Smrek

▲ 2071 m a.s.l.

A lesser-known peak on the northern spur of Baranec, which connects it to Žiarske Saddle.

Route length

9.1 km one way
18.2 km round trip

Elevation gain

1,182 m

Time (one way)

~4:39 h

Difficulty*

3/5

Community rating

no ratings yet

Trailhead

Žiarska Valley, mouth (900 m a.s.l.)

📍 GPS parking

N 49.14460°, E 19.69961°

🔗 Route on Mapy.com

Elevation profile (podľa publikovaných dát trasy, nie z GPX)

1 · Žiarska Valley, mouth 900 m · 0.0 km · 0:00 h	Starting point — the route begins here.
2 · Žiarska Hut 1325 m · 3.2 km · 1:34 h	The route passes by Žiarska Hut, where you can rest and refill water.
3 · Smrek 2071 m · 9.1 km · 4:39 h	Smrek summit — the end of the route.

ℹ Practical info

🅿 Parking	Mouth of Žiarska Valley — paid car park
💧 Water	Available to refill at Žiarska Hut
🏠 Hut	Žiarska Hut (on the route)
🚡 Cable car	No
❄ Ascent season	1 Nov – 31 May closure
☀ Best time	June — October
🧭 Orientation	Marked trail, the final ridge section below the summit is more demanding and exposed
🎨 Trail marking	🔵 blue (Žiarska Valley, mouth → Žiarska Hut), 🟢 green (→ Žiarske Saddle, via Pod Homôlkou), 🟡 yellow (→ Smrek)
🔄 Descent	Same route back
🔗 Combination	Can be combined with Baranec (shared ridge) or with Plačlivé via Žiarske Saddle — see the Baranec and Plačlivé cards.
🚨 Emergency number	Mountain Rescue Service: 18 300 (or 112)

🎒 Hiking boots

🎒 Trekking poles

🎒 Waterproof jacket

🎒 Water (min. 2 l)

🎒 Food / energy bars

🎒 First aid kit

🎒 Warm layer

🎒 Map / GPS / phone

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.