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The Tatra Mountains are the highest mountain range in Poland. An expedition during which we will travel around the mountains is a great idea for an active weekend. It is also a good idea to start your adventure in riding with panniers. The route to the Tatra Mountains is nearly 210 km which we cover in 3 days. It may seem nothing special. However, the sum of the elevations during this bike tour is 3500 m. Despite the fact that we have roughly 3 passes along the trail, you can feel it. It is worth taking the challenge to fall in love with the view of the Tatras with each traveled kilometer. During this bicycle trip, you will get to know four geographical regions: Podhale, Orava, Spisz, and Liptov. A major part of the route runs through Slovakia. In the case of an efficient ride through the route, after the first day of cycling, those interested can enjoy thermal pools. The route described below gives you the opportunity to overcome it 100% on paved roads. If you plan to go on a longer or harder trip, treat this tour as training. You will see what mountain biking is all about.
Our excursion base is around Zakopane. There, we take our bikes to Harenda on Friday. Starting with the Gubałówka Range on our left, we admire beautiful views of the entire panorama of the Tatra Mountains. Thursday evening is all about barbecue, oscypek cheese, sausage, and tea. On Friday we start with a beautiful view and an incredible descend to Witowo through the picturesque terrain of Podtatrze. Next, we pass Oravice, Liptovský Mikuláš with thermal pools and Liptovska Mara. Starting Saturday with each kilometer we approach the majestic High Tatras.
Stary Smokovec and windbreaks are the remains of a huge hurricane from years ago, and the previously visited Strbskie Pleso is the highest point of our trip when we are closest to the peaks of the High Tatras. The return is the already cult driveway to the Zdziarska Pass, followed by Łysa Polana and Zakopane.
DAY 01 | Day 01 Meeting in Zakopane or the surrounding area
We meet on Thursday in Zakopane or around Zakopane at the lodging place. The organizational meeting is at 18:00 in the lobby by the reception. Starting 20:00 we have a barbecue, during which get to know each other and tell stories of travels. Goods moods are very welcome. We guarantee a small snack during the barbecue or a pizza.
DAY 02 | Zakopane – Liptowski Trnovec | 78 km | 1440 m ascent (incl. approx. 300 m by lift) | 1640 m descent
After breakfast, we leave at 9:00 am towards the lift at Harenda. There we start our cycling adventure. After the route through Gubałówka, which will warm us up and taking commemorative photos with an amazing panorama of the Tatra Mountains, we head towards Kościelisko. We descend with an exceptionally picturesque route. It will lead us to the trail towards Chochołowo, but we will take a turn after a few meters to a side road to pass through Płazówka – an amazing place with a beautiful wooden church of St. Anna, which is a gem of the Podtatrze architecture. At Chochołowo we take a turn towards Slovakia. We cross the border in Sucha Hora and head towards Oravice. The picturesque route runs along the river of the same name. On this day we have to overcome the Huciańska Pass with an altitude of 950 m a.s.l. Thanks to this, we will pass a beautiful downhill ride towards Liptovský Trnovec, where our accommodation will be. On that day you can have fun in the Aqua Park in Tatralandia. We also plan to rest at Liptowska Mara. In the evening, we continue integration.
DAY 03 | Liptowski Trnovec – Nova Leśna | 71 km | 1100 m ascent | 830 m descent
After breakfast, we set off further. At the beginning of the day we will visit Liptovský Mikuláš and after reaching Liptovský Hradok we will start the uphill ride, which will accompany us most of the day. We have to overcome 700 m vertically stretching over a distance of several dozen kilometers. The route has a pleasant angle of inclination and is quite nice for such a climb. All this to conquer Strbskie Pleso or the highest point of our cycling adventure (1346 m a.s.l.). What we have conquered, the mountain will give back and after some rest and a tasty dinner, by a long downhill ride, we will reach Stary Smokovec, from where we will arrive at our accommodation in Nowa Leśna all the while cycling downhill. After we are accommodated, we will go for a wine tasting at the local wine cellar.
DAY 04 | Nova Leśna – Zakopane | 59 km | 1100 m ascent | 1100 m descent
We start around 9 am. At the beginning of the day, we conquer a solid climb, but the view to the Tatranska Lomnica and the majestic High Tatras rewards it all. Next, we head towards Tatrzańska Jaworzyna with the beautiful Bielska Cave. Next, we have the Zdziarska Pass (1081 m a.s.l.) to overcome. We will approach the borders of our Country. We will reach Łysa Polana, but first, we will stop at a Slovak grocery store to replenish our supplies. Past Łysa Polana, we will also make a short stop at Bacówka, where you can buy oscypek cheese or try żytnica drink. Here you will feel a true highlander atmosphere. Next, we will move past the Jaszczurówka Chapel and descend to Zakopane. We will complete our adventure in Antałówka with a beautiful panorama of the Tatras, Zakopane and the Gubałówka Range. Together, we will return to the hotel to pack our things to the cars and set off on our way back. The end of the event is planned around 16:00.
Zakopane | Gubałówka Range | Panorama of the Tatra Mountains | Kościelisko | Oravice | Huciańska Pass | Liptowska Mara | Liptowski Mikulas | Strbskie Pleso 1 346 m a.s.l. | Stary Smokowiec | The High Tatra | Zdziarska Pass
The trip around the Tatra Mountains is touristic in nature. During the tour, we are accompanied by a support car that carries luggage in case of a random event. You can choose any bike with gears that are fit for riding on mountainous terrain. The route runs entirely on asphalt, so the width of the tire is optional. The trail leads through mountainous areas. We expect several stronger and longer climbs at the exit. It is a very good training option before a longer bike tour. On this route, you will cycle in mountainous terrain and struggle on climbs. There has been no person in the history of our trips who could not successfully overcome it. Level III difficulty. What does this mean? Click this link.
Ride, ride, ride. To get the most out of this trip you must be prepared for it. Before the expedition, travel similar distances to those planned through hillocks, and if you don’t have those near you, travel longer routes. The basis is also a functional bike, meaning mandatory MAINTENANCE of the bike before the tour.