Miriam Trip, Stage 1: Travel Guide Pieniny - High Tatras
From Červený Kláštor, head back to Poland for the first 20 kilometres by crossing the Dunajec river via pedestrian bridge. Cycle through Stromowce Nizne, Stromowce Wyzne, Niedzica with impressive castle above the lake and Kacwin.
Welcome to Slovakia finally again! Behind the village Osturňa with traditional architecture, cycle up to the mountain pass 1134 metres above sea level. From here, enjoy descent safely down to Ždiar.
Ždiar is a charming village offers amazing views upon Belianske Tatry Mountains. Continue along the village according to the route, or make a small detour into Monkova dolina valley and Strednica ski resort. Stop by at Ždiarsky dom for refreshment or museum.
From Ždiar, follow unpaved cycling path to Tatranská Kotlina. Tatranská Kotlina is well known especially because of the Belianska Cave. If you feel like visiting, check entrance options in advance and lock your bike with belonging properly. You will need to walk up a bit to the entrance. Admission fee is 12€ (only cash, no reservation possible) and entrances should be every hour, or more often in high season. Tour lasts 70 minutes.
From Tatranská Kotlina, continue a bit along the cycling path, before turning right to a unpaved cycling path in the forest along the main road. After a few kilometres you arrive to Tatranská Lomnica, one of the main resorts of High Tatras. Visit its bizarre TANAP museum of the national park or make a stop at one of the local cafés. From here, it is only a few kilometres though with ascent to your goal of today, Horný Smokovec.
Osturňa / 26 km
Deserved beer or kofola or refreshments at local pub or grocery store in Osturňa.
Ždiarsky dom / 39 km
Traditional restaurant with folk crafts museum and splendid views upon Belianske Tatry alpine peaks in charming village of Ždiar.
Tatranská Kotlina / 48 km
There are several options to stop by for refreshment at Tatranská Kotlina, like U Furmana restaurant. Good to combine with a visit to Belianska Cave.
28 – 29 Sept / Kláštor Múzeum / Červený Kláštor
Address: Pod Lipami 20, Červený Kláštor
Telephone: +421 52 48 22 955, +421 911 325 250
Email: info@muzeumcervenyklastor.sk
29 – 30 Sept / Penzión Miramonti
Address: Horný Smokovec 8, Vysoké Tatry
Telephone: +421 948 109 859
Email: info@miramonti.sk
Niedzica Castle, Poland
Charming castle above the lake in Poland. A small 2 km detour from the route, but can be worth to stop.
Ždiar
Small but cozy museum of folk crafts next to the restaurant. Splendid views on Belianske Tatry Mountains.
Belianska Cave
Popular cave, a short walk from the parking place needed, so lock your bike well. Good to check entrance options in advance.
Červený Kláštor
Bike rental in Červený Kláštor, possibly they help as well.
Niezdica (Poland)
Bike rental in Niezdica, also could help with repairs.
Ždiar
There are a few ebike rentals in Ždiar, where they could help.
Things to do in Pieniny National Park
The largest attraction of Pieniny National Park is a traditional wooden rafting or standard rafting at charming Dunajec river. This is a really nice experience, as the river is surrounded by impressive rock formations and juicy forests. There are several companies both on Slovak and Polish sides, try for example Rafting Oravec or Pieniny Sport Centrum.
If rafting is not your cup of tea, you can enjoy beauties of Pieniny National Park also by biking into the gorge on unpaved educational trail (return trip, 1-2 hours).
Also, do not miss to explore the mysteries of medieval monastery Červený Kláštor museum.
For dinner, head to Goralska Restaurant U Petrika.
Things to do in High Tatras
There are plenty of options of activities in High Tatras. If you feel like going hiking, the best option from Tatranská Lomnica is to take a cable car up to Skalnaté Pleso. From here, hike to Zamkovského chata and up to Teryho chata (mountain hut, 2015 metres above sea level). Then walk down to Hrebienok from where you can take cable railway down to Starý Smokovec (or you can walk 1 hour).
Map of the route. You can buy Magistrála ticket for 29€ for both cable cars. From Starý Smokovec, take a local train to Tatranská Lomnica.
But if you feel like cycling, consider nice route up to Popradské Pleso mountain lake.
For more up-to-date information, visit local information centre in Tatranská Lomnica.