An easy walk along the yellow trail through the Mlynická Valley to the frozen 25 m high Skok Waterfall — a popular family winter destination that doesn't require continuing into higher, more demanding terrain.
Route length
5.0 km one way
10.6 km round trip
10.6 km round trip
Elevation gain
443 m
Time (one way)
1:45 h
Difficulty*
1/5
Trailhead
Štrbské Pleso (1,346 m a.s.l.)
⚠ summer times — expect significantly longer times in winter snow conditions
📍 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 · Skok Waterfall 1789 m · 5.0 km · 1:45 h | A frozen 25 m high waterfall in the Mlynická Valley — the destination of this winter route. |
ℹ Practical info
| 🅿 Parking | Štrbské Pleso — paid car park |
| 🚻 Toilets | Štrbské Pleso |
| 💧 Water | Bring your own supply — there is no spring on the route |
| 🏠 Hut | None directly on the route |
| 🚡 Cable car | No |
| ❄ Ascent season | Accessible year-round — the waterfall and the trail to it are not subject to the winter closure (which applies only if continuing to Bystré Saddle) |
| ☀ Best time | Year-round, a popular destination in winter for the frozen waterfall |
| 🧭 Orientation | Marked forest trail, gentle climb, no exposed sections |
| 🎨 Trail marking | 🟡 yellow (Štrbské Pleso → Skok Waterfall) |
| 🚨 Emergency number | Mountain Rescue Service: 18 300 (or 112) |
What to bring
🎒 Crampons (at least light ones)
🎒 Trekking poles with snow baskets
🎒 Headlamp (spare battery for early dusk)
🎒 Warm gloves and hat
🎒 Thermos with a hot drink
⚠ What to watch out for
- Weather in the Tatras changes quickly — check the forecast and turn back in a storm.
- Beyond the waterfall the route continues to Bystré Saddle, where there is a high avalanche risk in winter — in winter, turn back from the waterfall.
- The frozen waterfall and surrounding rocks tend to be slippery — do not climb onto the ice or the surrounding rocks, there is a risk of falling ice.
🚨 HZS emergency number: 18 300 (or 112)
⚠ Avalanche forecast (HZS)