Road Route, Stage 8: Travel Guide Heľpa - High Tatras

Big mountains today. From the centre of Slovakia, you will pass the ridge of Low Tatras and cycle up to High Tatras.

The biggest challenge of today comes right in the morning. From Heľpa, follow the asphalt cycling path without traffic up to Priehyba mountain pass (1192 metres). This is the highest point of the whole route between Bratislava and Košice. If you feel like cycling higher, there still will be options in High Tatras. 🙂

From the main ridge of Low Tatras, enjoy downhill safely to Čierny Váh valley. From here, take a short (5 km) but scenic cycling path built on former narrow gauge railroad built above the creek in a steep hill.

From Biely Potok, follow the road with minor traffic to Šuňava and enjoy the first views to alpine peaks of the High Tatra mountains. Šuňava offers the first option to buy something to eat or drink at local pizzeria, pub or grocery store.

In Lučivná, turn right to a cycling path without traffic all the way to Svit. Svit is maybe not the most charming town on this trip, but if you give a chance to a local industrial architecture of 1930’s built for employers and employees of the legendary Baťa shoemaker, you may find it interesting. Shoes are not produced here, but socks yes – buy a pair as an authentic souvenir in Tatrasvit company store.

Continue through villages of Batizovce and Gerlachov up to Tatranská Polianka, where you join the Road of Freedom, the main road connecting mountain resorts in High Tatras. Only 4 kilometres further you arrive to Starý Smokovec, the oldest resort and the centre of High Tatras. Stop at the local info centre to get some maps and up-to-date information.

Tatranská Lomnica, the goal of your journey, is 5 kilometres further, mostly down.