The highest peak of the Tatras, reachable via a marked trail without mountaineering gear — which makes it the most visited Tatra summit, also accessible from the Polish side via Morskie Oko. The route passes Popradské Tarn, the Žabie Tarns and the Chata pod Rysmi hut, with the final stretch secured by chains.
Route length
11.9 km one way
23.7 km round trip
23.7 km round trip
Elevation gain
1,456 m
Time (one way)
~5:24 h
Difficulty*
4/5
Trailhead
Štrbské Pleso (1,346 m a.s.l.)
📍 GPS parking
N 49.12106°, E 20.06336°
🔗 Route on Mapy.com
Elevation profile (podľa publikovaných dát trasy, nie z GPX)
Route breakdown
| 1 · Štrbské Pleso 1346 m · 0.0 km · 0:00 h | Starting point — the route begins here. |
| 2 · Popradské Tarn 1494 m · 5.0 km · 1:30 h | The route passes by Popradské Tarn, where you can rest and refill water. |
| 3 · Chata pod Rysmi hut 2250 m · 9.2 km · 4:09 h | The route passes by the Chata pod Rysmi hut, where you can rest and refill water. |
| 4 · Rysy 2499 m · 11.9 km · 5:24 h | Rysy summit — the end of the route. |
ℹ Practical info
| 🅿 Parking | Štrbské Pleso — large paid car park |
| 💧 Water | Available to refill at Popradské Tarn |
| 🏠 Hut | Chata pod Rysmi hut (approx. 6.5 h from the start) |
| 🚡 Cable car | No |
| ❄ Ascent season | 1 Jun – 31 Oct — closed outside this period |
| ☀ Best time | June — October |
| 🧭 Orientation | Marked trail, the final stretch is exposed and secured by chains, very busy |
| 🎨 Trail marking | 🔴 red (Štrbské Pleso → Popradské Tarn), 🔵 blue (short section above the tarn), 🔴 red (via the Žabie Tarns, Chata pod Rysmi hut and Váha Saddle → Rysy) |
| 🔄 Descent | Same route back |
| 🔀 Alternative route | The summit is also accessible from the Polish side via Morskie Oko — a route from Łysa Polana via Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza and Morskie Oko (approx. 12.6 km one way / 25.2 km round trip, ~1,558 m of ascent, approx. 6 h climb). |
| 🚨 Emergency number | Mountain Rescue Service: 18 300 (or 112) |
What to bring
🎒 Hiking boots
🎒 Trekking poles
🎒 Helmet (recommended on chains and exposed terrain)
🎒 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.