Villa Severka offers- as one of the few accommodation facilities in High Tatras-a unique summer or winter stay thank to its fantastic position. Directly at your door wait for you wonderful ski slopes and hiking tracks. Our house is 50 meters away from the nearest ski lift Jakubkova Luka and 100 meters from a cable lift Hrebienok to be your starting point for amazing ski or hiking trips. It is, therefore, of our interest to advise you and provide you with thorough information of how to enjoy your vacation in High Tatras to the fullest. This section shall be regularly updated in order to inform you on the free time possibilities in High Tatras.

SUMMER

Hiking

• 600 kilometers of perfectly marked tracks in the Tatras National Park
• Tatranska magistrala (Tatras Road) - 46 kilometer track from Podbanske via Strbske Pleso (mountain lake), Sliezky Dom (Silesian House), Hrebienok, Skalnate Pleso (mountain lake), Zelene Pleso (mountain lake) with the end at Biele Pleso (mountain lake).
• 12 hiking tracks to the highest summits over 2000 meters. (Rysy 2503 m, Jahnaci Peak 2230 m, Furkotsky Peak 2403 m, Krivan 2495m)

Mountain huts: • 12 alpine mountain huts in High Tatras are popular hiking destinations. • They offer shelter from sudden weather change and accommodation.

LOMNICKY PEAK

Position - Slovensko - Region of Presov - County of Poprad - Tatranská Lomnica
Distance - 7.7 km - about 10 min
www.vt.sk || www.tatryinfo.sk || Wikipedia || Lates images from Lomnicky peak || Map

Cable lift trip from Tatranska Lomnica up to the second highest summit in Slovakia - Lomnicky Peak belongs to the most popular tourist attractions in High Tatras. The cable lift takes you to 2 634 m above see level with the 1700 m height difference. With the Meteorological Station on the top, it offers a majestic panorama view Lomnický Štít inak on Belianske Tatras as far as Polish low lands, or when facing opposite direction one fifth of the Slovak territory.





SLOVENSKY RAJ (SLOVAK PARADISE) – National Park

Position - Slovakia – Region of Kosice – County of Spisska Nova Ves - Hrabusice or Smizany
Vzdialenosť - 30 km
www.slovensky-raj.sk || www.slovenskyraj.sk || Wikipedia || Mapa

Slovak Paradise lies in the East of Slovakia and is an extremely attractive location for tourists with karstic plateaus and poorts with ladders over roaring waterfalls and breathtaking surface karst phenomena. It can be visited throughout the year. Its territory offers more than 300 km of marked hiking trails. To discover the nature there are 5 Nature Trail for less experienced hikers. There are nearly 200 caves and chasms, but only Dobsinska Ice Cave is accessible to the public and is registered in the List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage by UNESCO.

There are several convenient starting points for exploration of the Slovak Paradis:
A. Suchá Belá
B. Hrabušice
C. Smižany
D. Čingov
E. Dedinky
F. Podlesok


Villa Severka recommends:

Suchá Belá
One of the most romantic and most visited poorts in Slovak Paradise. This poort is located near the village Hrabusice, where the visitors can find the information center. It offers a walking trail with many waterfalls. Water, coming through the gorge rises on the northern edge of plain of Glac. Its stream separates the rock massif of Vtaci Hrb from Rumanova.

Kláštorisko
Klastorisko is a unique tourist destination lying in the heart of Slovak Paradise, and therefore is accessible on foot only. There is a remarkable complex of former Cartesian monastery with an area of 1 ha, perfectly harmonizing with the beautiful karst landscape.

Velky Sokol Poort
The starting point for Velky Sokol Poort will be Podlesok behind the village Hrabusice. You can take the circular tour, which lasts for 6 hours. You can experience the rich diversity of several corners of the Slovak Paradise. In the beginning it goes through the broad river valley of Great White Water. The most attractive and most demanding part is the track along the longest poorts in the Slovak Paradise - Velky Sokol Poort - fascinating terrain across several waterfalls and cascades, which are part of a Sokol Nature Reserve.

Tomasovsky Vyhlad ( natural viewpoint)
Stunning rock gallery in 680 m above the see level in the southern slopes of terrace shape. From there you may enjoy a breathtaking view at the valley of Biely Potok, Prielom Hornadu, Certova Sihot and in good weather conditions as far as High Tatras. In Slovak Paradise, Tomasovsky Vyhlad belongs the most visited and popular destination in the National Park. Very nice moderately difficult route that we recommend is Cingov - Durkovec - Tomasovsky Vyhlad - Letanovsky Mlyn - Klastorska gorge-mouth - Klastorisko – Biley Potok (White Creek-mouth) - Cingov (5 hours). Easy orientation thanks to good trail marking.

Prielom Hornadu (Hornad Rift) - Mapa
Prielom Hornadu belongs to the greatest and most popular attractions in the Slovak Paradise. Narrow of canyon shape valley 16 km separated from the mountain ridge with the top of Tomasovsky Vyhlad (667 m). Lower regions of the Hornad Valley form the 15 km long tourist trail with 11 information boards. The most exciting and attractive parts of the trail lead above the fast flowing River Hornad.

Zejmarska Roklina (Gorge)
Zejmarska Gorge is the only accessible gorge in the southern part of the Slovak Paradise shaped by the river flow, which flows from plain Geravy. The stream creates a multilevel system of waterfalls named in honor of Capt. Jan Nalepka. Accessible by car from Poprad or Spisska Nova Ves and village of Mlynky where is a pedestrian access to the estuary of Zejmarská gorge, which is located in the village Mlynky - Biele Vody. It is a region with breathtaking landscape with the predominance of cliffs, overhangs, waterfalls and rock steps.





Pieniny – National Park

Position - Slovakia – region of Presov – County of Stara Lubovna - Cerveny Klastor
Vzdialenosť - 54 km
www.pieniny.sk || www.pienap.sk || www.pieninyportal.com || Wikipedia || Mapa

National Park Pieniny is the smallest, but however, with a unique beauty. It lies on the border line with Poland. It is famous for the River Dunajec and rafting trips down the river offering breathtaking scenery of the park.

The region is rich in protected plant species with many endemits. Its fauna is also remarkable with its 766 butterfly, 99 mullusc and over 200 vertebrate species. You may spot a lynx perching on the cliffs or wondering through the forest, and an otter hunting for its prey in the waters of River Dunajec.

Do not miss the fantastic panorama view from the highest peak of Tri Koruny on the Polish side of the park. For those who do not like getting physical we have a more comfortable option. You can admire the beauty of the limestone formation from the deck of a typical raft. Villa Severka recommends:

Prielom Dunajca (Dunajec Rift)
This trip belongs to the most beautiful ones in Slovakia. You can start from Cerveny Klastor, continue to Lesnicky Potok and follow the right bank of the Dunajec for quite a while.
Red marked trail leads along the Pieniny Road, which used to link Cerveny Klastor with the Polish spa town of Szczawnica in the 19 century. The road goes through the Nature Reserve of Dunajec Rift with plenty of romantic spots emblazoned with legends and myths. At the start the riverbed gets very narrow and this spot with the width of 10 m and depth of 12 m is called Janosik Skok. When you reach the finish of the trail there waits a magic spring of Storocna Voda (Hundred Year Water) for you, which never freezes. It is said that who drinks its water, will live up to hundred years. There are 13 points of interests along this Nature Trail.

Track and trails in High Tatras

Villa Severka recommends:

Category - Easy

1. Hrebienok – Rainerova Chata (Hut)– Obrovsky Vodopad (Giant Waterfall) Studeneho Potoka – Zamkovskeho Hut
Duration - [1 hod 30 min]

From the house Villa Severka head to the station of ground cable way, please check Tatranké Lanové Dráhy for timetables and other useful info. From Hrebienok continue along so called “Tatranska magistrala (Tatras Road)“, red marked trail about 20 minutes as far as Reinerova Chata (Hut). There you might visit a permanent exhibition - “The History of Tatras Sherpas“. From the hut leads a trail directly to the Velka Studena Dolina (Great Cold Valley) about 10 minutes. Follow the red marked trail and after 30-40 minutes you reach the finish of this trip - Obrovsky Studenovodsky Vodopad (Great Coldwater Waterfall). Still not tired? Then you may continue as far as Zamkovskeho Chata (Hut) about 10-15 minutes, there you can have a rest and refresh yourself. To go back to Hrebienok follow the same way in opposite direction. You way back to Villa Severka should take about 1hour and 10 min.
2. Villa Severka – Novy Smokovec – Sliezky Dom - Velicke Pleso (mountain lake) ( yellow mark) – from the crossroad Velicka Polana (green mark)
Duration - [2 hod 35 min]

Second trip, we have chosen for our guests and all of you who love to explore the beauties of High Tatras, is- provided the weather conditions are favorable- very pleasant and relaxing. If you want to breathe the fresh alpine air,this trip is just for you. Easy trail leading to the foothills of Slavkovsky Peak into Velicka Valley to Sliezky Dom (Silesian House) and Velicke Pleso (mountain lake). This trip takes about 2 hours and 35 minutes. To go back take the green marked trail to Tatranska Polianka about 2 hours and from there you can catch the Tatra train (TEŽ) to Stary Smokovec.
Category – Moderately difficult
1. Mala Studena Dolina (Small Cold Valley)– Teryho Chata (Hut) – Spisske Plesa (mountain lakes)
Duration - [2 hod 40 min]

This trip takes you into the Tatras National Park with its unique flora and fauna and breathtaking panorama of Tatras summits. The trip starts from Hrebienok. To get there take the ground cable way from Stary Smokovec, please check Tatranké Lanové Dráhy for timetables and other useful info. Then follow the red marked trail as far as Zamkovskeho Chata (Hut) and on the crossroad take the green marked trail. After about 1 hour and 40 minutes you come to Teryho Chata (Hut). Nearby you can admire, following the green marked trail, the spectacular mountain lakes of Spisske Plesa. The way back, following the same track, shall take you less than 2 hours.
2. Hrebienok – crossroad under Rainerova Chata (Hut) – Zbojnicka Chata (Hut) – Zbojnicke Plesa (mountain lakes)
Duration - [2 hod 45 min]

Our next recommended trip starts at Hriebienok. Follow the red marked trail as far as the crossroad under Rainerova Chata (Hut) and follow the blue marked trail as far as Zbojnicka Chata (Hut). Only 15 min. away you can admire the picturesque mountain lakes of Zbojnicke Plesa perfectly fitting into this unique panorama of High Tatras. The central lake is 70 m long and 95 m wide with the max depth of 5,2 m sitting on 1958 m above the see level.
Category – Difficult
1. Hrebienok – crossroad under Slavkovsky Peak – Slavkovsky Peak
Duration - [3 hod. a 25 min]

The symbol of our apartment house Villa Severka is, actually, Slavkovsky Peak. It is, therefore, our recommendation for those who want to admire the majestic peaks of High Tatras from the top of Slavkovsky Peak. This alpine type of hike starts from Hrebienok, following the red marked trail direction the crossroad under Slavkovsky Peak (25 min), where you take the blue marked trail taking you up to the top of Slavkovsky Peak (3 hours). The peak towers into 2452 m above the see level and one of the few summits reachable without climbing gear or professional guide. We recommend: Go for this trip when the peak is free of clouds.
2. Vychodna Vysoka (Peak) 2429 m above the see level
Duration - [9 hod.]

This summit belongs to the best to enjoy the most beautiful view on the High Tatras panorama. You can start right at the door of our house Villa Severka following the yellow marked trail heading to Sliezky Dom (Silesian House) in Velicka Dolina (Valley) about 2 hours and 45 min. From the Silesian House and mountain lake Velicke Pleso continue with an easy trail following the green marked trail pass the Velicky Waterfall up to the terrace with the view on mountain lake Dlhe Pleso, from there climb the steep trail up to the top of Polsky Hreben (Polish Ridge). From there follow the moderate difficult ridge trail up to the top of the summit of Vychodna Vysoka about 50 min. For the way back take the ridge trail back to the Polish Ridge and taking the blue marked trail to the saddleback Prielom descending to the Velka Studena Dolina (Great Cold Valley) to Zbojnicka Chata (Hut), where you can take a rest and continue to Hrebienok ground cable lift taking you back to Stary Smokovec.
Our House wishes you a pleasant and safe trip in High Tatras.

For all recommended trips we have used official tourist guides and maps for the region of High Tatras. Text and photographs are the property of the House Villa Severka and the author.
Before you decide to go on a trip, we highly recommend checking all available information on weather situation and conditions in High Tatras www.hzs.sk or www.laviny.sk