Štrbské Pleso | Vysoke Tatry

Information

Landmark: Štrbské Pleso
City: Vysoke Tatry
Country: Slovakia
Continent: Europe

Štrbské Pleso, Vysoke Tatry, Slovakia, Europe

Štrbské Pleso is a glacial lake and high-altitude resort village located at 1,346 meters in the High Tatras of northern Slovakia. It serves as a major hub for alpine skiing, Nordic sports, and serves as the highest-altitude settlement in the country.

Visual Characteristics

The landmark features a 19.76-hectare moraine lake with a maximum depth of 20 meters, surrounded by coniferous forests and granite mountain ridges. The architectural landscape is dominated by the triangular, wood-and-glass Hotel Patria and the nearby FIS ski jumping hills. The water is typically clear with a dark tint due to organic sediment on the granite basin floor.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is the western terminus of the Tatra Electric Railway (TEŽ) and the Cog Railway (OŽ) from Štrba. It is accessed by road via Route 537 or Route 538. A central multi-story parking garage is located at the entrance to the resort, approximately 500 meters from the lake, as private vehicle access to the lakeshore is restricted.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The lake was formed by the melting of a retreating glacier at the end of the Würm glaciation. The settlement was established in 1872 when Jozef Szentiványi built a hunting lodge on the southern bank. It achieved international prominence as a sports center during the 1970 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.

Key Highlights & Activities

Summer activities include rowing on the lake from a dedicated pier on the southern shore and hiking the Tatranská magistrála trail. In winter, the Solisko slopes offer 9km of technical ski runs, and the area maintains the largest cross-country skiing complex in the Tatras. A chairlift provides transport from the sports area to the Chata pod Soliskom at 1,840 meters.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The resort contains a medical clinic, post office, mountain rescue station (HZS), and numerous grocery stores. Public restrooms are located at the railway station and near the rowing pier. High-speed 5G coverage is available throughout the central resort zone. Multiple food vendors and high-capacity restaurants are situated along the pedestrian promenade.

Best Time to Visit

The winter season for skiing operates from December to April. For photography of the Tatra reflection in the lake, early morning during October and November offers the calmest water and clearest atmospheric conditions. Rowing operations are strictly seasonal, typically running from June to September.

Facts & Legends

The lake was almost drained in the mid-19th century by local residents who intended to use the exposed peat for fuel. A verified historical oddity is that the lake has no visible surface inlet or outlet; it is fed and drained by underground seepage through the porous moraine.