Mid-conference Field Trips

We would like to suggest three different conference trip options. Recommended is the first option (main), the other two are optional and will take place only in case of sufficient interest of the participants.

All trips are on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.

Dunajec river on wooden barges

Zamagurie is the northernmost part of the Spiš region, located north-east of the Tatra Mts. This outwardly harsh and inhospitable region has a unique folk architecture, numerous historical monuments and natural beauties. The symbol of Zamagurie are the Pieniny MtsIts steep rocks are washed by the Dunajec river, which drains water into the Baltic Sea. The white waters of the Dunajec have shaped  a beautiful canyon approximately 9 km long, which is the largest natural canyon in Central Europe.

Alpine lakes in the High Tatras

High mountain hike through Veľká Studená dolina valley from Hrebienok to Zbojnícka chata chalet.

This option is suitable for more hiking oriented participants in adequate physical condition, which are ready to hike for about 3 hours (ca 5.6km) upwards, and overcome about 700 meters of elevation. You will be rewarded with a view of the breathtaking scenery of the Tatra peaks, valleys and glacier remains – pearls of the Tatras – alpine lakes, called “plesá“. And, last but not least, with refreshment at Zbojnícka chata chalet 1960 m asl :-), named after outlaws (outlaw = “zbojník“) who were once frequent in these areas.

More about the second option - Track overview

The trip starts in Starý Smokovec village. A funicular takes you to the tourist point Hrebienok, and then you continue by foot through the 7 km long valley called Veľká Studená dolina (“Great Cold Valley”). It is one of the largest and the most visited valleys on the southern slope of the mountains, with the highest number of alpine lakes (22) out of all Tatra valleys.

During the trip to the Zbojnícka chata chalet you will also enjoy views on the mountain peaks surrounding the valley, which give it a distinctive character – the Prostredný hrebeň, which separates it from the neighbouring Malá Studená dolina valley (“Little Cold Valley”), Javorový štít ridge, Bradavice ridge, or Slavkovský štít massif. Veľký Studený potok (“The Great Cold Creek”) flows through the valley, with the waterfall Vodopády Studeného potoka (“the Cold Creek Falls”) at the very beginning of the hike, near Rainerova chata chalet. After climbing above the dwarf pine line you can see the first alpine ponds: Vareškové pleso and Dlhé pleso. When you overcome the last, but also the steepest section, you will finally be able to refresh and relax – you have reached the chalet :-). At nearby Sesterské pleso lake (1974 m asl) you will learn something about the long-term limnological research of the Tatra lakes and maybe the Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica) will honor you with their visit.

If still not satisfied, you can optionally go further along the path to the mountain saddle Prielom to Zbojnícke plesá lakes or the opposite side leading to Priečne sedlo saddle to Starolesnianske pleso and Sivé plesá lakes (2013 m asl). On the way back you will enjoy views of the settlements and villages in the High Tatra foothills and the neighbouring Low Tatra Mts.

We recommend you to have insurance to the mountains in case you need to use the Mountain Rescue Service, and suitable hiking shoes and clothes.

The Spiš castle

Spiš Castle, watching over the surrounding valley from the top of a travertine hill is one of the largest castles in Central Europe (4 hectars). This National Cultural Monument entered the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993.

Nowadays the castle shelters collections of the Spiš Museum where medieval arms and feudal documents revive history of the region beneath Tatras and the architecture of 12th – 18th centuries.

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