A rocky triple summit on the main ridge between Smutné Saddle and Hrubá Kopa, one of the more technically demanding destinations in the Roháče. The final section below the summit is secured by chains and requires a good head for exposed terrain.
Route length
8.6 km one way
17.2 km round trip
17.2 km round trip
Elevation gain
1,242 m
Time (one way)
~4:40 h
Difficulty*
4/5
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)
Route breakdown
| 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 · Tri kopy 2136 m · 8.6 km · 4:40 h | Tri kopy 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 | Closed 1 Nov – 31 May |
| ☀ Best time | June — October |
| 🧭 Orientation | Marked trail, exposed rocky sections secured by chains below the summit |
| 🎨 Trail marking | 🔵 blue (Žiarska Valley, mouth → Žiarska Hut → Smutné Saddle), 🔴 red (ridge, Smutné Saddle → Tri kopy) |
| 🔄 Descent | Same route back |
| 🔗 Combination | Can be combined with Plačlivé via Smutné Saddle (also with Baníkov via Hrubá Kopa) — a popular ridge tour from Žiarska Valley, approx. 12–18 km / 8 h in total. |
| 🚨 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.