Tatra Mountains - the highest mountains in Poland Tatra Mountains Morskie Oko Lake Tatra Mountains, the highest mountains in Poland are the only part of Carpathians, that present extremely Alpine characteristics, it means there are five climatic-vegetation belts in the mountains. However, Tatra Mountains differ from the Alps for sure in respect of their lengthiness. At similar peak heights (circa 2300 metres) the mountain range is very short and narrow. The length of Tatra Mountains as the crow flies amounts to 53 kilometres, whereas the length along the main ridge on almost entire length both along the tourist route as well as the border between Poland and Slovakia, 80 kilometres. The width of the Tatra Mountains is “up to” 30 km. On the territory of Slovakia and Polish Podhale there are many places, from which it is possible to admire their full splendour with no difficulty. The impression of fairy-tale character of the scenery and the vastness of the mountains is enhanced by the peculiar geological landscape construction. Both on the southern and on the northern side there are large tectonic valleys, with gentle 1000 meter hills behind them.

Tatra Mountains seen from Podhale and lighted up by the morning sun actually constitutes the most beloved theme for Polish landscape photographers. On the shores of streams, on the outlet of big Tatra valleys, there are both deciduous riparian-type forests as well as beach wood forests with a dash of pine tree. They quickly give place to spruce and fir forests, transforming into a strip of dwarf mountain pine, alternating with rowanberry and lofty Swiss stone pines, subsequently turning into mountain pastures or large meadows used to pasture the sheep and in winter serving as an exzellent ski area. There are no glaciers in Tatra Mountains. On the height where there is actually cold enough during the whole year the slopes are to steep, so that they could hold any larger amounts of snow. The remaining of the ice age is a group of 200 unusually picturesque mountain lakes.

Tatra Mountains | mountain range, Europe | Britannica.com Tatra Mountains Alternative Titles: High Tatras, Tatry Mountains, Tatry Wysokie, Vysoké Tatry Similar Topics Pyrenees Tatra Mountains, also called High Tatras, Slovak Vysoké Tatry, Polish Tatry Wysokie, highest range of the Central Carpathians. The mountains rise steeply from a high plateau and extend for approximately 40 miles (64 km) along the Slovakian-Polish frontier, varying in width from 9 to 15 miles (14 to 24 km). About 300 peaks are identified by name and elevation, the highest being Gerlachovský (or Gerlach ) Peak (8,711 feet [2,655 metres]). Although it has no glaciers or permanent snowfields, the range otherwise resembles the Alps . South of the Váh River valley is the parallel Low Tatra range, rising to Ďumbier (6,703 feet [2,043 metres]). Haystacks in a field, with the the Tatra Mountains in the background, Poland.

© wildman/Fotolia South face of Gerlach Peak, in the High Tatra range of the Carpathian Mountains, Slovakia. GSouthFace The mountain slopes are covered with spruce woodlands to 6,300 feet, above which is an alpine zone. Fauna includes bears, chamois, marmots, and eagles. The Tatras have many high-lying lakes, hanging valleys, and summer and winter sports resorts. With the Slovakian-Polish frontier running along the summits, the area embraces two national parks: Tatra National Park (Poland), occupying 82 square miles (212 square km), and Tatry National Park (Slovakia), occupying 286 square miles (741 square km). The Tatra Mountains, along the Slovakia-Poland border. © slowcentury/Fotolia Tatra Mountains | Tatras Zakopane 12 The Tatras The Tatras are the highest part of the Carpathian mountain range, and for centuries they were Poland's natural border in the south. Arriving in Poland by air, the granite peaks rear up out of the clouds, slashing the skies like the claws of some mythic beast.

Traditionally, the lands beyond here belonged to Hungary , but by the mid-seventeenth century, the Ottoman Empire - Poland's traditional foe - had crept all the way up to the Tatras. As the Sultan's Empire crumbled, the Hungarians moved back in, and they enjoyed warm relations with the Poles. Today, it is the goodly Slovakians who live beyond the mountains, and border skirmishes are not likely to interfere with your hiking trips. The Tatra mountains cover some 785 square kilometres, three quarters of which lie in Slovakia . The highest Polish peak is Mount Rysy, which rises to 2499 metres above sea level. However, the most distinctive peak is Giewont , which is known affectionately as the 'Sleeping Knight'. The Polish part of the Tatras was formally declared a national park in 1955. The lower and middle parts of the range are cloaked in forest. Beechs, which were traditional in this area, are now rarer, being superceded by larches, and above all spruces.

These continue to grow beyond 1250 metres, along with stone pines, and it is in this area that wildlife is at its richest. Deer, wild boar, lynx, wolves and bears are to be found, as well as a great variety of birds and the Apollo butterfly. Higher up, in the rockier areas, live the chamois and the alpine marmot and vole. The golden eagle is now very rare. However, as country dwellers know, it is quite likely that you won't see any mammals at all, as they are shy of humanfolk. In this case you may have to make to do with the slightly surreal stuffed collection in the Tatra Museum . There are rare types of flowers on the starker rock faces, but the richest flowers can be seen in the meadows and down in the valleys, where yellow crocuses form carpets in Spring. It is in the valleys too, that you can discover the caves. These are a very popular aspect of the Tatras, and steeped in legend. Much like the English band of Robin Hood, the region was once inhabited by outlaws - the famed 'zbojnicki'.

Seven caves are open to the public, six of which lie in the beautiful Koscieliska valley. Another popular feature of the range are the lakes, most famously the vast Morskie Oko , the 'Eye of the Sea.' For skiers, the Kasprowy Wierch Peak is serviced by cable-car, and there are chairlifts in the Goryczlowa and Gasienicowa valleys. For hikers, there are 250 kilometres of trails in the park, ranging from leisurely strolls to hair-raising ascents for serious climbers. Entrance to the valleys is possible by bus, but from there you must continue on foot to the heart of the Tatras. Mountain bikes are permitted only on a few paths. Owing to the unpredictability of Mother Nature, there are basic safety precautions which are essential to bear in mind. With the collapse of the Iron Curtain, border relations are now freer than ever. Thus for dedicated hikers, the opportunity to explore the region in depth is very much an option. Poles are the first to say how wonderful the Slovakian Tatras are, and it's well worth bearing this in mind if you want to get a full flavour of this wild region.

A sample of Tatra beauty is found below: Tatra Mountains, Slovakia & Poland Slovakia & Poland Introduction The authors received a scholarship from SAIA for geological research in Slovakia with our colleague Juraj Janocko from the Technical University of Ko�ice. We also cooperated with colleagues from the Polish Geological Institute, Warszawa and Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan. Thus, we had the opportunity to spend six weeks in July and August 2007 conducting kite aerial photography in the Tatra Mountain vicinity. Our primary goal was to document with low-height, oblique imagery the typical landscapes of the Tatra Mountains and especially the surrounding foothills and foreland regions. Our home base was the village of trba (red square), west of Poprad and south of the Tatra Mountains. Map adapted from CIA World Factbook . The Tatra Mountains are located along the border of Slovakia and Poland, part of the Carpathian Mountain system. The Carpathians form a long arc of ranges through northern Slovakia and southernmost Poland, continuing into the western Ukraine and Romania.

The High Tatras, or Vysok� Tatry, reach elevations greater than 2600 m (8500 feet), supported by upthrust granite. The two highest mountains in Slovakia are Gerlachovsky �tit (2654 m) and Lomnicky �tit (2634 m); the highest peak in Poland is Rysy (2500 m). Much of the Tatra mountain region is protected in national parks on both sides of the Polish-Slovak border. The Tatra Mountains are extremely popular for tourists both in the summer and winter. In summer, visitors enjoy the mountain scenary and relatively cool weather. In winter, skiing and ski jumping are primary activities. Both domestic and foreign tourism have grown rapidly since Poland and Slovakia gained independence and joined the European Union. A construction boom for hotels, highways, recreational facilities, and private housing is underway in the Tatra region. Nonetheless both countries are keenly aware of the need to balance economic development and environmental protection. Mountains are risky places.

In the spring of 2004, for example, a severe wind storm blew down a large portion of the conifer forest in the Tatransk� Podhorie zone on the foreland of the Vysok� Tatry in Slovakia. After considerable debate, a decision was made to salvage the downed timber to minimize insect infestation of the damaged forest. Thus a broad zone along the southern flank of the Tatras is now open; fireweed has established quickly, and eventually the forest will regenerate. Such events happen every few decades. The opening of the forest is an opportunity for geologists to study the landforms better. Back to top . Kite aerial photography We flew a large rokkaku kite for lighter wind and a Sutton Flowform 16 for stronger wind--see kites . In the foreland areas at elevations below 1000 m, flying conditions were relatively routine. In the mountains at higher elevations (>1000 m), however, wind was often quite variable, and lifting ability was diminished in thinner air--see high-altitude KAP . Updrafts, downdrafts, and sudden changes in wind direction or speed made for tricky kite flying!

The authors with our Slovak colleagues, from left: Juraj Janocko, J.S. Aber, Branislav Fricovsky and S.W. Aber. We conducted kite aerial photography under various wind and lighting conditions, revisiting some sites more than once to acquire pictures under different conditions or times of day. However, many days were cloudy, rainy, or lacked sufficient wind. So the number of good flying days was limited. All the following pictures were taken with Canon S70 and SD600 cameras--see camera rigs . Back to top . Slovak Tatras For purpose of this presentation, the Slovak Tatras may be divided into three sectors: Z�padn� (western) Tatry, also known as Liptovsk� Tatry; Vysok� (high) Tatry in the middle; and Belianske Tatry to the northeast. The following sites are arranged generally from west to east along the southern flank of the Tatras. Each site is identified by the name of a nearby village, geographic features are marked on some images, and the approximate elevation of each flying site is indicated.

Pribylina, Z�padn� Tatry (825 m) This site is quite close to the mountain front. View toward the north showing mostly forested lower slopes of the Z�padn� Tatry. View toward the northwest. �D = �zka dolina (valley), and Baranec (B) peak (2185 m) is visible in the left background. Northeastern view showing the the High Tatras in the distance. K = Kriv�n peak (2495 m) at the western end of the High Tatras. V�chodn�, Z�padn� Tatry (790 m) Wide-angle view toward the northeast with Vysok� Tatry in the background and foreland of the Z�padn� Tatry in the near scene. Closer view toward northeast. K = Kriv�n peak (2495 m) and G = Gerlachovsky �tit (2654 m). Notice the flock of sheep grazing in lower left pasture. Northward view toward the Z�padn� Tatry.

�D = �zka dolina (valley) and B = Bystra (2248 m), the highest peak in this sector of the Tatras, near the Slovak-Polish border. Looking toward the southeast, the village of V�chodn� is visible beyond national highway 1 (E50). Southward view with N�zke (lower) Tatry ranges silhouetted on the horizon. Shepards direct a flock of sheep across a pasture. Numerous sheep bells made a delightful sound as the flock moved along. Kite flyers in lower left corner. Va�ec, Vysok� Tatry (905 m) View northeast toward the main mass of the High Tatra Mountains. Hazy conditions render the peaks barely visible in the distance. View toward northwest showing new "autobahn" style highway (E50) under construction. The goal is to complete this highway in three years linking Ko�ice in eastern Slovakia to Bratislava in the west. View toward the northeast on a relatively clear day in the late afternoon.

S = Satan peak (2422 m), G = Gerlachovsky �tit (2654 m) and L = Lomnicky �tit (2634 m). �P = �trbsk� Pleso and T� = Tatransk� �trba. Arrow (>) indicates the ski jump at �trbsk� Pleso. Northward view showing the western end of the High Tatras. K = Kriv�n peak (2495 m), which marks the western summit of the High Tatras. Late afternoon view toward east along the Poprad depression. The village of �trba appears in the middle distance (see map above). Panoramic view created by stitching together two Canon Elph images using D Joiner. Compare with single images above. Gerlachov, Vysok� Tatry (850 m) Northward view to the central portion of the High Tatras. HH = Hotel Hubert, TP = Tatransk� Polianka, and GS = Gerlachovsky �tit (2654 m), the highest peak in the Tatras.

Wide-angle view toward the west showing the broad foreland slope on the southern (left) side of the mountains. Notice the pinkish-purple zone in the middle distance. This is fireweed in the area of forest blow down. Closer view of pink-purple fireweed blooming in the forest blow-down zone in the vicinity of Tatransk� Polianka. Common Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) is among the first plants to become established in conifer forests damaged by fire, wind, or insects. Wide-angle view toward the northeast. SS = Star� Smokovec and LS = Lomnicky �tit (2634 m), the second highest peak in the Tatras. Nov� Lesn�, Vysok� Tatry (720 m) Village of Nov� Lesn� (NL) in scene center with the High Tatras behind. SS = Slavkovsky �tit (2452 m) and LS = Lomnicky �tit. Wide-angle view toward the west showing agricultural landuse on the lower foreland slope of the mountains. Wide-angle view toward the northeast of Nov� Lesn�.

Star� Lesn�, Vysok� Tatry (780 m) Wide-angle view toward the west. Notice the broad terraces that slope downward from the mountains toward the south (left). SL = Star� Lesn� and SS = Slavkovsky �tit. View northeastward showing part of the International Golf Course along highway 540 near Vel'k� Lomnica. Closeup showing part of the International Golf Course with numerous sand traps and water hazards. View toward southwest with the Low Tatra Mountains, N�zke Tatry, visible on the distant horizon. Kite flyers in lower left corner of scene. Northward view toward High Tatras. SS = Slavkovsky �tit, VSD = Vel'k� Studen� dolina (valley) and LS = Lomnicky �tit. Closeup view of hotels and observatories near Tatransk� Lomnica. Notice the ski jump marked by arrow (>) just right of scene center. View toward west, showing once again the long slope of the foreland toward the south (left) of mountains. SS = Slavkovsky �tit and SM = Star� Smokovec.

Wide-angle view to the northeast. LS = Lomnicky �tit, TL = Tatransk� Lomnica and BL = Belianske Tatry, the White Tatras. Panoramic view created by stitching together two Canon Elph images using D Joiner. Field of view spans ~140� from west (left) to northeast (right). Compare with single images above. Str�ne pod Tatrami, Vysok� Tatry (665 m) Wide-angle view looking toward the northwest. S� = Slavkovsky �tit (2452 m), L� = Lomnicky �tit (2634 m), and BT = Belianske Tatry, beyond which �diar is situated. Villages of Str�ne pod Tatrami (ST) to left and Mlynceky (M) to right. View westward emphasizing the sloping foreland on the southern (left) side of the Vysok� Tatry. The dark brown patch just below scene center is manure that was spread on the field while we conducted KAP--the smell was unmistakable! Meticulous agricultural land use is evident in this view toward the east.

Intricate agricultural landscape patterns near Str�ne pod Tatrami. �diar, Belianske Tatry (1040 m) View toward the east from the high end of the village looking down the valley. The village is long and narrow, following the valley bottom. Closeup view of houses and farms at the upper end of the village. Parking area for ski lifts at the upper end of the village. Belianske Tatry shadowed in background. This site is just above 1000 m (3300 feet) in elevation. �diar is favored especially by Polish and Hungarian tourists for relatively easy skiing. Back to top . Polish Tatras Poland has a much smaller portion of the Tatras compared with Slovakia. All the following sites were taken in the vicinity of Zakopane along the northern and northeastern margin of the High Tatras. They are arranged in order of increasing elevation, as indicated. Names come from local villages or prominent geographic features. Toporowa Cyrhla (910 m) Overview of Zakopane region looking toward the southwest.

G = Giewont (1894 m), N = Nosal ski run, S = Skocznia ski jumps, Z = Zakopane centrum, K = Koscielisko. Overview of Zakopane region looking toward the west. Z = Zakopane centrum, G = Gubal�wka hill, O = village of Olcza. View northward with agricultural landuse in the foreground and the Bialy (White) Dunajec River valley in the distance. P = Poronin. View toward south with village of Toporowa Cyrhla in front of the forest in the center distance. Near vertical view of landfill at Zoni�wka, north of Cyrhla. An older, filled section to upper right; new portion under construction to lower left. Recycling of plastics, tires and other materials takes place here also. The authors with our Polish colleagues, from left: Maria G�rska-Zabielska, Ryszard Zabielski, J.S. Aber and S.W. Aber. Notice the hot spot (bright patch) to left indicated by arrow (>). The shadow of the camera rig appears at the center of the hot spot.

For more explanation, see opposition effect . Rusinowa Polana (1240 m) View toward the south up the Bielovodska Dolina (BD) into Slovakia. This valley displays the classic features of a glaciated alpine valley--steep side walls and rounded valley floor. Eastward view into Slovakia. LP =Lysa Polana and BT = Belianske Tatry. The Belianske Tatry are composed largely of limestone. Closeup view toward the east. The edge of Rusinowa Polana (RP) can be seen in the lower left corner. HP = Hotel Polana, LP =Lysa Polana. Skupni�w Uplaz (1380 m) The authors with Polish colleagues, from left: Maria G�rska-Zabielska, Andrzej Iwanow, Ryszard Zabielski, J.S. Aber and S.W. Aber. We are flying from a narrow ridge next to a popular mountain trail (see next image). Trail up the side of Skupni�w Uplaz ridge. Z = Zakopane and N = Nosal. F indicates a forest zone damaged by a wind storm.

View to northwest with Skupni�w Uplaz (SU) ridge in the right foreground and Giewont (G) peak on the left horizon. PK = Polana Kalat�wki. Closeup view of people on the trail. Kopa Kr�lowa Wielka (1530 m) View toward northeast. KM = Kopieniec Maly, KW = Kopieniec Wielki, SW = Suchy Wierch and KP = Kr�lowa Polana. This was our highest KAP site, just over 5000 feet elevation. View toward the southeast. Z�lta Turnia (ZT) peak is 2087 m elevation, and to its right is the Gasienicowa Dolina (GD) valley. On far right can be seen the trail to Hala Gasienicowa. Koszysta ridge exceeds 2100 m elevation, and the Belianske Tatry (BT) can be seen in the far left background. Herbik (H) is a lateral moraine formed by a glacier in Dolina Suchej Wody (valley), which is largely hidden just beyond Herbik.

View toward the northwest over Skupni�w Uplaz (SU) ridge. The marked site was used for KAP (see above). K = Krokiew, DJ = Dolina Jaworzynka, Z = Zakopane, N = Nosal. Panoramic view created by stitching together two Canon Elph images using D Joiner. Compare with single images above. Other KAP sites in Slovakia Koj�ovsk� hol'a (1246 m) Koj�ovsk� hol'a is a peak in the Volovsk� vrchy mountain range near Ko�ice in southeastern Slovakia (see map above). The Slovak word hol'a refers to a bare hill top, which in this case is the location of a meteorological observatory. This site was the highest KAP locality for us in Slovakia. The mountain range is composed largely of metamorphic rock, such as schist and phyllite, and is noted for minerals and ores including iron, copper, silver and gold. Active mining continues today. We conducted KAP on a day that was hot, hazy and windless in nearby lowlands. However, the mountain top had plenty of cool wind.

The large rokkaku flew like a tiger, lifting the Canon S70 rig easily. We positioned ourselves immediately downwind from the observatory and away from numerous instrument towers that could pose a hazard to our kite. Overview of the meteorological observatory and the bare top of Koj�ovsk� hol'a. The point shown with arrow (<) is the high spot with markers and a hiker sign-in book. Kite flyers in lower right portion of view. View toward south showing the access road to the observatory. This road is closed to vehicles, but is open for public walking and bicycling. The whole area is used for skiing in the winter. Westward view over forested mountain ranges. On left is a hotel that is undergoing renovation; this is where we parked to walk up to the observatory. View northward. J = active mines in the vicinity of Jaklovce, K = village of Koj�ov, Ms = Murovana skala, a cliff of Mesozoic carbonate rocks. Strong hot spot appears in the lower left corner of this view. This lighting condition is often quite remarkable over conifer forest. For more explanation, see opposition effect .

Kite flyers at top-center of scene next to a small alpine meadow. The path marked with arrows (>) is used for the Ko�ice bicycle marathon. Numerous other trails and paths cross the meadow. Closeup, vertical view of vegetation in the meadow. Notice diagonal paths crossing at left side of scene. Horn�d River floodplain We spent two days acquiring oblique and vertical pictures at three sites on the floodplain of the Horn�d River south of Ko�ice, near the villages of Sena and Kechnec. At this point, the river forms the border between Slovakia and Hungary. Our intent was to discover and document the nature of channels on the floodplain. This area does flood frequently, most recently only two years ago. At less than 200 m elevation, this was the lowest KAP site for us in Slovakia. The floodplain is utilized in three ways: extracting of sand and gravel, pumping ground water, and growing crops. Of the latter we observed corn, sunflowers, and hay fields. However, all these enterprises are subject to damage during flooding. View toward the north showing the meander belt of the Horn�d River. The river channel is marked by trees.

Village of Valaliky in the center distance. Looking over the Horn�d River in foreground toward the southeast. All of the area beyond the river lies in Hungary. Overview of a large meander loop of the Horn�d River, which flows from left to right in this scene. Note agricultural land use within the loop. Kite flyers in lower right corner. Closer view of large meander loop. Overflow flood channels (c) cut across the narrow neck of the loop. Northward view showing shallow channels (c) on the floodplain next to the Horn�d River (under trees on the right side). These channels show obvious evidence of recent scouring and erosion during flood events. The white building is a water well. View toward the southwest showing overflow channels (c) leading toward a large lake in the distance. This lake was created artifically by exploiting sand and gravel beneath the floodplain. Lone cottonwood tree stands beside a channel (c) across the floodplain study area. The dark stripes in the field are plant remains from hay mowing. Near-vertical view of overflow channel with a double bend on the floodplain. The channel is marked by differences in soil and vegetation cover.

JJ standing near center, SWA to right side. Near-vertical view of overflow channel at the lone cottonwood tree. JJ standing to left, SWA to right side. Near-vertical view of overflow channel curving across the floodplain. JJ standing to left, SWA to right side. Near-vertical view of a water-well structure. The white well house stands on a raised mound to protect it from flooding. JJ and SWA at far left side of scene. Closeup vertical view of tractors parked next to water well; the farmers are taking a lunch break. Beckov Hrad The V�h River is the longest in Slovakia, extending from the Tatra Mountains to the Danube River at Kom�rno. The valley of this river was defended with a series of castles dating from the 12th century, which marked the western border of Hungary. Beckov Hrad (castle) is a prime example, situated on a rock knob along the eastern side of the valley a few miles southwest of Trenc�n (see map above). Later the castle came under the ownership of local dukes, and it was expanded several times during the 14th through 16th centuries.

The castle withstood a Turkish siege in 1599. A fire in 1729 destroyed the castle, and it was never rebuilt. Now it is a national monument open to tourists. Kite aerial photography was accomplished on a hot day with extremely light southerly wind using a large rokkaku kite (without tail) and the Canon Elph camera rig. We flew from a small hill top southeast of the castle. Overview of Beckov castle, village, and the V�h River valley looking toward the west. Beckov Hrad details. E = entrance to the castle, L = lower courtyard, C = renaissance chapel, J = Jewish cemetery outside the castle. Closeup view of Beckov Hrad built on a pinnacle of Triassic dolostone above the village. View toward the southwest over the village of Beckov with the V�h River valley in the background. Entrance to the castle is visible in lower right corner. Northward view along the eastern side of the V�h River valley. Summer cottages and gardens appear on the hill slope to right-center of scene. Other KAP site in Poland Torfowisko In Polish, the word "torf" refers to peat.

Torfowisko is a wetland complex underlain by peat near Czarny Dunajec. The area is part of an extensive, poorly drained basin north of the Tatra Mountains. On our first visit, we had sun but not enough wind for KAP. For a second visit, there was barely enough wind to lift the Canon Elph camera rig with a large rokkaku kite, but mostly cloudy sky. Overview of public nature trail in a bog complex. In the foreground is a wet hollow covered with heather, blueberries, sedge, rush, and moss--typical bog vegetation. The forested background is a raised hummock with peat (P) exposed along the hummock edge. Linear patterns reflect drainage and mowing in the wet hollow portion of the bog. Moving a herd of sheep from grazing in the bog to a corral for milking and shearing. Sheep cheese is produced in a smokehouse nearby. Tatras Mountains - TravelZenith TravelZenith Leave a reply The Tatra Mountains, located on the border of Poland and Slovakia, they are the only alpine-types mountains in Poland, it means there are five climatic-vegetation belts in the mountain.

They are the highest mountain range in the Carpathian Mountains. Štrbské Pleso is a place at the Tatra mountains where people can stay. They cover just 785 square kilometres (303 sq mi) , of which about 610 square kilometres (236 sq mi) lie within the slovakian border and about 175 square kilometres (68 sq mi) (22.3% ) on the territory of Poland. Still they have a true fell of mountains, rising to the highest elevation at 2655 m , (8710 ft) Gerlach, on the slovakian side. The overall nature of the tatras, together with their easy accessibility , makes them a favourite with tourists and researchers. Therefore, these mountains are famous for winter sports, with resorts such as Zakopane, also known as” Winter Capital of Poland”. Credit: Jarosław Pocztarski Climate of Tatras Mountains The climate here is that of mountains of temperate zone, and these are marked as the high mountain features. For 7-8 months, snow covers the higher slopes, ridges and peaks.

The average speed of the wind on the summits is 6 m/s. Foehn winds are mostly occurs between October and May. They are very warm and dry and cause damage. The maximum speed of the wind could be 288 km/h (179 mph). In winter temperature may goes to -40 °C and in summers it may go to 33 °C . Vegetation Perhaps the peculiar landscape constructed over there is the impression of any fairy-tale scenery. The most important feature of Tatra landscape is the vertical zonation of vegetation type. On the Southern as well as on the Northern sides there are large tectonic valleys, with higher hills behind them. When Tatra mountain is seen from Podhale & lightened with morning sun rays, it is considered as the most beloved theme for Poland. Credit: PolandMFA On the shores of big tatra valleys, there are both deciduous riparian as well as beach wood forests with a dash of pine tree. Spruce is the most important trees where as there are also beeches, firs & arolla pines.

Credit: Nicholas_T A typical Tatra plant forms its own vegetational layer which is known as dwarf mountain pine, there we also could find gentians, edelweiss & crocuses , that land turns into mountain pastures or large meadows , which is used to pasture the sheeps and in winters it is used as an excellent ski area. The mountains in valley are covered with snow for whole of the year. Credit: familymwr Fauna The Tatra Mountains are home to many species of animals like brown bear, chamois, alpine marmot , lynx, golden eagle, wolf, red deer, wild boar etc. Activities to be done at Tatras Mountains At Tatra Mountains skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking are the most common and highly adventurous activities are to be done. People love to do these activities with their friend and family. Tatra Mountains Tatra Mountains Tags: #weekend , #with family , #Nature Edit tags The Tatra Mountains, the highest mountains in Poland, make up part of the Carpathian Mountain range. They exhibit extreme Alpine characteristics and also have five climatic vegetation belts. However, the Tatra Mountains differ from the Alps with regard to their length.

Even though they both have similar peak heights (around 2300 metres) the Tatra Mountains are much shorter and narrower. Their length, as the crow flies, is only about 53km, whereas their length measured along its main ridge from end to end, along a tourist route which bisects the border between Poland and Slovakia is 80km. The width of the Tatra Mountains is only 30km. From both Slovakia and the Polish Podhale there are many locations from which it is possible to admire the full splendour of this mountain range. The impression that is made by the fairy-tale character of their scenery and the vastness of these mountains is enhanced by their peculiar geological landscape. On both the southern and the northern slopes there are large tectonic valleys formed between gentle 1000 metre high hills. The Tatra Mountains, as seen from Podhale and illuminated by the morning sun, are one of the most beloved themes for Polish landscape photographers. On the banks of mountain streams which run through the large Tatra valleys, there are both deciduous riparian as well as beach wood forests with a scattering of pine trees.

They quickly give way to spruce and fir forests, which transform into areas of dwarf mountain pine, alternating with rowanberry and lofty Swiss Stone pines. These subsequently give rise to the vast mountain pastures and large meadows that have always been used as sheep pastures but in the winter serve as an excellent ski area. There are no glaciers in the Tatra Mountains. At the altitude, where it is usually cold enough all the year round, the slopes are far too steep to support any larger volumes of ice and snow. The only remnants of the ice age are the more than 200 stunningly picturesque mountain lakes. Because the entire region of the mountains is protected, in both Poland and Slovakia, as national parks it is only possible to cross the mountain ridges in the summer on foot or in the winter on skis. It is however possible to circle the Tatra Mountains by bicycle. This cycle route is about 230km long and because of its stunning views is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. The Tatra Mountains have been one of the most popular destinations of hikers for more than 150 years.

On both the Polish and Slovak sides, the network of tourist mountain shelters and ski facilities has been well developed over the years. Below are some useful websites with the most popular Polish shelters which can be used to make reservations directly or for planning your routes into the mountains. Of most interest for skiing enthusiasts is the recently modernized cable-car railway from Zakopane to "Kasprowy Wierch" as well as the other smaller ski-lift complexes found at "Dolina Goryczkowa" and "Hala Gasienicowa". The facilities available here for skiers are some of the best in the world. Because of the ongoing efforts to protect the natural environment and the high degree of difficulty of the terrain, walking in the mountains is exclusively restricted to the trails designated by the administrative organisations of the respective national parks. As everywhere, mountainous regions can be very treacherous. Even though the mountain rescue service in the Tatra Mountains is very well organized, accidents do happen each year. Visitors should bear in mind that the trails on Slovak side of the Tatra Mountains are closed in winter.

It should only take a glance at the map of Tatra Mountains to notice that the valleys and other features on either side of the main ridge of the Tatra Mountains have similar sounding names. In spite of the fact that the Tatra Mountains have been divided by a political border for as long as anyone can remember, the people dwelling Poland and those of historical "Upper Hungary" have always been very close. To this day the highlanders from Slovakia have a similar dialect and have a very similar approach in all aspects of life and the economy as their counterparts in Poland. Regional, characteristic food products from the Tatra Mountains are the smoked ewe's milk cheese "Oscypek" and "Bunc" a curd-type cheese also made from ewe's milk. Traditional handicraft products from the region are hand-made shoes called "Kierpce" made from sheepskin and lined with wool. These shoes have pointed toes and are traditionally worn by the Polish highlanders with their elegant woolly tunics and trousers. One of the key attractions of Zakopane, the Polish capital of the Tatra Mountains and the Podhale Region, is the unique culture of the Goral people.

The Goral way of life derives from Polish, Slovak, Hungarian and even Balkan influences. Goral music is one of their most distinctive achievements. Despite modern pressures, many Gorals have maintained their customs, dialect and traditional costume. Obviously, Gorals do not wear their traditional garb all the time, but enjoy putting it on for festivals and official occasions. Older men often still wear Goral hats, white trousers and black jackets as their everyday wear, but add modern garments like patterned sweaters, fleeces and polyamide jacket. Goral songs and dances are an integral part of folk ceremonies. They can be enjoyed during regional band performances, which play an important role in maintaining local folklore. Long may it continue! Regional events Białka Tatrzańska, Ceper, Ceperka and Harnaś of the Year Pageant This two-day fete takes place during the summer season. The Ceper and Ceperka of the Year are usually selected on the first day — these are visitors from outside the region who spend their vacation time immersed in mountain culture. The competition is based on tasks such as timed backpack packing, which requires quite some cleverness. During the second day, young Gorals compete for the Harnaś title.

This also requires outstanding skill, both in terms of fitness and intellect. And sharp wits too. Zakopane, The Great Antique Fair Every year antiquaries from all over the country come to Zakopane. Visitors can see enchanting collections of antiques, or participate in bidding. The selection is hugely diverse: from stamps and coins, through porcelain and cutlery, up to antique furniture and icons. International Mountain Folklore Festival One of Poland and Europe’s oldest and largest folklore events. The first event took place in 1935, as the Mountain Holiday, and took on the form of a competition from the start. Now, the festival is attended by approximately 500 mountain bands from 60 countries and five continents. As well as Slovak, French, Hungarian and Spanish mountain peoples, it featured bands from such remote places as Tibet, West Papua, Mongolia, Israel and India. Zakopane Days A series of cultural and entertainment events, taking place at the Dolna Równia Krupowa in Zakopane, and in Zakopane’s museums and galleries. Quite an attraction for both tourists and Zakopane inhabitants.

Tatra Twigs A series of events to promote Tatra Mountain culture, during which the five local communities present everything they have to offer to visitors. Events include: the Oscypek Festival in Zakopane, the Trout Celebration and Wybór Nojśwarniyjsyj Górolecki (Goral Beauty Pageant) in Biały Dunajec, the Ceper, Ceperka, and Harnaś of the Year Pageant in Białka Tatrzańska, the Święto Lasu — Tatrzańsko Watra (Forest Celebration) in Siwa Polana, the Bear, Honey and Beekeeper’s Celebration in Poronina, and Osod w Nowym Bystrym in Nowe Bystre. International Organ Festival This festival has been held in Zakopane for the last 5 years. Every year the festival is accompanied by a charity campaign. After every concert, donations are collected for the Hospice of the Merciful Jesus (already well known to music lovers) and for St. Albert’s Kitchen in Zakopane. This festival is perceived as one of Zakopane’s most important cultural events and is very popular among locals and visitors.

Great Tatra Mountain May Days This event takes place at the foot of Mount Gubałówka. Regional bands perform and visitors can taste Goral cuisine, take part in bicycle races, watch displays by local carpenters and blacksmith, and enjoy many other events. This event also involves neighbouring communities, e.g. from Kościelisko. Bukowina Tatrzańska, Community Fete "U Zbiegu Trzech Kultur — Lindada" (At the Concurrence of three Cultures) The Community Fete is an annual outdoor event celebrating the diversity of cultures (Podhale, Spisz, Romany) in Bukowina Tatrzańska. It features Goral bands, games of various kinds and communal revels and barbeques. Bukowina Tatrzańska Community Cultural Achievement Review This review takes place in the Bukowina Culture Centre and features young storytellers, recitals, singers, instrumentalists and regional Bukowina Tatrzańska bands. Podhale Music Competition This competition promotes Podhale music and, in particular, the musical tradition of Bukowina Tatrzańska’s famous lead violinist — Bronisława Dziadoń-Konieczna.

Sabał Storytelling A national competition of storytellers, instrumentalist, singers, pytace (wedding inviters), and wedding speeches. Sabałowe Bajania were born out of the Podhale tradition of storytelling, dancing, singing and Goral music. It was first held in 1967. Today they are extremely popular and accompanied by Sabałowa Night (Sabał Night) — an outdoor event conducted in the "Pod skocznią" area featuring many attractions for guests and visitors. Regional Folklore Regional dishes. After mountain climbing, hiking or skiing, nourishing and abundant Goral cuisine is just perfect. It is the result of centuries of difficult conditions. What was once a necessity is a unique delicacy today. Discover the best-known dishes. Kwaśnica The most popular Goral dish. Pickled cabbage, the base ingredient for kwaśnica, used to be pickled whole and flattened with the bare feet. The base for this soup is cabbage juice, which is responsible for its unique, sour taste. It also contains meat: mutton or pork. Kwaśnica is most often served with potatoes or bread.

Podhale ewe’s milk cheese Its history dates back to the 16th century and is associated with the culture of the Vlach shepherds of the Carpathian Mountains. The name of this ewe’s milk cheese comes from the Romanian word ‘brinze.’ It is a lumpy, whitish-cream with a paste-like consistency. Its taste is spicy and sometimes a little sour. It owes its taste to the natural ingredients used in its production — primarily sheep’s milk (the cow’s milk content should never exceed 40 percent). Podhale’s bryndza was the first Polish food to be registered as a unique regional food by the European Commission. It can only be produced in the region specified by the document. Oscypek Hard smoked cheese, made from salted sheep’s milk, is typical of Podhale and its neighbourhood. Made from May to September it should be consumed before October. Oscypek is Podhale’s most widely recognised product today. Visitors from other parts of Poland, and from abroad, cannot imagine a stay without at least tasting it. Oscypek production is a long process.

It involves milking sheep, then adding rennet to milk filtered through linen (which makes a cheese mass ready to be formed) and then soaking the formed cheese in brine. Brine also performs a function of an anti-bacterial agent. After seasoning, oscypek is smoked over pine or spruce wood. Ornamenting cheese is another important tradition. This is done in a wooden mould called an oscypiorka. Oscypek is a Polish regional product protected under EU law. As with Podhale’s bryndza, it has received Protected Designation of Origin status. Moskols Pies baked on a metal sheet. This dish appeared in Podhale during World War I, brought here by Russian POWs called "moskols". The base ingredients are: cooked and ground potatoes, flour, water, salt and, sometimes, an egg. The dough is formed into an oval, then baked on a lightly heated metal sheet – today this is often a frying pan or a grill. Moskols are served covered with crackling, with sauces, with garlic butter, and alongside meat. A low-fat version is served with buttermilk, kefir or yoghurt.

Goral Tea A drink served only to those of legal age made with tea, sugar and spirits. In place of spirit, cherry liqueur is often used (so called women’s tea), or rum or clear vodka. Bioła polewka With “gałuszki” — a nourishing stock made of vegetables and smoked meat, with milk, sour cream and small dumplings. Music Gorals have musical talent running in their blood. They are known not only for their singing, but also for their unique melodies. They learn at a very young age. Band composition — Pryma (Prime) A Goral band is composed of four musicians. The lead musician (prime) is the most respected, and is responsible for playing the leading tune. It’s the prime, and his/her musical individuality, that shapes the character of the entire band. It’s also the prime who usually selects the music. In the old Goral dialect, "music" (masculine) means the lead musician. Primes can replace any musician within the band, if needed, and has one or two "przeręcacy" available (replacement musicians). A Goral violinist usually keeps the violin on their shoulder or chest.

This makes playing easier, since usually only 3 out of 4 strings are used. Sekunda (Second) The second violin is simply called "second". This violin fills the void between the melody played by the prime and the rhythmical, bass background. Together with the latter, they form the rhythm section and the instrumental Goral accompaniment. That is why every second should be able to replace the bassist. When playing second, musicians keep the violin low on their chest, so that playing the lower strings is easier. Bass According to Goral musicians, it is easiest to learn to play bass, because it only requires knowledge of a few basic rhythms and melodic schemes. A virtuoso performance is not required — all the strings are pressed together using flat fingers. The instrument looks like a small double bass, without the stern. Strings are made from sheep intestines. Similar to the violin or gęśle (primitive fiddles), they’re made using ash, sycamore or spruce wood.

Music then and now Historically, bands were made up of bagpipes (called a ‘koza’), a pipe or ‘gęśle’ and a primitive fiddle (a folk violin, approximately 2 feet in length) used to play the primary melody (prime). However, Tytus Chałubiński (one of the first researchers of Tatra Mountain culture, a doctor and professor of pathology) was often accompanied in his travels by a band composed of a flute, a clarinet and primitive fiddles. However, he was most often accompanied by the Bartuś Obrochta band, which was made up of 2 violins (prime and second), and a bass. The group was sometimes joined by a gęśle or a flute. In the 19th century, bands were made up of violins and a bass. In the 20th century, the composition was modified to include 3 violins (prime and 2 seconds) and a bass. A set of 3 gęśle and bass was also used, but gęśle were tought to sound worse than violins, so this was eventually rejected.

Sometimes, during performances, primes change their violins for zlóbcoki (gęśle). For weddings, bands often include drums or a guitar (acoustic, electric or bass), and even wind instruments and an accordion. More and more Goral music is combined with popular music. The most popular bands today are Zakopower, Trebunie Tutki and Baciary. Goral music has many features in common with music from other regions of Poland. Its composers are anonymous and the music is composed spontaneously, more out of the natural needs and instincts of its creators and performers than a desire to create art. It speaks of the things most loved by Gorals — the Tatry Mountains, ruffian adventures and poaching expeditions, but can also include playful love songs. Love themes and discussions between boys and girls are also often present. Beautiful Goral music accompanies Gorals even today, in their homes, bars, enhancing their life and bringing joy with its cheerful sound. Goral band performances can be seen during festivals, in bars, hotels and some holiday houses. Dance Goral dance is very individual. Everyone dances in their own way, according to their character, temper and body shape.

Home dances most often occur during family celebrations, especially weddings. For years, Gorals have recorded their dances in glass paintings — one of the best known themes involves a harnaś (robber chief) accompanied by one of his brigands with bagpipes. The dance tradition is derived mostly from the Vlach shepherd culture (like the music) and has been practiced in Podhale for centuries. This is why Goral dance is primarily a man’s dance, meant to display the strength and agility of the dancer. Goral cultural dances do involve both men and women (except in case of the brigand dance), but the role of the female dancer is secondary and often purely decorative. The best-known Goral dance, described in prose in poetry and portrayed in art and film, is the brigand dance. It is composed of a couple of figures (6 to 10). It begins with a march, during which dancers enter the centre of the room or stage one by one and create a circle following the leader. After the march, the dance involves a short melody sung by the lead dancer, which in turn introduces “nuta ozwodna” — a two-sentence melody with longer and shorter notes.

Then it’s time for more figures: high jumps, deep squats with legs extended alternatively, “krzesanie” — jumping and clapping feet with hands — and ciupaga fencing. Marching in circles, between the figures of the brigand dance, is regarded as a background, and also as a moment to relax during this very energetic dance. Attire Podhale attire is one of the elements that clearly differentiates this region from other regions of Poland. Gorals wear their traditional costumes not only during celebrations (church, family, national holidays, etc.), but also to emphasize their regional identity. Podhale attire has undergone changes through the ages. Garments preserved in the Tatra Mountain Museum enable one to trace these changes and to see the evolution of ornamental fashions. Ciupaga The ciupaga (shepherd’s axe) is a symbol of the Podhale region. It is a walking stick in the shape of an axe, with a long handle and a light head-piece. The head-piece includes metal elements, enabling the holder to use it while climbing. Today it is rarely used for travelling, but retains its place in Goral dance.

The most famous of these dances is the brigand dance, which involves a fighting display. Ciupagas used to be used for cutting wood, cutting steps in hard snow or for combat. As part of the annual feat in Białka Tatrzańska, a pageant is organized for harnaś (brigand chief) of the year. One of the competitions involves throwing a ciupaga into a wooden shield. Tatra Prominence - Introduction Page INTRODUCTION TO THE TATRAS This part of Peaklist is devoted to the Tatras mountain range in Slovakia and Poland, Central Europe by Mark Trengove The High Tatra, with Ganek 2462m/182m in the left foreground (photo courtesy Marcin Slupsky ) Introduction The Tatras are the highest mountain range of the 1200 km (750 mile) Carpathian Arch, which stretches from east of Vienna in Austria through the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and Ukraine, to Romania, reaching an end at the Kazan Gorge on the Danube. Much of the Carpathian chain is of lowly altitude.

Almost half of its summits are less than 1000m (3,280ft) in altitude. The Tatras, however, are significantly higher. There are thirty-four summits with a prominence of at least 140m (460ft) in the range that reach over 2000m (6,560ft) in altitude. Of these six reach 2500m (8,200ft). Gerlachovsky stit, the highest peak in the range, and its only Ultra-Prominence, is 2654.4m (8709ft) in altitude. These are rugged mountains with high cols and precipitous faces. The absence of Prominences of 600 m and over indicates the wall-like nature of the range. The Tatras’ main crest stretches in an arch from a northwesterly to southeasterly direction. There are a number of spurs from the main ridge, mostly perpendicular to it. The valleys, likewise, follow a similar orientation to these spurs.

The main ridge stretches for some 78 km (49 miles) from the town of Zuberec in Slovakia in the west to the valley of the Biela river in the east – also in Slovakia. On average, the range is 20 km (12 miles) wide. Beyond here to the northeast lie, at right angles to the main ridge, the White Tatras. The Tatras are bounded on the northern side by a series of valleys, in one of which the Polish town and mountain resort of Zakopane lies. On the southern side lies the Sub-Tatras basin in the wide valleys of the Poprad and Vah rivers. The total area of the range is 785 sq. km, with 175 sq. km lying in Poland and the rest in Slovakia. Geology The Tatras are built out of two types of rock. The oldest, in the High Tatra, are crystalline granitoids formed from solidified magma in the Palaeozoic Era (c.300 to 248 million years ago), although the earliest were formed as far back as 415 million years ago.

There are also metamorphosed rocks such as gneisses from the same era, found more in the Western Tatras. This forms the core of the main ridge. The northern belt is composed of younger rocks formed in the Mesozoic Era (230 to 65 million years ago). They are sedimentary rocks such as limestone, dolomite and sandstone. They were created at the bottom of a sea that lay far to the south in what is now Slovakia. During the great period of mountain building in the middle of the Tertiary Era (c. 50 to 40 million years ago) known as the Alpine Orogeny, the collision of the African and Eurasian plates created the Alps and, further east, the Tatras. This tectonic movement also shifted the sedimentary rocks north over the crystalline core and folded them to form the range of high hills in Poland which lie north of the range. Erosion Most of the Carpathian chain escaped glaciation in the Quaternary (Ice) Age. Due to their northerly position in the chain and higher altitude, however, the Tatras did not. Glaciation covered all higher areas of the High Tatras and parts of the Western Tatras.

Valleys were gouged by the glaciers into the characteristic U-shape. Hanging valleys were created in subsidiary valleys. The glacial erosion sharpened the mountain ridges and formed deep cirques, with terminal moraines creating large numbers of glacial lakes after the ice had retreated. Material carried down by the glaciers to the foreland formed glacial cones, on one of which the Polish town of Zakopane now stands. The glaciers disappeared from the Tatras about 10,000 years ago. There is now no permanent lying snow on the mountains. Today the Tatras continue to be shaped by the forces of water, wind and weather, and vegetation. Man has also contributed to this erosion. The weather in the Tatras is often changeable and can be harsh. Snow can fall at almost any time of year. The average annual precipitation is between 1200mm and 1500mm, with half of it falling as snow. Powerful warm southerly winds called “halny” (foehn) can blow over the mountains on the Polish side. These are strong enough to break down trees and destroy swathes of forest.

The White Tatras (Slovak: ‘Bielanske Tatry’) Havran 2052m/401m (left) and Zdiarska vidla 2142m/c.172m (photo courtesy Marcin Slupsky This subsidiary range in the east, wholly in Slovakia, lies at right angles to the main Tatras ridge, connected to it by the by the col Kopské sedlo. It is 13km (8 miles) long and composed of pale grey limestone summits which rise out of steep grass-covered slopes. The highest summit in the range is Havran 2052m/401m (7059ft/1317ft). There are a further five summits in the range with a prominence of over 140m/460ft. Due to extensive erosion and the threat to their delicate ecology, the National Park Authority limits the number of visitors to this range and the number of routes onto and along the ridge.

The High Tatras (Slovak: ‘Vysoké Tatry’ ; Polish: ‘Tatry Wysokie’) Gerlachovsky Stit 2654m/2356m in winter (photo courtesy Dariusz Zarod ) The High Tatras form the highest part of the chain. They begin in the east in Slovakia at the col Kopské sedlo, with the main ridge stretching for most of the way in a southwesterly direction before swinging northwestwards to reach the Polish border at the mountain Rysy. From there the main ridge continues to head north west, forming the Slovak/Polish border as far as the col Laliové sedlo if you follow Slovak opinion. There are a number of spurs off the main ridge northwards into Poland and southwards into Slovakia – most notably the subsidiary chain southwestwards for 7km (4 miles) from Cubryna , reaching its highest point on the summit of Kriván 2494m/400m (8182ft/1312ft). The main ridge stretches for a distance of 27km (17 miles).

The highest summit is Gerlachovský štít 2654m/2356m (8709ft/7731 ft) in Slovakia which lies on a southern spur off the main ridge. The highest summit of significant prominence in Poland is Mieguszowiecki Szczyt 2438m/213m (7999ft/699ft) which lies on the Polish/Slovak border. Many books note Rysy as the highest summit in Poland. The Polish high point, however, is on a subsidiary summit of the mountain at 2499m (8199ft) with only 10m of prominence. The main summit lies just across the border at 2503m (8212ft), giving the mountain a prominence value of 163m (536ft). The highest mountain wholly in Poland is Kozi Wierch 2291m/165m (7517ft/542ft). The High Tatras are composed mainly of hard granites and gneisses.

They are spectacularly serrated and precipitous peaks, some only being accessible to rock climbers and generally requiring a guide. There are, however, a number of summits accessible to walkers. These require little use of the hands but do need a head for heights. The Western Tatras (Slovak: ‘Západné Tatry’ ; Polish: ‘Tatry Zachodnie’) (photo courtesy of Marcin Slupsky ) The Western Tatras are a continuation of the High Tatra ridge, forming the border between Slovakia and Poland as far as Volovec/Wolowiec 2064m/156m (6772ft/512ft). Thereafter the crest of the main ridge is wholly in Slovakia. The Western Tatras main ridge begins in the east at Laliové sedlo and stretches for some 38 km (24 miles) westwards. A series of subsidiary spurs stretch off the main ridge into Slovakia and Poland. The Western Tatras are the second highest range of mountains in Slovakia and Poland.

The highest summit in the range is Bystrá 2248m/562m (7377ft/1845ft) which lies off the main ridge on a spur in Slovakia. The highest summit in Poland is Starorobocianski Wierch 2176m/238m (7138ft/780ft), which lies on the Polish/Slovak border. There are twenty summits with at least 140m (460ft) of prominence in this range. The Western Tatras are mainly composed of gneisses and slate-type (metamorphic) rocks and have a smoother and less jagged appearance than the High Tatras. They provide good ridge walking, however, and are more accessible to un-guided visitors. Hiking in the Tatras The Tatras first became popular for visitors in the 19th Century with the aristocracy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During the years of communist domination the Tatras were the most accessible region of alpine mountains to those in Central and Eastern Europe behind the ‘Iron Curtain’. Their popularity has continued to this day.

These are not mountains which you can expect to have to yourself if you keep to the marked trails. The weight of visitors has land caused degradation problems. It is for this reason that access to the areas of the Slovak and Polish National Parks is quite tightly regulated. The Slovak and Polish Tatra National Parks are blessed with a network of well-maintained and waymarked paths. The National Park regulations on both sides of the border require hikers to keep to these paths unless accompanied by a qualified guide or they are in possession of a valid identity card from their national Alpine club. In Poland groups of ten or more must be accompanied by a guide, even on waymarked paths. There is also a small entry fee for entering National Park areas in Poland. These fees go to maintaining the Parks and funding the free mountain rescue service. The higher routes are closed to hikers in winter and spring (generally 1 November to 30 June), but the lower paths remain open in Slovakia. As mentioned above, the White Tatras are only accessible at any time of year when in possession of a valid pass, except for a marked trail between Zdiar and Kopske sedlo. There are a good number of mountain refuges in these mountains.

In Slovakia there are eleven of these “chaty”, and Poland has eight “schronisko”. Most of these refuges are owned by the relevant national mountaineering associations. All offer food and lodging, with some reaching good hotel standards. Details on how to contact these refuges can be found in the guidebooks mentioned below. Maps There is a good choice of maps of the Tatras at 1:25,000, 1:50,000 and 1:75,000 scales. It must be said, however, that even the smaller scale maps tend to lack contouring in the more precipitous higher mountain areas. This is particularly the case with the Slovak maps.

For Slovakia, the following 1:25,000 maps are recommended: • VKÚ Harmanec Edícia Turistick_ Máp No.2 Vysoké Tatry (2004) • VKÚ Harmanec Edícia Turistick_ Máp No.3 Západné Tatry (2002) For Poland, the following 1:25,000 map is recommended: • Sygnatura Tatra National Park Tourist Map/Wanderkarte (in English and German) (2004/05). Guide books There are a wide selection of guidebooks on the Tatras in Polish and Slovak. For English speakers, the following are recommended: • The High Tatras by Colin Saunders and Renáta Náro_ná. Publisher Cicerone Press, England ( website ). • High Tatra: the finest valley and mountain walks by Stanislav Samuhel. Publisher Rother, Munich ( website ). I would also recommend the following websites for pictures of the Tatras: The Lists A master list of all of the summits in the Tatra has been completed to 100 meters prominence.

Question: The Tatra Mountains is the highest range in which mountain range?
Answer: Carpathian Mountains