Vysoké Tatry
+421 911 480 955
Comfortable guest house in a mountain resort of Smokovec. The accommodation including breakfast was fully paid, no cash payment from you needed.
Štrbské Pleso / 11 km
One the most iconic mountain resorts with a big glacier lake, alpine views and restaurants. The place of the 1970’s FIS Nordic World Ski Championship.
Popradské Pleso / +12 km detour
Glacier lake located 1494 metres above sea level, reachable on asphalt road without traffic by bike. Worth to make a detour, if you have enough energy and weather is okay.
Starý Smokovec
The oldest and the most charming mountain resort in High Tatras, developed since the end 19th century. It is a short walk from your accommodation in Nový Smokovec.