Batizovské pleso

Batizovské pleso is a high-mountain lake in the Batizovská valley at 1,884 m, right below the walls of Gerlachovský štít (2,655 m) — the highest peak of the Tatras and of Slovakia. It is the only large tarn in the valley. According to TANAP measurements from 1961–1967, it covers 3.48 ha, measures 288 by 160 m and is about 8.7 m deep. The lake is crescent-shaped and closed by a typical 11 m rock sill. The Batizovský stream flows out of it and, falling over the step, forms the cascades of the Batizovské waterfalls.

From the sill above the lake there is a striking view of the menacing buttresses of Končistá, the walls of Gerlach, Batizovský štít, Kostolík and other peaks. The tarn takes its name from the Batizovská valley, which in turn is named after the village of Batizovce below the Tatras, founded in the mid-13th century by comes Batyza. A plaque on a boulder by the shore commemorates Dr Ernst Gottlieb, who died on neighbouring Končistá.

What to see and do

• The lake below the walls of Gerlach — one of the harshest and most impressive places on the Tatranská magistrála; in clear weather the peaks are reflected in the water.
• The Batizovské waterfalls — cascades of the stream below the rock sill.
• The Tatranská magistrála — the tarn lies on the section between Popradské pleso and Sliezsky dom, so it fits well into a long day's traverse.

Practical information

Getting there. No short strolling paths lead to the tarn — it is a goal for prepared hikers. Options:

• from Velické pleso and Sliezsky dom along the red magistrála — about an hour (Sliezsky dom is about 1 h 45 min from the Tatranská Polianka stop);
• from Popradské pleso along the magistrála over the saddle below Ostrva — about 1 h 40 min from the saddle to the tarn;
• on the yellow trail from Vyšné Hágy (a Tatra Electric Railway stop) through the Štôlska valley — about 2 h 25 min up and 1 h 55 min down.

Every option means several hours of walking on a rocky high-mountain path with a big climb, so you need mountain boots, warm waterproof clothing, water and an early start. The route is not suitable for small children or people without mountain hiking experience.

TANAP rules. The red magistrála from Sliezsky dom via Batizovské pleso and the saddle below Ostrva to Popradské pleso, and the yellow trail from Batizovské pleso to the Vyšné Hágy turn-off, are closed from 1 November to 31 May. So the tarn can only be reached from 1 June to 31 October. Hiking is allowed only in daylight and only on marked trails; the Batizovská valley is a national nature reserve. Climbing Gerlachovský štít is only allowed with a mountain guide. Early in the season there may be snow on the path, and storms at this altitude are dangerous — watch the forecast.

When to go. July–September is the most reliable time. The park rules set no entry ticket.

Nearby

• Velické pleso and Sliezsky dom — an hour east along the magistrála.
• Popradské pleso and the Symbolic Cemetery — west over the saddle below Ostrva.
• Veľké Hincovo pleso — Slovakia's largest tarn.
• Štrbské pleso — the western end of the magistrála.

Official website: tanap.sk

Photos: Rafik k, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Radimvadim, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Martingazak, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; Honza Groh, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.