# Western Tatras

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

The 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

### Climate

The same as in High Tatras applies - the weather can change quickly, so follow forecast and be prepared to descend quickly too.

## Get in

On the Slovak side, 49.2387419.714011 parking Zverovka-Spalená is a good starting point into the heart of the range. The only downside (cannot be avoided though) is the 1-hr walk is needed towards Ťatliakova hut.
* 49.25861119.6127781 Zuberec is a popular town used as entrance/stay-over for tourists.

## Fees and permits

The access is generally free, except for possible small parking fees at ski centers during summer.

## See

* 49.216319.72931 Roháč waterfall (Roháčsky vodopád) (Accessible from Zuberec village). The highest waterfall of the mountain range, it is about 18 meters high. (updated Nov 2017)
* 49.2089519.738012 Roháč lakes (Roháčske plesá). A nice one-day hike. (updated Nov 2017)
Culture:
* 49.106819.80453 Liptov village museum (in Pribylina). A reconstruction of a historical village destroyed while creating Liptovská Mara dam. (updated Nov 2016)
* 49.260719.66124 Orava village museum (Nearby Zuberec). A reconstruction of a historical village. (updated Nov 2016)

## Do

During summer, most common activity is hiking.
* 49.21114819.6421751NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE Sivý Vrch. A very photogenic, though somewhat technically demanding peak. (updated Nov 2017)
* 49.19805619.7108332 Baníkov. Highest peak of the main mountain range ridge. (updated Nov 2017)
During winter, there are multiple ski centers - the bigger ones include Roháče - Spálená and Zuberec.

### Caves

On the Polish side:
* 49.2419.9230563 Jaskinia Wielka Śnieżna. The largest and deepest cave in Poland (updated Nov 2017)
* 49.24083319.86754 Jaskinia Mroźna. Guided and lighted. (updated Nov 2017)
* Self-guided
   * 49.23944419.8622225 Mylna. (updated Nov 2017)
   * 49.23972219.8622226 Raptawicka. (updated Nov 2017)
   * 49.23944419.86257 Obłazkowa. (updated Nov 2017)
   * 49.23794419.8680288 Smocza Jama. (updated Nov 2017)
   * 49.27190619.9426679 Dziura. (updated Nov 2017)
Slovak side:
* 49.25816719.66098310 Brestovská cave. Uniquely features an underground river (not accessible to the public). (updated Nov 2017)

## Eat

There are several huts and areas where hikes can start and end or where you can rest:
On the Slovak side:
* 49.2484319.710651 Zverovka hut. (updated Nov 2016)
* 49.2597719.662712 Brestová. (updated Nov 2016)
* 49.2137619.747443 Ťatliakova chata (Ťatliakova hut). (updated Nov 2016)
* 49.1810919.719554 Žiarska chata (Žiarska hut). (updated Nov 2016)
* 49.2440619.712395 Mountain hotel Osobitá. (updated Nov 2017)
On the Polish side:
* 49.2498419.951716 PTTK Hala Kondratowa. (updated Nov 2016)
* 49.2291319.85887 PTTK Hala Ornak. (updated Nov 2016)
* 49.236419.78798 PTTK at Polanie Chochołowskiej. (updated Nov 2016)
* 49.259819.96699 Mountain hotel PTTK Kalatówki. (updated Nov 2016)

## Go next

The 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.