Podbanské – Suché Saddle
Trail map
Route, springs and shelters: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · elevation: Copernicus DEM © DLR e.V., © Airbus DS · Data & licences
About the trail
Route Podbanské – Suché Saddle. Has yellow marking (regional route №8851, KST). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).
Officially marked regional tourist route No. 8851. The marking is yellow, the sign is a horizontal stripe on a white background. Marked and maintained by: KST. Length of the route — 16.2 km. Location: mountain range — Western Tatras, Slovakia. The route in the Tatra National Park (TANAP): high-altitude sections are closed from November 1 to June 15 — before heading out, check the current dates at tanap.sk.
At a glance
A one-day route of 16.2 km with 1,013 m of ascent from Podbanské to Suché Saddle. Estimated walking time: about 5.5 h, not counting stops. Difficulty: moderate. Waymarking: yellow.
Route stages
- 0–12 kmGentle ups and downs at 930–1,260 m
- 12–16 kmClimb of 690 m to Kasprowy Wierch (1,987 m)
Steepest kilometre: km 14–15, a climb of 220 m (≈22%).
Water and overnight stays
Our map shows no springs near the trail — bring your own water (at least 3 l).
When to go
Best time: June to September. In winter only for experienced hikers with proper gear: avalanche danger is possible. About 3 km of the route runs above 1,500 m, where the weather changes quickly — check the forecast.
Getting there
Start: Podbanské. This is a one-way route: the finish is 11 km from the start in a straight line, so plan your way back in advance.
FAQ
- How long does the route take?
- Estimated walking time: about 5.5 h, not counting stops.
- Is there water on the route?
- Our map shows no springs near the trail — bring your own water (at least 3 l).
Comments
Trails nearby
All trails
HardMulti-dayMarkedTatranská magistrála (Tatra Highway): Podbanské Veľké Biele plesoElevation profile929–2 043 m50.1 kmascent 1 603 m
ModerateOne-dayMarkedPyšné sedlo PodbanskéElevation profile929–1 785 m8.2 kmascent 839 m≈ 3.5 h walking
ModerateTwo-dayMarkedTatranská magistrála (Tatra Highway): Na Tokarinách PodbanskéElevation profile789–1 043 m22.2 kmascent 579 m≈ 6.5 h walkingCraft nearby
All craft places
Horse ridingKone vo Východnej: horse rides below the Tatras5.9 km from the trailKone vo Východnej (“Horses in Východná”) is a small family horse farm on the meadows above the village of Východná in upper Liptov, with a sweeping view of the High...
Eco farmsFarma Východná — organic farm below the Tatras8.4 km from the trailFarma Východná is the highest-lying organic farm in Liptov, at 930 m in the village of Východná right below the Tatras.
Cheese dairies & pasturesShepherds' Huts on Polana Chochołowska13 km from the trailPolana Chochołowska is the largest glade in the Polish Tatras and one of the largest in the whole range.
Cheese dairies & pasturesShepherd's Hut in the Kościeliska Valley14 km from the trailJózef Słodyczka's bacówka (shepherd's hut) on the Wyżnia Kira Miętusia glade is probably the most easily reached shepherds' hut in the Polish Tatras.
Cheese dairies & pasturesFurtek's Shepherd's Huts, Kuźnice and Kalatówki16 km from the trailAbove Kuźnice — the southern edge of Zakopane where most hikes into the Western and High Tatras begin — the flocks are tended by baca Andrzej Staszel, nicknamed "Furtek".
Koliby & Hutsul cuisineBąkowo Zohylina Wyźnio Highland Tavern16 km from the trailBąkowo Zohylina Wyźnio is a regional highland tavern in Zakopane housed in a wooden "szałas" (shepherd-hut-style building) with a view of the Tatras.