Kežmarské Žľaby lies at the foot of the Belianske Tatras, which are part of the High Tatras by connecting through the Kopské sedlo (1,748 m.a.s.l.). The main ridge is 14 km long and offers remarkable karst phenomena in the surrounding mountains, the most famous of which is the Belianska cave and varied lime-loving plant communities.
The "point of contact" of these geologically different mountains is the Kopské sedlo, made accessible to tourists. The activity of the glaciers from the original glaciation of the Tatra Mountains hardly affected the Belianske Tatras. We don't find the moraines, rock sills, terraces, or massive ridges so characteristic of the neighboring mountains here. However, the beauty of limestone and dolomite walls with steep grassy slopes and rich vegetation will attract attention. Ždiarska vidla is one of the dominant features of the prominent western part of the main ridge (as far as Široké sedlo). The highest peak Havran (2151.5 m) is, like other peaks, not accessible to tourists.
The mountain range is an important karst area. Of the many caves, the Belianska cave above the village of Tatranská Kotlina is open to tourists. From the settlement there is convenient access to the only mountain hut in the Belianske Tatras, the Plesnivec hut (1290 m) below Bujačí vrch.
The mountain range is not decorated with any pond, but nevertheless it is considered the most beautiful and naturally rich part of the Tatras. The nutritious calcareous soils here, in contrast to the High Tatras, offer a much more diverse flora. Among all the species, let's mention the most typical flower - the alpine sedum (Leontopodium alpinum).
The first visitors to the mountain range were probably sheep herders (14th century). Since the 17th century, charcoal has been burned in this area and copper and other ores have been mined. Access to a large part of the territory of the Belianske Tatras is from 1978 Closed by TANAP administration! The main reason is the protection of rare species of flora and fauna and the natural environment of this part of the national park. Only the peripheral valleys of Zadné Meďodoly, Predné Meďodoly and Dolina Siedmich prameňov are open to tourists. From In 1993, the educational trail through Monkova dolina was opened, which connects the striking village of Ždiar with Široký sedl and Kopský sedl.
The tour circuit has a length of 1370 m with an elevation of 125 m, there are 874 steps on the route. The stay in the cave lasts about 70 min. The temperature in the cave ranges from 5 to 6.3°C.
The cave was discovered at the beginning of the 18th century, although it is believed that it was already used by prehistoric people. It was officially opened in 1884 and electrically lit in 1896.
7 species of bats were found in the cave. The common bat (Myotis myotis) is dominant. Bearded bats (Myotis mystacinus), Brandt's bats (Myotis brandtii) and eye-lashed bats (Myotis emarginatus) occur more rarely.
If you were to search on the map, point your finger to the eastern part of the High Tatras, to the Valley of the White Lake of Kežmarská, the Valley of the Zelený pleso. Thanks to the maximum depth of 4.5 m, you can see all the way to the bottom of this moraine lake from near the shore. With its area of 1.78 hectares, it is not one of the largest ponds, but it is definitely one of the most beautiful.
This turquoise-colored lake is a popular destination not only for experienced tourists, skiers, cyclists, but also for families with older children or active seniors. Even so, good fitness is recommended, as hiking with an elevation gain of 855 meters along the yellow hiking trail is only moderately difficult, but quite lengthy.
Vrbov thermal swimming pool - a place where you can regenerate your body after a hard day. Strengthen your immunity in our thermal pools with geothermal water containing minerals important for the human body. There are 9 swimming pools in the complex, of which 3 are for children. During the winter season, swimming is available in 4 pools with both geothermal and clear water. The water temperature in the pools ranges from 26°C to 38°C.
The human body, like every organism on earth, needs to regenerate its vital functions. With us, you can do so immediately, for example in two sitting pools with streams of running water and a pleasant temperature of up to 38°C or in a canal pool with massage jets at a temperature of 32°C, which perfectly massage stiff muscles. Swimmers will appreciate the 35 m swimming pool with a temperature of 28°C. You can also find Thai massages and tasty snacks in the bar and restaurant at the Vrbov Thermal Park.
ATTRACTIONS AND CULTURE
Very interesting are tours of cultural and historical monuments in nearby towns – Very interesting are tours of cultural and historical monuments in nearby towns – Spišská Belá, Strážky, Levoča, Kežmarok, Červený Kláštor, visiting museums in Tatr. Lomnica, Spišská Belá and the wooden church in Javorina .
In an effort to give the Tatras something extra, he decided to build a golf course under them. Enthusiasm for the cause helped to cope with the difficult times of building and buying land in the vicinity of Veľká Lomnica. he can succeed, post Even though the neighborhood did not always believe in Jiří Hruška's initiative, it was important that he found understanding with a successful co-investor. Courage and faith that dreams began to turn into reality. Golf returned to the Tatras in 1999 on the first practice field. A year later, a natural 9-hole golf course was born, and an indoor teeing ground was added four years later. However, things were already underway so that in another 6 years there was an 18-hole course with a new hotel and fantastic facilities for all golf lovers under the High Tatras. Another nine came later. The guarantee of the quality of the playground is the supervision during construction by the well-known Austrian designer Hans Erhardt. In 2011, the golf course received the prestigious A PGA Golf Course Quality Mark, becoming the 19th course in the world with this mark.
And what about the black stork itself, which gave the entire area its name? The story related to it dates back to 2003. At the end of the golf season, a group of members of the Lomnické golf club were sitting on the terrace of the old clubhouse. Basking in the last rays of the autumn sun, the idea of organizing a senior golf tournament crossed the mind of one of the relaxing gentlemen. In an effort to see the idea through to the end, those present began to think about a suitable name that would clearly localize the tournament and differentiate it from the competition. It was then that a black stork emerged unobtrusively from the vast amount of ideas. Thanks to the nearby swamps, this rare natural species regularly appears in the sky above the golf course. Biozones with swamp and wetland communities, which were already established during the construction of the playground and to which entry is prohibited, certainly helped its occurrence. Thanks to the interplay of all these favorable circumstances, the black stork has practically become a traditional host for visitors to the golf resort that symbolically bears its name. Because it wasn't just the idea of a senior tournament...
SKI RESORTS
In winter, it is possible to use nearby ski resorts for skiing, e.g. in Ždiar, in Bachledova dolina, Jezersk, or in the Tatras. Lomnica, at Strbske and Skalnat Pleso, Hrebienk, etc.
You can ski either from Hrebienk to Starý Smokovec, the offer includes one easy (blue) slope with a length of 2350 m without technical snowmaking and a toboggan track with evening lighting with a length of 2500 m. Transportation to Hrebienok is provided by a cable car with a track length of 1,937 m and a capacity of 1,600 persons/hour. A popular attraction on Hrebienk is the ice basilica - the Tatra Ice Dome, which grows here every winter and offers fascinating views of the play of lights in the ice sculptures under the translucent dome of the circular room. This majestic ice structure, which has no equivalent in Slovakia, is definitely worth a visit.
Another option is the ski lift directly at Hrebienk on Jakubkova lúka, there are two ski lifts (length 853 and 70 m) with easy (blue) slopes. This mini-area is ideal for teaching skiing for children and beginners and for easy family skiing at low prices. For fans of cross-country skiing, there are cross-country trails in the vicinity of the resort.
The ski school, ski service and sports equipment rental, accommodation, buffet under Jakubová lúka, buffet and restaurant in the Sorea hotel on Hrebienk ev. are available to visitors in the resort. in Bilíková chata (other dining options directly in Stary Smokovec) and paid parking.
Visitors to the resort have at their disposal a medium-difficult ski slope with a length of 400 m with a total elevation gain of 50 m.
The slope is mechanically covered with snow and groomed throughout the ski season (from December to the end of March).
Less experienced skiers, beginners and children will find their own way. Skiing courses are provided for less experienced skiers.
The free parking lot and toilet are only 20 meters from the summit station. In the valley station, you can buy a small snack in the all-day buffet.
Lift operation: daily from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
2. We built a cable car for you leading from Bachledova dolina to the ridge of Spišská Magura. Thanks to it, you can drive comfortably and safely to the Treetop Walkway and the PANORAMA restaurant in less than 7 minutes. During the winter season, it is also used for skiers, who can then decide which valley to ski.
3. The ascent to the ridge of Spišská Magura on foot is also possible along the forest hiking trail from Bachledová dolina, but only at your own risk. Both Bachledka and the Treetop Walk are in the mountains, where the weather is changeable and windy. Please choose appropriate equipment (suitable shoes, suitable clothing, fitness).
4. You can ONLY get to Chodník from Mala Franková on foot. It is a medium-difficult uphill path through a meadow 1.1 km long.
5. From Jezersk there is an educational hiking trail around Lake Jezerské, which will take you to the ridge of Spišská Magura, to the panoramic restaurant PANORAMA and to the Treetop Walkway. It is a moderately difficult ascent. We do not recommend the path along the slope from Jezersko, because it is steep and difficult.
6. Rental office. If you do not have a carriage with you, we will be happy to lend it to you for a refundable deposit at the entrance to Chodník. If interested, we can also rent a children's tourist carrier in the sports shop next to the Infocenter building. Free for children under 1 year, for more information click HERE
7. The terrain of the hiking trail is not suitable for baby carriages and wheelchairs. Hiking can be difficult for small children and seniors. Consider whether they can handle the climb, otherwise we recommend using the cable car.
8. Tickets cannot be reserved in advance. You can buy them at the cash desks of the Bachledka Ski&Sun mountain center in Bachledová dolina or directly at the entrance to Chodník, and they can also be paid by credit card. The same conditions apply to both individual and group entries. Groups are dealt with preferentially in the Infocenter of the mountain center Bachledka Ski&Sun.
9. Length of trip. Set aside 3-4 hours for a walk to the ridge with a visit to Chodník. For a trip with the cable car, 1.5-2 hours.
10. The last sale of tickets for the cable car and Chodník is always 75 minutes before the end of opening hours. The last entrance to Chodník is still an hour before the end of opening hours! Customize your trip to make sure you get to Chodník on time. When exiting on foot, the sale is at least one hour before the last entrance to Chodník. You need about 1 hour to climb to Chodník from Bachledová dolina, plus parking, buying tickets, etc. In order to be sure that you will get to Chodník, it is better to come early. You can see the current opening hours of the center and Chodník here.
11. If you go for a walk on the Chodník with a dog, nice aviaries are prepared for them before entering the Chodník. Dogs and other animals are not allowed on the Path itself / even small dogs, cats, ferrets, etc./.
12. The toboggan from the observation tower is in operation depending on the weather conditions (even during the winter season) and offers a fun ride for adults and children from 120 cm. Tickets for it are on sale right next to the toboggan. You can find the price of one ride HERE
12. Those who use the charging station for electric cars at our center have FREE parking! Just prove yourself and reset your parking ticket at the info center.
Štrbské Pleso is the highest settlement in the High Tatras. On the southern slopes of Predné Solisko, there are almost 9 km of easy and medium slopes. The settlement is 28 km from the city of Poprad.
Ski area
The highest point in the resort is Solisko with an altitude of 1825 m. From Solisko there are unique views of the Podtatra basin, Kriváň and the Low Tatras, there is also a buffet and a mountain hut with hot meals.
In recent years, the offer of downhill tracks at Štrbské Pleso has been significantly expanded. The novelty is the blue Tourist track, 1750 m long, built in the space between the slopes of Interski and Esíčko. The area of the new slopes is about 8 ha. Also new is the Maxiland children's park in a new location near the parking lot. The novelties for the 2014/15 season include new fully automatic snowmaking, the connecting slope Solisko and the Furkota slope, 170 m long, as well as the Junior slope and the lower part of the Tourist slope, 580 meters long.
All groomed terrains in the center are served by modern cable cars. Solisko, Esíčko, Turistická and Interski are accessible using the express 4-seat Solisko, which is one of the longest in Slovakia (length 2070 meters, altitude 430 m). Furkota is available from the express 6-seater Furkota.
You will find a snow park on the Interski slope. The rental, service and ski school operates near the parking lot in the lower part of the resort.
Excellent skiing conditions are ensured by 2 lifts with 2 km of ski tracks with technical snowmaking, regular grooming and evening lighting. The resort offers services such as a ski school, sports equipment rental, refreshments with a selection of hot and cold meals.
At the entrance to the resort, cross-country skiing trails are groomed. In the vicinity of the resort, you can visit the thermal swimming pools AquaCity Poprad, Aquapark Tatralandia in Lipovský Mikuláš, as well as the indoor swimming pool in Svit and the Športovo - Relaxation Center Spolcentrum - Svit, which offers you: tennis hall, fitness + wellness center, bowling and others.