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
editThe 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
editClimate
editThe same as in High Tatras applies - the weather can change quickly, so follow forecast and be prepared to descend quickly too.
Get in
editFees and permits
editThe access is generally free, except for possible small parking fees at ski centers during summer.
Get around
editSee
edit- 1 Roháč waterfall (Roháčsky vodopád) (Accessible from Zuberec village). The highest waterfall of the mountain range, it is about 18 meters high.
- 2 Roháč lakes (Roháčske plesá). A nice one-day hike.
Culture:
- 3 Liptov village museum (in Pribylina). A reconstruction of a historical village destroyed while creating Liptovská Mara dam.
- 4 Orava village museum (Nearby Zuberec). A reconstruction of a historical village.
Do
editDuring summer, most common activity is hiking.
- 1 Sivý Vrch. A very photogenic, though somewhat technically demanding peak.
- 2 Baníkov. Highest peak of the main mountain range ridge.
During winter, there are multiple ski centers - the bigger ones include Roháče - Spálená and Zuberec.
Caves
editOn the Polish side:
- 3 Jaskinia Wielka Śnieżna. The largest and deepest cave in Poland
- 4 Jaskinia Mroźna. Guided and lighted.
- Self-guided
Slovak side:
- 10 Brestovská cave. Uniquely features an underground river (not accessible to the public).
Buy
editEat
editDrink
editSleep
editStay safe
editGo next
editThe 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.