Kmeťov Waterfall in Kôprová Valley

Kmeťov waterfall (Kmeťov vodopád) is a powerful two-step waterfall in the Kôprová dolina valley in the western High Tatras. It is formed by the Nefcerský potok stream, which drops through a cleft in a rock step where the hanging side valley of Nefcerka breaks off to the floor of Kôprová dolina. Above the fall, at about 1,245 m, the stream is only one and a half metres wide. The waterfall is named after the Slovak polymath and patriot Andrej Kmeť.

Slovak sources usually give its height as about 80 m (sometimes 90 m) and call it the highest waterfall in Slovakia. Polish researchers who measured the cascade on site estimate the lower, most powerful step at about 60 m and believe there are higher waterfalls in the Tatras. Either way, it is one of the most impressive waterfalls of the Slovak Tatras: the water thunders down a steep wall in two cascades amid spruce forest. Higher up in Nefcerka there are two more waterfalls, but that whole area is a strict reserve with no trails, so only the lower one is open to visitors.

What to see and do

• The viewing platform by the waterfall with railings — a short marked path leads to it from the road in Kôprová dolina (about 3 minutes), next to a wooden well and a name sign.
• Kôprová dolina — one of the quietest valleys of the High Tatras. Almost all of it is a strictly protected zone of TANAP; there are no mountain huts and far fewer visitors than in the popular valleys.
• For experienced hikers: from the waterfall a blue trail continues up the valley to the Vyšné Kôprovské sedlo saddle, and a green one to the Závory saddle. These are long full-day high-mountain routes.

Practical information

Getting there. The valley is reached from Podbanské or from the Tri Studničky forester's lodge — on the blue trail and a forest road, asphalt at first and then gravel. For drivers the starting point is Podbanské. The way is long but nearly flat: according to the Prešov Region tourism portal, the cycle route from Podbanské to the end of the cycle trail by the waterfall is 9 km with 367 m of ascent. On foot, allow several hours for the return trip; cycling is permitted only on marked cycle routes. The trip suits fit families and cyclists, but it is not a short stroll.

TANAP rules. Under the national park visitor regulation, the blue trail from Kmeťov waterfall up to Vyšné Kôprovské sedlo is closed from 1 November to 31 May. The road to the waterfall itself is not on the list of closed trails, but in winter it carries a high avalanche risk, so do not go without experience and current avalanche information. Hiking is allowed only in daylight and only on marked trails.

When to go. June to October; the waterfall is fullest during snowmelt and after rain. The park rules set no entry ticket.

Nearby

• Štrbské pleso — the resort a few kilometres to the east.
• Skok waterfall in Mlynická dolina.
• Veľké Hincovo pleso — on the other side of Vyšné Kôprovské sedlo.
• Liptovská Mara — a large reservoir in Liptov.

Official website: tanap.sk

Photos: Coyote.cz, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons; Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; Katarína Senajová, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.