A glacial lake sits at the base of Mount Mengusovský in the High Tatras, its surface reflecting the jagged peaks above. Popradské pleso lies at an altitude of nearly fifteen hundred metres, reached by a trail that winds through pine forests and past tumbling streams. The water is cold and clear and carries a deep green tint from the minerals suspended within it. Hikers stop here to rest, to take photographs, to eat sandwiches on the rocky shore. A mountain hotel stands nearby, offering shelter and warm food. From the lake, the trail continues upward toward the higher passes and the truly dramatic views.
Popradské pleso (1494,3m above sea level) is a mountain lake and lies in the western part of the High Tatras mountains in the middle of Mengusovská valley. Popradské pleso became the starting point for many tourists to the Rysy – a group of three peaks (the middle at 2,503m; the north-western at 2,499 m; and the south-eastern at 2,473 m) that are known for the beautiful scenery views.
Popradské pleso is also a good starting point for the tours around Mengusovská valley. To Popradské pleso you can get from Štrbské pleso following the marked trail which take approximately two hours of slow walking. Near Popradské pleso there is the symbolic cemetery. In this cemetery there is a monument to victims of the High Tatras. The cemetery is a good idea to show the number of victims who lost their lives in the mountains.
Popradské pleso covers an area of 6.88 hectares and it is 18 meters depth. In the past it was called Rybie pleso (Fish lake), as it was the only mountain-lake in the southern High Tatra Mountains with the natural occurrence of fish. The old name was first used in 1736 by Matej Bel, a prominent Slovak scholar of 18th century.
At the lake you can find Cottage of Popradské pleso where you can buy some refreshments, beer or try Slovak traditional meals (e.g. Bryndzové halušky). You can also book a room here and stay here for few nights. If so, I would recommend you to wake up very early and enjoy the sun-rise.
View Popradské pleso – one of the most popular place in Slovakia in a larger map
Hiking Trails from Popradské pleso
Popradské pleso is the starting point for some of the finest hiking in the High Tatras. The most popular route is the red-marked trail to Rysy, the highest peak in Poland at 2,499 metres. The ascent takes about four to five hours from the lake and requires a good level of fitness, with the steepest sections protected by chains anchored into the rock. No technical climbing gear is needed, but sturdy boots and a head for heights are essential, especially on the exposed summit ridge. The view from the top stretches across both Slovak and Polish Tatra peaks, with Morskie Oko glittering far below on the Polish side. During the summer months, the trail can be busy, so an early start from the lake before 7:00 am is strongly recommended.
For a shorter and easier option, take the green trail to the Symbolic Cemetery at the foot of Mount Ostrva, then continue along the blue trail to the cable car station at Hrebienok. This loop covers around eight kilometres and takes roughly three hours, with modest elevation gain. It passes through spruce forest and open alpine meadows where marmots can often be seen sunbathing on rocks. Another rewarding route is the hike to Štrbské pleso via the Tatranská Magistrála, the main long-distance trail that crosses the entire High Tatras. The walk between the two lakes takes about two hours on a well-maintained gravel path with only gentle ups and downs, making it suitable for families with older children.
Wildlife and the High Tatra Ecosystem
The ecosystem around Popradské pleso is unique within the Carpathian mountain range. The lake sits at the upper tree line, where the dwarf mountain pine gives way to alpine meadows and bare granite scree. This transitional zone supports species that are found in few other places in Europe. The Tatra chamois, a nimble mountain goat-antelope with distinctive hooked horns, grazes on the steep grassy slopes above the lake. Its population in the Slovak Tatras is estimated at only 1,300 individuals, and it is considered a national treasure.
Birdwatchers will find the area equally rewarding. The alpine accentor, the water pipit, and the ring ouzel all breed in the meadows surrounding the lake. Above the tree line, you may see the golden eagle or the peregrine falcon soaring on thermals rising from the valley. The Tatra marmot, the most visible mammal and the one most likely to entertain hikers with its antics and whistles, emerges from hibernation in April and retreats by October. The High Tatras became a national park in 1949 and later a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and preserving the delicate balance of this ecosystem is every visitor’s responsibility.
Have you ever swum in a mountain lake this cold? Would you? 🏔️
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