Western Tatras
The Western Tatras (Slovak: Západné Tatry; Polish: Tatry Zachodnie) are mountains in the Tatras, part of the Carpathian Mountains, located on the Polish-Slovak borders (Małopolskie and Liptov/Orava regions respectively). The mountains border the High Tatras in the east, Podtatranská kotlina in the south, Choč Mountains in the west and Rów Podtatrzański (Slovak: Podtatranská brázda) in the north. The main ridge is 37 kilometers long and the mountain range contains 31 two-thousanders.
Understand
The Western Tatras are subdivided into 6 regions on the Slovak side and 4 on the Polish side.
Slovak Western Tatras:
- Osobitá (highest point: Osobitá, 1 687 m)
- Sivý vrch (highest point: Sivý vrch, 1 805 m)
- Liptovské Tatry (highest point: Bystrá, 2 248 m)
- Roháče (highest point: Baníkov, 2 178 m), one of the most popular parts of the range
- Červené vrchy (highest point: Kresanica / Krzesanica, 2 122 m)
- Liptovské kopy (highest point: Veľká kopa, 2 122 m)
Polish Western Tatras:
- Grześ
- Kasprowy Wierch
- Czerwone Wierchy (corresponds to Červené vrchy, highest point: Kresanica / Krzesanica, 2 122 m)
- Ornak
Flora and fauna
Climate
The same as in High Tatras applies - the weather can change quickly, so follow forecast and be prepared to descend quickly too.
Get in
On the Slovak side, 🌍 parking Zverovka-Spalená is a good starting point into the heart of the range. The only downside (cannot be avoided though) is the 1-hr walk is needed towards Ťatliakova hut.
Fees and permits
The access is generally free, except for possible small parking fees at ski centers during summer.
Get around
See
- 🌍 Roháč waterfall (Roháčsky vodopád) (Accessible from Zuberec village). The highest waterfall of the mountain range, it is about 18 meters high.
- 🌍
Roháč lakes (Roháčske plesá). A nice one-day hike.
Culture:
- 🌍 Liptov village museum (in Pribylina). A reconstruction of a historical village destroyed while creating Liptovská Mara dam.
- 🌍 Orava village museum (Nearby Zuberec). A reconstruction of a historical village.
Do
During summer, most common activity is hiking.
- 🌍
Sivý Vrch. A very photogenic, though somewhat technically demanding peak.
- 🌍
Baníkov. Highest peak of the main mountain range ridge.
During winter, there are multiple ski centers - the bigger ones include Roháče - Spálená and Zuberec.
Caves
On the Polish side:
- 🌍
Jaskinia Wielka Śnieżna. The largest and deepest cave in Poland
- 🌍
Jaskinia Mroźna. Guided and lighted.
- Self-guided
Slovak side:
- 🌍 Brestovská cave. Uniquely features an underground river (not accessible to the public).
Buy
Eat
There are several huts and areas where hikes can start and end or where you can rest:
On the Slovak side:
- 🌍 Zverovka hut.
- 🌍 Brestová.
- 🌍 Ťatliakova chata (Ťatliakova hut).
- 🌍 Žiarska chata (Žiarska hut).
- 🌍 Mountain hotel Osobitá.
On the Polish side:
Drink
Sleep
Lodging
Camping
Backcountry
Stay safe
Go next
The nearby Slovak mountain ranges Tatra National Park, Low Tatras and Choč Mountains are equally worth a visit - and each one is a completely different kind of mountains.