Tatranská magistrála (Tatra Highway): Podbanské — Veľké Biele pleso
Trail map
Route, springs and shelters: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · elevation: Copernicus DEM © DLR e.V., © Airbus DS · Data & licences
About the trail
Route Tatranská magistrála (Tatra Highway): Podbanské – Veľké Biele pleso. Has red marking (national route №0930, KST). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).
Officially marked national tourist route No. 0930. Marking is red, sign — horizontal stripe on a white background. Marked and maintained by: KST. Length of the route — 50.1 km. Location: mountain range — High 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 multi-day route of 50.1 km with 1,603 m of ascent from Podbanské to Veľké Biele pleso. Estimated time: 2 days of 7–8 h of walking (about 15 h in total, not counting stops). Difficulty: hard. Waymarking: red.
Route stages
- 0–3 kmDescent of 200 m to Zelené pleso
- 3–6 kmClimb of 430 m (up to 1,989 m)
- 6–14 kmDescent of 700 m (down to 1,285 m)
- 14–27 kmClimb of 750 m (up to 2,038 m)
- 27–30 kmDescent of 530 m to Popradské pleso and the Symbolic Cemetery
- 30–50 kmGentle ups and downs at 930–1,540 m
Steepest kilometre: km 5–6, a climb of 320 m (≈31%).
Water and overnight stays
Our map shows no springs near the trail — bring your own water (at least 3 l).
A possible split into days:
- Day 1: km 0–23, ≈7.5 h — overnight: no shelter nearby on the map, bring a tent
- Day 2: km 23–50, ≈7.5 h — finish
When to go
Best time: June to September. In winter only for experienced hikers with proper gear: avalanche danger is possible. About 27 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 25 km from the start in a straight line, so plan your way back in advance.
FAQ
- How long does the route take?
- Estimated time: 2 days of 7–8 h of walking (about 15 h in total, 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
ModerateOne-dayMarkedBiela voda, car park Jahňací štítElevation profile917–2 163 m10.1 kmascent 1 237 m≈ 5 h walking
HardTwo-dayMarkedTri studničky, old forester's lodge Popradské Pleso, stopElevation profile1 105–2 142 m21.4 kmascent 1 129 m≈ 7.5 h walking
ModerateTwo-dayMarkedPodbanské Suché SaddleElevation profile928–1 946 m16.2 kmascent 1 013 m≈ 6 h walkingCraft nearby
All craft places
Cheese dairies & pasturesShepherd's Hut on Rusinowa Polana10 km from the trailRusinowa Polana is one of the most beautiful mountain glades in the Polish Tatras, and from May to October it is home to the bacówka (shepherd's hut) of baca Stanisław...
Water parks & thermal poolsTermy Bukovina14 km from the trailTermy Bukovina is a modern thermal pool complex in Bukowina Tatrzańska, a village lying about a thousand metres above sea level on the edge of the Tatra National Park.
Cheese dairies & pasturesFurtek's Shepherd's Huts, Kuźnice and Kalatówki18 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 Tavern20 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.
Water parks & thermal poolsTerma Bania20 km from the trailTerma Bania is a large thermal water park in the village of Białka Tatrzańska, at the foot of the Kotelnica ski slope.
Water parks & thermal poolsAquaCity Poprad water park20 km from the trailAquaCity Poprad is a large year-round water park and wellness complex in the town of Poprad, a few minutes from the centre; according to the complex, the High Tatras...