Western Tatras - mountain range in Europe

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

Ostrý Roháč 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:

Do

During summer, most common activity is hiking.

Caves

On the Polish side:

Slovak side:

Buy

Eat

There are several huts and areas where hikes can start and end or where you can rest:

On the Slovak side:

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.

Western Tatras

Timezone:MultipleCoordinates:49.20, 19.75