Strbské pleso (High Tatras)

One of the most famous Tatra spits, accessible to the general public. It is situated at an altitude of 1346.6 m above sea level and is the second largest pleso on the Slovak side. It has an area of 19.8 hectares and a depth of 20 metres. It is covered with ice for an average of 155 days a year. Interestingly, its frozen surface witnessed the Ice Hockey World Championship in 1925. Today you can enjoy the atmosphere of this lake from the shore from the Štrbské pleso Nature Trail or directly from the water surface. Boating has a tradition of more than 130 years on Štrbské Pleso.

Štrbské pleso (1 346 m above sea level) is the most famous and most visited Tatra lake. Throughout the whole year it enchants with its beautiful scenery with a view of the peaks of the High Tatras. In summer, boating on its water surface is one of the favourite activities of tourists.

Štrbské Pleso is one of the three local districts of Štrba, in the foothills of the High Tatras, dominated by the moraine lake with the same name. This typical moraine lake is the second largest lake in Slovakia. A cog railway leads from the Štrba railway station to Štrbské Pleso.

The surroundings of Štrbské Pleso is an important Tatra tourism centre. Staying in this resort is simply one of the unforgettable experiences.

In the summer months, the surface of Štrbské Pleso has a magical atmosphere and it is the only place where you can rowing in a boat and contemplate the beautiful nature with view of the peaks of the Tatras. From here you can also by cable car to Solisko, from where you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the magical Štrbské pleso.

The name derives from its location in the historical Štrbská chotári. Before the arrival of tourists, it was known to coal miners, hunters, woodcutters and herbalists. Until 1901 it belonged to the Szentiványi family from Liptov. Then it was bought by the Hungarian state.

The people of Štrbč threatened and even tried to drain the lake in 1860 in order to get a pasture instead of a "worthless puddle". Since the end of the 19th century, the lake was artificially stocked and ice was broken in winter for cooling purposes - it was exceptionally clean, so it was in great demand and was imported to Budapest, Berlin and Vienna, for example.

Source : www.vysoketatry.com

Cover photo: M. Hajkovský, OOCR Región Vysoké Tatry