Skalnaté pleso

Skalnaté pleso is a moraine mountain lake nestled in the lowest cirque of the Skalnatá dolina valley in the High Tatras. It is one of the best-known and most-visited spots in the whole Tatra range, since cable cars, hiking trails, and views of the surrounding peaks all converge here.

The lake has had a turbulent history. Since 1937 its water level has fluctuated, and during some periods it has even partly dried up. Besides hydrological and climatic conditions, its existence has also been threatened by human intervention – above all the construction of the cable car station running from Tatranská Lomnica to Skalnaté pleso and on to Lomnický štít. Despite several rescue interventions in the 1930s and 1950s, the lake's water level remains variable to this day.

A well-known observatory and cable car station stand by the lake, so you can reach it comfortably by gondola even without a demanding climb. From here there is a unique view into the Skalnatá dolina valley and over the sub-Tatra landscape panorama. More capable hikers continue on to Tatra mountain huts or take the cable car up to Lomnický štít, one of the highest and best-known Tatra peaks.

Skalnaté pleso lies above Tatranská Lomnica, in the heart of the Tatra National Park. The surroundings offer dense mountain forests, marked trails through the Cold Valleys (Studené doliny), and other Tatra settlements.

To fully enjoy this corner of the Tatras, it's worth spending the night in one of the sub-Tatra settlements. That way you'll catch the first cable car runs in the morning, avoid the biggest crowds, and enjoy Skalnaté pleso and its views in a calmer atmosphere. This easy cable-car excursion pairs well with other nearby destinations for a pleasant day in the mountains.