One of the most famous Slovak peaks and a symbol of freedom, easily recognisable from afar thanks to its distinctive curved profile. The ascent leads through the Krivánsky Gully via Daxner's Saddle, and there is no hut along the route.
Route length
5.7 km one way
11.4 km round trip
11.4 km round trip
Elevation gain
1,355 m
Time (one way)
~4:00 h
Difficulty*
3/5
Trailhead
Tri Studničky (1,141 m a.s.l.)
📍 GPS parking
N 49.13451°, E 19.96865°
🔗 Route on Mapy.com
Elevation profile (podľa publikovaných dát trasy, nie z GPX)
Route breakdown
| 1 · Tri Studničky 1141 m · 0.0 km · 0:00 h | Starting point — the route begins here. |
| 2 · Kriváň 2495 m · 5.7 km · 4:00 h | Kriváň summit — the end of the route. |
ℹ Practical info
| 🅿 Parking | Tri Studničky — large car park by the Cesta slobody (Freedom Road) |
| 💧 Water | Not available on the route — bring an adequate supply (min. 2–3 l) |
| 🏠 Hut | None on the route |
| 🚡 Cable car | No |
| ❄ Ascent season | 1 Nov – 31 May closure |
| ☀ Best time | June — October |
| 🧭 Orientation | Marked trail, scree with exposed spots just below the summit |
| 🎨 Trail marking | 🟢 green (Tri Studničky → lower and middle part of the Krivánsky Gully), 🔵 blue (upper part of the gully → Daxner's Saddle → Malý Kriváň → summit) |
| 🔄 Descent | Same route back |
| 🔀 Alternative route | An alternative is the route from Štrbské Pleso via the Furkotská Valley and Jamské Tarn instead of from Tri Studničky — 🔴 red (Štrbské Pleso → Jamské Tarn along the Tatra High Trail), 🔵 blue (junction → Daxner's Saddle → summit) — longer, but technically less demanding (approx. 9.8 km one way / 19.6 km round trip, ~1,410 m of ascent, approx. 4:30 h climb). |
| 🚨 Emergency number | Mountain Rescue Service: 18 300 (or 112) |
What to bring
🎒 Hiking boots
🎒 Trekking poles
🎒 Waterproof jacket
🎒 Water (min. 2 l)
🎒 Food / energy bars
🎒 First aid kit
🎒 Warm layer
🎒 Map / GPS / phone
⚠ What to watch out for
- Weather in the Tatras changes quickly — check the forecast and turn back if a storm approaches.
- In winter and spring (1 Nov – 31 May) the upper sections of the trail may be closed — check current conditions at tatry.sk or hzs.sk.
- Bring an adequate supply of water — refill points may not be available on high-mountain routes.