Kôprovský štít and Veľké Hincovo pleso

After our recent hike to Baranec, we decided to head to the High Tatras. This time we picked Kôprovský štít (2,363 m) and Veľké Hincovo pleso (1,948 m) — the largest and deepest tarn in Slovakia.

Veľké Hincovo pleso seen from Kôprovský štít

Summary

Map

🧭 View the route on mapy.cz

We start in the morning at one of the car parks at Štrbské pleso (€10/day) and set off along the 🟥 red trail. Even though it’s a Wednesday, there are plenty of hikers around. On weekends it would be even busier.

To Popradské pleso

The nature trail climbs gently and runs mostly through the forest. After about two hours we reach Majláthova chata at Popradské pleso. We stop for a bit, but there’s still a long way to go so we don’t linger.

ℹ️ Anyone heading to Rysy from here can load up an extra 5–10 kg backpack with supplies for Chata pod Rysmi. The reward for the effort is a free tea at the finish. 😊

We continue along the 🟦 blue trail towards Veľké Hincovo pleso. First through the woods, then after a few hundred metres we’re out in the open with nice views of the surrounding peaks. The crowds are thinning, but there are still quite a few of us.

We reach the junction at Žabí potôčik, where we run into people heading for Rysy on the red trail. We carry on along the blue.

The Hincovo tarns

As we approach the lake, its “eyes” start appearing — smaller pools of water. To the left we spot Malé Hincovo pleso, and just a few steps later we see the calm surface of Veľké Hincovo pleso. We rest on a rock and have something to eat. It’s peaceful and the tarn looks gorgeous, though compared to Zelené pleso it doesn’t have quite the same intimate feel.

After our break we debate whether we have enough time for Kôprovský štít. One look up at it settles the question — we can’t resist — and we head for Vyšné Kôprovské sedlo. From there it’s just a few dozen more minutes.

We climb the switchbacks slowly, each level offering a different view of Hincovo pleso. At the saddle we don’t hang around. Time is pushing us, so we press straight on towards the summit. There are very few people up here now.

Even though we’re moving faster, you need to be careful. Loose gravel in places makes it easy to slip, and there are a few stretches where a moment’s inattention could mean an ugly fall of tens of metres.

Kôprovský štít

As we tackle the last few metres, a pair of hikers leave the small summit. The peak is ours, at least for now. The views are breathtaking, in every direction. We can see Hincovo pleso below us and the surrounding peaks all around. We’re especially struck by the “far side” of Kriváň — it looks like some hunched old man.

Birds glide and caw around the peak, their calls echoing into the distance. Tiny birds fly right up to us, probably used to tourists leaving crumbs behind.

It’s so beautiful up here that we don’t want to leave. But we’re only halfway through the hike, so after half an hour we start the slow descent. Back down to the saddle, then the switchbacks to the Hincovo tarns. We eat one more apple while looking out over the water, then get moving again.

Majláthova chata

The way down goes quickly. Barely any hikers around. We re-enter the forest we passed through just a few hours ago in the other direction. A few more steps and we’re back at Majláthova chata. This time we stay longer. At the outdoor tables we have a lovely mushroom soup, a tasty vegan mango pudding, and a warm hut tea.

Dusk is slowly settling in, so we set off on the last stretch back to Štrbské pleso — this time along the 🟩 green trail. Along the way we “collect” other late hikers and end up walking in a fairly large group. We’re like sheep in a flock — single file, to the sound of a bear bell.

The hotel buildings start to appear. We stop briefly by the shore of Štrbské pleso. And then we’re at the car park. Today’s hike is done.

Translated from the Slovak original.