Hikes in Polomka

Day 3 Bacúch, crossroads (Vacok, fork) - Čertovica (Devil's Wedding Pass)

Polomské očko is a 30-meter-tall observation tower above the village of Polomka, offering beautiful views of the Low Tatras and the Muránska Plateau. It takes about 45 minutes to hike up the ski slope to reach it.

With a route length of 16.7 km and 910 m of elevation gain, today’s ride is a bit more leisurely after the rigors of the past few days. We’ll have time to recover in preparation for the two remaining stages. As on previous days, we’ll be traveling through the Low Tatras National Park, established in 1978. In 1997, the protected areas were expanded once again, making it the largest national park in Slovakia by area. During our hike, we cross the imaginary border separating the Western Low Tatras from the Eastern Low Tatras at the Čertovicou mountain pass. At this point, a brief word in favor of long-distance hiking: A long-distance trail always offers the opportunity to push beyond one’s limits. It is a journey into the unknown that leads back to oneself. When you leave your familiar surroundings behind, you look far beyond your own horizons, and that’s when you learn the most about yourself. The 5-day long-distance hiking trail described here is a self-guided introductory course—go for it!> From Chata generála Milana Rastislava Štefánika01 (1,720 m), we pass the SNP monument and begin our day’s hike heading east across the mountain ridge of the Low Tatras, which stretches out before us. We hike mostly above the tree line on the grassy meadows typical of these high altitudes, within the Nízke Tatry National Park. We descend into the realm of the mountain pines to Kumštové sedlo02 (1,549 m). After a series of ups and downs—as is typical in the mountains—we then begin a steady descent to the Čertovica road pass. At this point, our route intersects with Hiking Trail 12. Right by the road here, you’ll find lodging and a restaurant. There are no shopping options here! For a more relaxed, rustic atmosphere away from the noise of the road, head left downhill behind the pass road to Chata pod Čertovicou03 (1,130 m). This comfortable lodging is more like a hotel than a mountain hut.

Stage 4 follows an extremely scenic and fascinating high-altitude trail. On a clear day, you’ll be treated to a magnificent panorama of the High Tatras, with all the major peaks in full view. From left to right: the 2,494-meter-high Kriváň (see Tour 38), the 2,503-meter-high Rysy (see Tour 61), the 2,645-meter-high Gerlachovský štít (Gerlsdorfer Peak, see Tour 49), and the 2,634-meter-high Lomnický štít (Lomnitzer Peak, see Tour 55). The magnificent scenery leaves a lasting impression, especially during the blue hour.> From the Útulňa Ramža 01 lodge (1,290 m), we hike about 125 m southward, where we take the left fork instead of continuing straight down into the valley. On the southern slopes of the main ridge of the Low Tatras, alternating between grassy plateaus and clear-cut areas, we reach the waypoint Havrania polʼana02 (1,400 m). Next comes the ascent toward Homôlʼka (1,660 m), passing to the right of its summit. After another 1.4 km, past the last peak, we climb the hill Zadná holʼa03 (1,619 m); from here, a yellow hiking trail branches off to the north toward the grass-covered summit of Velʼký Bok (see Tour Description 9). We then climb the 1,544-meter-high Oravcová, descend again to the pass of the same name, and hike past the 1,508-meter-high Kolesárová until we make a steep descent to the Priehyba Pass04 (1,140 m). There are several paved roads connecting the southern and northern sides of the Low Tatras. However, the forest road between Hel’pa and Čierny Váh is the only one closed to public traffic.

Bystrá - Horné Lazy - Sedlo Vagnár - Braväcovo - Veľkozelenská dolina - Bacúch

Košice - Bratislava