Hike to Východná Vysoká from Tatranská Polianka

Challenging all-day hike with exposed sections. The starting point of the hike is in Tatranská Polianka where we proceed in the direction of a mountain hotel Sliezsky dom. It’s up to us if we continue with the asphalt road or the forest path (green trail) that cuts through the long winding road. From Sliezsky dom that offers us shelter and refreshment while admiring the picturesque tarn Velické pleso, we climb through a specific veil created by flowing water over a rocky edge called Večný dážď and into a part called Kvetnica. If we start early and have some luck, we can see chamois and marmots. We pass along a tarn Dlhé pleso. From our left side, we are surrounded by the Gerlach massif that extends itself up until a saddleback Poľský hrebeň. Its upper part is exposed and secured with chains. From this point on it takes only 50 min. (yellow trail) to the peak Východná Vysoká. The slightly climbing terrain is rocky and in the second half of the ascent turns into stone rubble. The rewards for our hard work are beautiful views of the valley Veľká Studená dolina and many peaks and summits of the High Tatras.

Total Ascent: 1 439 m

Trail Length: 20 km (10 km, 10 km)

Duration: 8:35 h (4,50 h, 3,45 h)

Terrain: comfortable forest path or asphalt road, stone trail, stone rubble, sporadically exposed terrain secured by chains

Starting point: Tatranská Polianka

Hiking marks: green, yellow