Mountain cabin guide: Štrbské Pleso at the High Tatras

Slovakia is a perfect hiking destination. The High Tatras is the biggest mountain range, and there are numerous hikes with a different level of difficulty. Some hikes take a few hours, and some take days. Whether you just want to have a quick pitstop, or you want to spend a night so that you can continue your hike the next morning, there are several mountain cabins on your way. This is a short mountain cabin guide for the ones who start their hike from Štrbské Pleso.

Chata pri Popradskom Plese

The first mountain cabin you will see on your way up is probably Chata pri Popradskom Plese. It is not very difficult to get there, so a lot of people choose this as their destination, during the sunny weather, but it is going to be packed. It is located just an hour from a tram station near a picturesque mountain lake Popradské Pleso. There are two restaurants on the site, serving traditional Slovak food. You can spend a night in the mountain hotel. Prices are starting at 20 euros per night, and you can have your own room with a bathroom. The mountain hotel also has an outdoor sauna.

Chata pod Soliskom

This newly built mountain cabin is located 1840 meters above the sea level. You can choose to reach it by feet or cable car from Štrbské Pleso. The original aim of this place was to provide shelter in bad weather, so the capacity is very limited. This cabin has only 11 beds, so I recommend to secure your spot in advance. You can sleep in a luxury single room, or on the table in the restaurant. No, it is not a joke, you really sleep on the table (with a mattress of course), and it is truly an experience, and actually a comfortable one! Prices start at 20 euros per night.

Chata pod Rysmi

The mountain cabin Chata pod Rysmi is located 2250 meters above the sea level, which makes it the highest cabin, not just from this list, but the highest cabin from all the mountain cabins in Slovakia. It is possible to visit it only during the summer season, so from May till October, otherwise it is covered in snow. It has 20 beds in a shared room, and there can be another 20 beds secured in the emergency cases. Prices start at 16 euros per night. You can also have a little snack there, but if you want a breakfast or a dinner, don't forget to order it in advance. There are no supermarkets 2250 meters above the sea. Oh, and no toilets either :)

Štrbské Pleso is a good starting point for some of the most beautiful hikes in the High Tatras because it is easily accessible with a tramway or a car, and there are also several sports stores, restaurants and hotels for a quick pitstop or a layover. You can choose an easy hike to Popradské Pleso, a moderate hike to Solisko, or a difficult hike to Rysy. I hope this short mountain cabin guide gave you an idea what to expect on your next hike to the High Tatras in Slovakia!