An Irregular Blog

Štôla

Today we took a break from the mountains and took a walk in the foothills to a lovely village called Štôla. We took the funicular to Stary Smokovec, then on the train to Tatranska Polianka, which was originally an international ski resort but is now a quiet spa village.

The walk toook us parallel to the main road to Nova Polianka before eventually departing southwards across the main road and the railway track. We passed two bird hides (locked - we couldn't get into them) and walked through a large area of regenerating forest. The great storm of 2004 destroyed much of the original forest which is now growing back.

Everywhere there are lovely flowers and butterflies. Eventually we reach a turnoff to Štôla, and walk down through the village to a lovely cafe which has tables by the stream which runs through the village. We enjoy coffee and home made cake before exploring the village, which dates from 1385. I found 2 nice barns which were so decrepit I just had to take a picture.

Tatra Chamois

This is a Kamzik we spotted when hiking to Zbojnicka chata (hut) in the Tatra mountains.

These beautiful animals are critically endangered and not often seen. For more information see Wikipedia

The walk started from Hrebienok and took us up the Studena Dolina valley, climbing steadily up a series of nick points and following a babbling clear stream through pine forest and clearings.

Chains helped us negotiate a couple of rocky outcrops and there were several scrambles across large rockfalls, though it was never vertiginous.

As we crossed the stream for the final time we had a breather, and it was there that we saw a small herd of Kamzik just up the valley. The approached us cautiously and wouldn’t get too close, but I managed to get several good shots on the D800 with the 24-70 zoom lens. They came out well.

From the stream it was 30 minutes to the chata where we had lunch: it was very quiet compared to the huts we visited and we enjoyed the Slovakian tea as usual. I left an RFU whistle there - fell out of my bag on the terrace.

Mount Solisko

This is the highest of the three ‘moderate’ summits (1,985m – 2,095m) that it is possible to reach using a waymarked route in the High Tatras.

We took the train to Štrbské Pleso from Stary Smokovec, which took about 40 minutes.

Štrbské Pleso was established in 1873 and is the highest community in Slovakia as well as the country’s premier winter sports resort.

We left the station towards a lake before branching off on a gradual climb then turning into the woods for a steep ascent.En route there were plenty of information boards in english giving useful information on the flora & fauna.

After traversing the granite slope we reached Chata pod Soliskom. Here we had a cup of sweet tea, which we are getting used to in Slovakia. It's surprisingly reviving. Taking this route up gave a pleasant alternative to walking up the route of the ski-lift - we took this way down and it was boring and barren.

From the chata it was a short but very steep ascent to the summit of Predne Solisko at 2,091 meters,where there were magnificent views. The summit was crowded and many people looked badly out of breath. However, the weather turned and we didn't stay long as the clouds were ominous and a few drops of rain were felt.

The Chair Lift down to Štrbské Pleso costs €8, so we decided to walk down: this wasn't exactly the highlight of the walk.

Téryho chata

We walked up to Téryho chata today from Hrebienok, and it was fairly hard work as weren’t as fit as we could have been. There were also a lot of people on the trail - half of Slovakia seemed to have had the same idea!

The walk takes you down to a spectacular waterfall and then uphill to a popular chata fully equipped with a children’s playground. Thereafter the crowds lessened and we headed uphill again following a stream which supplies water to the hotel below.

The flowers along the path were spectacular, even though it’s July, and the sun shone throughout the walk. The hike steepened as we approaced a series of rock falls and waterfalls, and it was hard going over granite boulders. Passing a small lake, the chata is eventually reached at 2,015m and we find it full, warm and friendly. A refreshing mug of tea with sugar revives us.

All the food, drink and fuel for the chatas is carried from Hrebienok on the backs of porters using tall wooden back packs. The loads are enormous and the faces of the porters show just how heavy the loads are: how they do it I will never know, but we should be grateful for their efforts. You can read more about the life of the porters here.

French Pyrenees Views

Reserve Naturelle de Néouvielle

French Pyrenees Views

Transhumance in Reserve Naturelle de Néouvielle

French Pyrenees Views

Transhumance in Reserve Naturelle de Néouvielle

French Pyrenees Views

Reserve Naturelle de Néouvielle

French Pyrenees Views

Lac d'Aumar

French Pyrenees Views

Lac d'Aumar

French Pyrenees Views

Near Lac d'Aumar

French Pyrenees Views

Lac d'Aumar

French Pyrenees Views

Near Lac d'Aumar

French Pyrenees Views

Near Lac d'Aumar

French Pyrenees Views

Lac d'Aumar

French Pyrenees Views

Lac d'Aumar