Yellow to Skok and the saddle, down Furkotská, red and blue back to the lake. The tiles above show this loop.
The longer description below is about the recommended variant.
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Map and trail profile
Mlynická – Bystrá lávka – Furkotská
Bystrá lávka (2,300 m a.s.l.) is the shortest full high-mountain loop from Štrbské Pleso. The yellow trail goes up Mlynická dolina past Skok waterfall, crosses a rock shelf with chains, and drops into Furkotská dolina. Slovaks call it “the Tatras in miniature”: tarn, waterfall, dwarf pine, ridge.
💡 In a nutshell – Bystrá lávka:
For whom: People who have already held a chain on Giewont and do not mind a narrow shelf. Fitness for a full day.
Difficulties: Chains at Skok and on the saddle. The lávka is a shelf, not a meadow. Jams when someone stands with a phone.
Golden rule: The trail above the waterfall is closed from 1 November to 31 May.
Logistics: Start and finish at the lake. HZS insurance is mandatory. Mlynická up, Furkotská down is less stressful on the descent.
The tiles above count the walking loop from Štrbské Pleso, not the shortcut to the waterfall.
Trail description: Two valleys, one shelf
Stage 1: Mlynická dolina and Skok
From the lake we take the yellow trail. Forest, then dwarf pine, after about 2 h 25 min the step of Skok waterfall (about 25 m). A chain, wet slabs. If it is raining — you turn around here, not on the saddle.
Stage 2: The tarns and the push to the lávka
Above Skok, the Mlynická lakes. The path turns sharply left and climbs to the saddle. From below you see Capie and Okrúhle pleso; ice on the tarns can last into July.
Stage 3: Bystrá lávka
There is little room at the top. Chains on both sides. The view opens to Kriváň and Furkotská. Do not sit in the middle of the shelf while someone behind you hangs on a chain.
Stage 4: Descent via Furkotská
Yellow drops to the junction Pod Furkotskou doliou. Red and blue take you back to Štrbské Pleso. If the legs are left, you can detour to Chata pod Soliskom — the dome has its own card.
Logistics and warnings
Closure: 1 November – 31 May. Source: TANAP, not a TPN bulletin.
Insurance: Horská služba is billed. A one-day policy, not “it will be fine”.
Direction: Mlynická up, Furkotská down. The other way you descend steeper at Skok.
Parking: Paid by the tram and the lake. Full before 9:00 in season. The TEŽ tram from Poprad or Tatranská Lomnica.
Who is this absolutely NOT for?
Do not take your first chain here. Do not go after rain — the slabs at Skok are soap. Do not plan this with a pushchair, and do not treat a “short loop” as a promenade: 1,048 m of ascent stays. If you want a lake without chains, take Popradské pleso.
Yes. A short section at Skok waterfall and on both sides of the saddle. The shelf is narrow — it jams when someone stops for photos.
When is the trail closed?
From 1 November to 31 May. TANAP, not TPN. A winter attempt is a fine plus a bill from Horská služba.
Can I shorten it to the waterfall?
Yes. Skok is in the table. The tiles above count the full loop over the saddle and down Furkotská.
Can I go with a dog or a child?
A dog on a lead is legal in Slovakia, but chains and a jam on the shelf are not for a dog. Children — only if they are steady on rock. This is not a lakeside stroll.
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Next trail in this area
Planning your next hike? From the same starting point and area, we recommend:
Koprowy from Štrbské Pleso: Popradské, Hińczowy, Vyšné Kôprovské, the ridge. The tiles are 20.9 km / 8 h 37 min. No chains, hands on the ridge. 45 min from the pass, not 30. Closed 1 Nov–31 May.
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