Less than a month left. Soon, Slovaks will close their trails in the Tatra Mountains

The decision concerns, among others: popular routes leading across the Polish-Slovak border, including in the area of ​​Rysy, Kasprowy Wierch, Wołowiec and Rakoń. Although the trails on the Polish side remain formally available all year round, in winter you will not be able to continue hiking to the Slovak sections of these trails.

As TANAP explains, the closure is intended to protect Tatra nature in winter, when animals need peace and quiet. It is also related to the safety of visitors. In the higher parts of the mountains, ice and snow appear on the trails, and the avalanche risk increases significantly.

However, there are exceptions. Tourists will still be able to enter Skrajne Solisko in the High Tatras. In the Western Tatras, the yellow trails to Baraniec and Rohacz Płaczliwy will remain available. The yellow trail leading to the Symbolic Cemetery near Osterva, near Popradzki Staw, will also be open until December 15.

However, a section of the red trail, i.e. the Tatra Main Line, between Popradzki Staw, Przełęcz pod Osterwa and Śląski Dom will be closed. The restrictions will apply to both tourists and climbers.

The services urge people to check current reports on weather, avalanche risk and route availability before going to the mountains. At the beginning of November, darkness falls quickly in the Tatra Mountains, temperatures drop below zero, and conditions can change in a short time.

Poland leaves its routes open

In the Polish Tatra Mountains, TPN also introduces winter restrictions, but they cover selected sections. From December 1 to May 15, the following routes are completely closed: from the Pass in Grzybowiec to Wyżnia Kondracka Przełęcz, from the Tomanowa Valley to Chuda PrzeŁączka and from Świstówka Roztocka between the Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich and Morskie Oko.