Hiking to Prielom and Poľský hrebeň in High Tatras National park

It is nice autumn weather, ideal for hiking. It would be a pity over the autumn weekend weekend just to sit at home and not be sure to go somewhere. That is exactly what we said. I sat down at the computer and chose a hiking trail we could take. And that's it! Our goal will be to conquer the mountain crossings Prielom and Poľský ridge. If we have enough strength, we will also ascend to the East High peak. I sent my idea to two of my friends for approval. And it's decided! We go to the High Tatras. At that time, however, I had no idea that it would be a hike full of adrenaline.

We come to Starý Smokovec, where our hike begins, at dawn. Today we have a challenging climb. We have 21.8 kilometers of walking in front of us with a total elevation gain of 1405 meters above sea level.

We enthusiastically set off on the asphalt road to Hrebienok. The Tatra cogwheel also runs to Hrebienok. But we did not come to drive. We came on a hike and so we walk up our own.

The sun is slowly rising and a golden hour is coming for photographers. I also use this time and take my first pictures.

We slowly climb higher and higher and at the same time enjoy the Tatra nature to the fullest.

I have to admit, I have work to do to prosecute the two.

We planned the first big break at Zbojnícka chata. It is located about halfway to Prielom and I have had enough. I am tired. I have a hundred appetites to turn around and go back. But I'm not giving up! I have never given up on any tour and I have always overcome fatigue.

A few meters away from this view, I say to myself that I did very well. It's the first time I've seen a chamois live. It's a wonderful experience that has given me new energy.

In the distance on a snowy peak we see a group of people standing. My friend wondered what they were doing up there in the snow. He didn't know yet that he would climb the hill in a moment.

The higher we go, the more snow there is. We walk up the stairs, which are trampled in the snow. We are very careful as it starts to slide.

And we're up! We are on a mountain pass called Prielom. The view of the High Tatras is amazing. We look on one side, where we see the Great Cold Valley and a snowy steep slope below us, after which we have just climbed up and on the other side is Litvorová dolina, we are about to descend.

Looking down, it is clear to us that the sun does not often shine in Litvorova dolina. There is a hill of snow and ice on the hiking trail. On the narrow ridge we choose from the backpack tourist cats that we bought for this hike. I've never worn a tourist cat before and I'm starting to regret not trying out how to wear it at home. There is so little space that the three of us almost won't fit. In addition, we still have to avoid two brave tourists who came from Litvorova dolina.

I put on tourist cats and I believe they won't fall down. If that happened, I don't know how to go down. Now that I think about it, I'd probably go downstairs, just faster than I'd like. I already have fear in my eyes from the descent with tourist cats on my feet, not without them. My friend is in a similar situation.

He cursed and we went down carefully. To make matters worse, there are chains here.

We slowly descend and I meet tourist cats on my feet. I find that they hold wonderfully on my shoes and my legs are stable. With each step, I gain more and more confidence. We are down and this is the view of the mountain pass we went through.

We exhale and continue up the steep hill to the Polish Ridge. As they say. Once down and once up. We are coming to Poľský Hrebeň and it is clear to us that we are no longer going to the Východná Vysoká peak, which according to the information board is 30 minutes away from us.

We see how high we would still have to walk along the snowy sidewalk and the crossing over two mountain ridges is enough for us today.
We choose food from our backpack and bask in the sun. Relax and beautiful views, what more can a tourist want.

After about an hour of rest, we head down. We walk with the mounted tourist cats through the last section on which there are chains. We put tourist cats down a few meters lower. The sun shines longer in this part and has managed to melt the snow.

Looking at the tourist, who is walking opposite us in slippers and a short T-shirt, I don't want to believe what we went through today and where we climbed.

We walk around the Sliezsky House, where we take another break.

We are already in the rhododendron zone, which is an unmistakable sign that our hike will end soon.

All day long I must say that I will never forget this tourism. She had everything a good tourist should have. Good friends with you, wonderful views of the High Tatras and the right dose of adrenaline.

Well thank you.