Batizovský štít

Batizovský štít (Polish Batyżowiecki Szczyt, German Botzdorfer Spitze, Hungarian Batizfalvi-csúcs) is a massive twin-topped summit 2448 m high on the main ridge of the High Tatras in Slovakia. It closes the head of the Batizovská valley above Vyšné Hágy, about 15 km north-west of Poprad, and on the north rises above the Kačacia valley, a branch of the Bielovodská valley. The peak lies in the Prešov Region, on the lands of the town of Vysoké Tatry and of Tatranská Javorina, inside the Tatra National Park (TANAP); the boundary between the Bielovodská dolina and Batizovská dolina reserves runs along the ridge. Batizovský štít is visible even from the foothills — from the village of Batizovce and its surroundings.

Getting there / routes

There is no marked hiking trail to the summit — only climbing routes of grade III and harder, which is why it was among the last High Tatra peaks to be climbed. Ascents are possible only under TANAP’s rules for climbers or with a licensed mountain guide. The usual approach is from Sliezsky dom along the red Tatra Magistrala (Tatranská magistrála) to Batizovské pleso, and from there up the Batizovská valley to the walls.

For hikers, the best way to see the mountain is to walk the Magistrala past Batizovské pleso: from the shore there is the well-known view of the peak reflected in the surface of the lake.

What you can see from the summit

The summit overlooks the Batizovská and Bielovodská valleys and the surrounding ridges and peaks — Gerlachovský štít, Končistá, Gánok and others.

Nature and history

Batizovský štít is the highest point of the ridge between Zadný Gerlach and Popradský Ľadový štít. The Western and Eastern Batizovské saddles, with the Batizovské zuby (teeth) between them, separate it from Zadný Gerlach, and a series of towers and notches, such as Batizovská ihla and Batizovská kopa, separate it from Kačací štít to the west. The mountain has two tops: the main Veľký Batizovský štít and the western Malý Batizovský štít, 3 m lower. Walls 150–300 m high, made of huge granite slabs, fall into both valleys; the solid rock makes them one of the best climbing areas in the High Tatras. South of the massif the isolated tower of Kostolík (2262 m) rises from the valley floor.

The name comes from the village of Batizovce, in whose cadastre the peak lay until 1947: shepherds from there grazed their flocks in the Batizovská valley. English-language sources link the name to the local 13th-century nobleman Batiz, founder of the village. The first summer ascent was made by Karol Jurzyca with guide Jozef Galko-Rusnák on 13 June 1900, the first winter ascent by Zygmunt Klemensiewicz and Jerzy Maślanka on 5 April 1909.

Safety, season and rules

TANAP’s high-mountain trails are closed from 1 November to 31 May; before walking the Magistrala to Batizovské pleso, check which of its sections are open. Leaving the trails in the national park is forbidden. Weather in the High Tatras changes fast, afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, and snow lingers in the gullies until late spring. Slovak Mountain Rescue Service (HZS): 18 300 (+421 18 300), general emergency number 112.

Photos: Kristo, CC BY-SA 3.0; Kristo, CC BY-SA 3.0; Rafał Kozubek, CC BY-SA 4.0; Dixi, CC BY-SA 3.0; Rafik k, CC BY-SA 3.0; Rafał Kozubek, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons.