Wielka Świstówka (Veľká Svišťovka)

Wielka Świstówka (2,037 m a.s.l.) is a peak lying on the route of the famous Tatra Magistrala. It is not a soaring tower, but rather a vast, stony dome. It is one of the most spectacular routes in the Slovak High Tatras, offering incredible contrasts – from a gentle, forested valley to a raw, rocky ridge. The traverse across Świstówka is one of the most scenically beautiful sections in the entire Tatras.

This route connects two extremely popular places: Zelené pleso (the Green Tarn) and Skalnaté pleso (the Rocky Tarn). Remember, however, that on the approach from the Zelené pleso side you will encounter chains and steep exposure.

💡 In a nutshell – Wielka Świstówka:

1. Two beautiful tarns: The route connects the emerald Zelené pleso with Skalnaté pleso.
2. Chains on the approach: The section of the red trail above Zelené pleso leads up a steep gully secured with chains.
3. It is not a loop: You start at the Biela Voda car park and descend to Tatranská Lomnica (from where you must take a bus back to your car).
4. The descent can be shortened: Instead of walking down to Lomnica (which is hard on the knees), you can take the gondola down from Skalnaté pleso.

💡 Logistics Pro Tip: Because the route is not a loop (start in Biela Voda, finish in Tatranská Lomnica), it is best to park your car in Tatranská Lomnica in the morning and take a bus (SAD) to the start. This way, after an exhausting descent, you can get straight into your car instead of waiting at a bus stop!

Trail description: The Magistrala Traverse

The figures at the top of the page show a long, one-way trip starting at the Biela Voda car park and finishing in Tatranská Lomnica (from where you will return to the car park by bus or minibus).

Stage 1: To Zelené pleso

We start from the Biela Voda car park (cost approx. 10-15 EUR/day, cash only) and join the yellow trail.

• This is a long (about 3 hours) but gentle walk along a wide gravel road through the forest, alongside the Kežmarská Biela voda stream. The road is comfortable enough that you will often be passed by cyclists and cars supplying the mountain hut.
• Along the way there is a spring (Šalviový prameň) where you can refill your water supplies.
• We reach the Hut at Zelené pleso (Chata pri Zelenom plese). The view of the emerald water surrounded by the vertical, 900-metre walls of Malý Kežmarský štít and Jastrabia veža is one of the best frames in the Tatras. It is worth eating garlic soup here before the climb!

Stage 2: Chains to Świstówka

From the hut we join the red trail (the Tatra Magistrala). Here the actual climb begins.

• The path climbs sharply upwards in zigzags. With every metre, the view of the valley and the tarn below becomes more and more mind-blowing.
• In the upper part we enter a steep, rocky gully secured with chains. It is not the difficulty level of Orla Perć, but it requires the use of hands, surefootedness and a lack of fear of heights. In winter this place is a deadly avalanche trap.
• After overcoming the difficulties we emerge onto Sedlo pod Svišťovkou (Rakuski Przechód), from where in 5 minutes we walk onto the vast summit of Wielka Świstówka. The panorama of the Podtatrze region and nearby peaks from here is sensational.

Stage 3: Descent to Skalnaté pleso

From the summit we descend the red trail towards Skalnaté pleso.

• The descent is gentler, and before our eyes we constantly have the massive wall of Lomnica and the astronomical observatory visible from afar.
• By the tarn there is a restaurant, a gondola station and a great playground for children (Marmot Land).
• From Skalnaté pleso we descend the green trail to the Štart station, and then to Tatranská Lomnica.
• Tip: The descent to Lomnica is long and hard on the knees. You can skip it by taking the gondola down (saving about 2 hours).