High Tatras – A Walk From Strbske Pleso to Popradske Pleso
The walk up to Popradske Pleso is one of the most accessible walks in the High Tatras of Slovakia. It is a walk of beauty amongst mountains that takes you from one glacial lake to…
Slovakia is a largely mountainous, landlocked country. It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the west, and the Czech Republic to the northwest. The largest city and capital is Bratislava, and the second-largest city is Košice.
The Tatras of Slovakia are a spectacle worthy of your attention if you are intending in visiting this stunning and rugged country, full of mountains and valleys with glacial lakes and fabulous local folk tales to discover.
Popradske Pleso is one of the most accessible walks in the High Tatras of Slovakia. It is a walk of beauty amongst mountains that takes you from one glacial lake to another. At 4,992 feet above sea level the views are vast as well as being half way up this majestic range of mountains. Štrbské Pleso, is a beautiful tarn in the High Tatras mountains of Slovakia. It is roughly 2km around and is fed by underground springs. No rivers flow in or out of here so all seems very calm on the surface.
Trvana is the seventh largest city and is often referred to as the ‘Slovak Rome’ thanks to the many churches within its city walls. Trvana used to be a very important market settlement because it was at the junction of two roads, one from the Mediterranean to Poland, and the second from Bohemia to Hungary. Markets were held every Saturday and the market was called Sobota (which is Saturday in Slovak.) Now, in September they hold a traditional Travana Fair as a memorial to the successful market history of the oldest free royal town in Slovakia. At the fair they sell all manner of traditional foods, drinks and crafts.
Burčiak is a traditional local drink which is enjoyed about a week to ten days into the fermentation process. This is when the sugary white grape juice turns cloudy, bubbling and fizzing, and becomes quite alcoholic. Another Slovak treat sold at the market is a traditional potato dough pancake with lots of flour fried in a hot pan then filled with a choice of fillings such as cabbage, melted lard, goose liver pate, duck liver pate, or cheese. Or, for a sweet version, they fill them with poppy seeds, ground walnuts, caramel, chocolate or sweet cheese.
The country has a wide variety of traditional foods, folk tales and mountain walks. The glacial lakes are truly a sight to behold and are so tranquil. There are longer hikes and more laid back valley walks to enjoy, as well; something for all abilities with new views around every corner. You are bound to find a friendly atmosphere and plenty of areas lacking the hustle and bustle of tourist, giving you a pleasant opportunity to get away from it all.
The walk up to Popradske Pleso is one of the most accessible walks in the High Tatras of Slovakia. It is a walk of beauty amongst mountains that takes you from one glacial lake to…
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