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), 49.2163°, 19.7293°. The highest waterfall of the mountain range, it is about 18 meters high. 2017-11-04
- Roháč lakes (Roháčske plesá), 49.20895°, 19.73801°. A nice one-day hike. 2017-11-16
Culture:
- Liptov village museum, 49.1068°, 19.8045°. A reconstruction of a historical village destroyed while creating Liptovská Mara dam. 2016-11-05
- Orava village museum, 49.2607°, 19.6612°. A reconstruction of a historical village. 2016-11-05
Do
During summer, most common activity is hiking.
- Sivý Vrch, 49.2111477°, 19.6421749°. A very photogenic, though somewhat technically demanding peak. 2017-11-16
- Baníkov, 49.198056°, 19.710833°. Highest peak of the main mountain range ridge. 2017-11-16 During winter, there are multiple ski centers - the bigger ones include Roháče - Spálená and Zuberec.
Caves
On the Polish side:
-
Jaskinia Wielka Śnieżna, 49.24°, 19.923056°. The largest and deepest cave in Poland 2017-11-16
-
Jaskinia Mroźna, 49.240833°, 19.8675°. Guided and lighted. 2017-11-16
-
Self-guided
- Mylna, 49.239444°, 19.862222°. 2017-11-16
- Raptawicka, 49.239722°, 19.862222°. 2017-11-16
- Obłazkowa, 49.239444°, 19.8625°. 2017-11-16
- Smocza Jama, 49.237944°, 19.868028°. 2017-11-16
- Dziura, 49.271906°, 19.942667°. 2017-11-16
Slovak side:
- Brestovská cave, 49.258167°, 19.660983°. Uniquely features an underground river (not accessible to the public). 2017-11-16
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, 49.24843°, 19.71065°. 2016-11-02
- Brestová, 49.25977°, 19.66271°. 2016-11-02
- Ťatliakova chata (Ťatliakova hut), 49.21376°, 19.74744°. 2016-11-02
- Žiarska chata (Žiarska hut), 49.18109°, 19.71955°. 2016-11-02
- Mountain hotel Osobitá, 49.24406°, 19.71239°. 2017-11-04
On the Polish side:
- PTTK Hala Kondratowa, 49.24984°, 19.95171°. 2016-11-06
- PTTK Hala Ornak, 49.22913°, 19.85880°. 2016-11-06
- PTTK at Polanie Chochołowskiej, 49.2364°, 19.7879°. 2016-11-06
- Mountain hotel PTTK Kalatówki, 49.2598°, 19.9669°. 2016-11-06
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.