HIKING RYSY FROM SLOVAKIA

Climbing Rysy, Poland’s highest mountain, doesn’t really have to be tough! You just need to pack your things, head to Slovakia, and make it to the top. The trail to Rysy from the Slovak side is generally considered a moderate hike, unlike from the Polish side, which is a serious undertaking. That’s why, if you are not confident enough with exposed tracks and steep routes, I strongly suggest approaching the peak from Slovakia. Below, you will find everything you need to know about hiking Rysy from Slovakia. Let’s do it!

HIKING RYSY FROM SLOVAKIA: NEED TO KNOW

How high is Rysy? Does it have 2499 m or 2501 m? Surprisingly, both answers are correct! Let me explain why. It’s because the Rysy masiff consists of three peaks. The lowest (2472 m) one and the highest (2501 m) one are entirely located in Slovakia, while the 2499 m peak lays at the Poland-Slovakia border, being the highest point in Poland. As I mentioned before, the Slovak trail is easier than the Polish one, but you can only take it between June 1st and October 31st. During winter time this route stays closed. Entrance to the Tatra National Park in Slovakia is completely free of charge, which makes this trip even more tempting. Yay!

HIKING RYSY FROM SLOVAKIA: TRAIL DIFFICULTY

The route to Rysy from the Slovak side is dedicated for hikers with a good level of fitness who are comfortable with steep ascents and some minor exposure. The toughest section is located on the red trail, right after Malé Žabie Pleso, but it’s also fully secured with chains, ladders and metal footbridges. Technically, nothing too demanding. In my opinion, most physically active people should manage this part with no problem. The metal section has been installed in order to allow people to pass through up and down safely. To avoid creating unnecessary congestion and passing people by – stick to the right. Near the summit, you will also encounter a few exposed areas. Using your hands for balance is a good idea up there.

HIKING RYSY FROM SLOVAKIA: ITINERARY

Hiking Rysy from Slovakia will most likely take you the entire day. The walking track is 19,4 km long, with an elevation gain of 1371 m, and the average walking time of 9 hours. I’m not counting breaks! Luckily, there are two mountain huts along the way where you can rest or grab some food. First stop, Popradské Pleso, is reached within approximately 1 hour of hiking. The second one is Chata pod Rysmi, about 40 minutes before the summit. Even though the food is available at these huts, it’s still a good idea to bring some snacks and plenty of water. Below, you will find more details about each section of the hike. Let’s get into it!

ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO – POPRADSKÉ PLESO

There are a few trails from Štrbské Pleso to Popradské Pleso. I usually choose the quickest route, which is a blue trail from a paid parking lot near the Tatra Electric Railway station with the following coordinates: 49.126148, 20.074668. Parking costs 8€ per day. Completing the first part takes about an hour at a fast pace. At Popradské Pleso, you’ll find a mountain hut and a hotel. It’s worth having a short break there. You can stop by the lake on your way up to Rysy, or after summiting the peak, walking back to the parking lot.

Walking track: 4,1 km, 1 hour 25 minutes (one way)
Elevation gain: 272 m
Elevation loss: 24 m

POPRADSKÉ PLESO – NAD ŽABÍM POTOKOM

Continue on the blue trail. Can you see some supplies left on the ground? These are all products waiting for famous Tatra porters to carry them up to Chata pod Rysmi. Feel free to help and carry a small load to the hut. Each volunteer is rewarded with a cup of delicious caj. It’s a type of Slovak tea. The reward seems tiny compared to the effort needed to bring the products up, but the satisfaction at the end is massive. Trust me! When you reach Nad Žabím Potokom junction, turn right onto the red trail. It’s time for a solid climb.

Walking track: 1,2 km, 35 minutes (one way)
Elevation gain: 124 m
Elevation loss: 4 m

NAD ŽABÍM POTOKOM – CHATA POD RYSMI

This is the most challenging part of the hike. The red trail climbs steeply to Chata pod Rysmi with very little time to rest. After about an hour, you will pass Malé Žabie Pleso, and soon reach the section with chains, ladders and metal footbridges. The higher you are, the more breathtaking the views become. If the weather is good, this part of the hike is really stunning. Chata pod Rysmi is the highest located mountain hut in the Tatra mountains. It’s truly an iconic place, with its famous toilet hanging over a cliff. Make sure to use it!

Walking track: 3,5 km, 2 hours (one way)
Elevation gain: 669 m
Elevation loss: 39 m

CHATA POD RYSMI – RYSY

From the hut, it’s just 45 minutes to the top. Continue on the red trail all the way up. Don’t expect any significant surprises, it won’t be too difficult to finish. Right before the summit, you will come across a few spots with minor exposure. Nothing too technical, but feel free to use your hands for safety, as the stones may be slippery. During the high season, this section gets crowded, so once again, I recommend keeping to the right. Rysy offers one-of-a-kind views, so take your time to enjoy them, and capture some cool photos.

Walking track: 0,9 km, 45 minutes (one way)
Elevation gain: 249 m
Elevation loss: 0 m

RYSY – ŠTRBSKÉ PLESO

The easiest way back to the parking lot is to retrace your steps. There is an option to descend into the Polish side towards Morskie Oko, but if you’re not too experienced with exposure, it’s better to stay on the Slovak side. Alternatively, you might consider staying overnight at Chata pod Rysmi to make your trip even more interesting. With a booking at the mountain hut, you can try to reach the summit of Rysy either before sunset or at dawn. If the visibility is good, it will be an unforgettable experience. So, good luck you guys!

Walking track: 9,7 km, 45 minutes (one way)
Elevation gain: 1304 m
Elevation loss: 57 m

That’s basically everything you need to know about hiking Rysy from Slovakia. When are you planning to summit Rysy? Let me know in the comments!

Hey, it’s Karolina, the author of this blog. If you find my content valuable and helpful, I would be more than grateful, if you could support my work, and buy me a coffee. I do love writing my blog, and creating content for you guys. Thank you!