Slovakia · High Tatras · Premium route guide
High Tatras and Slovak Paradise
Tatra peaks, Slovak Paradise gorges and the old towns of Spis in one day.
A loop under the High Tatras from Poprad, west through Liptov, then south into the Slovak Paradise and back via Spisska Nova Ves and Levoca. Built from our own track.
- Distance
- 275.8 km
- Peak elevation
- 1,331 m
- Elevation gain
- 2,833 m
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Slovakia · Presov · Zilina · Kosice
- Loop
- 100% paved
The route
A loop from Poprad up to Tatranska Lomnica, along the Tatras road to Strbske Pleso, down via Podbanske and Pribylina to Liptovsky Mikulas, back east on the old road through Vazec to Vernar, across the Slovak Paradise to Dedinky, then Spisska Nova Ves, Levoca and Poprad.
Works with Garmin, TomTom, BMW Navigator, Calimoto, Kurviger, komoot, MyRouteApp. Import as a track to ride the exact line. Road data from OpenStreetMap (ODbL); elevation from SRTM.
Track vs. route, how to load this into your GPS
What you are downloading is a GPX track, a dense, road-snapped breadcrumb of the exact line, with elevation on every point. It is not a GPX route (a short list of turn waypoints your device re-plans between). Tracks preserve our road choice; routes let the device pick its own way and can send you down a boring motorway shortcut.
How to use it on your navigator:
- BMW Navigator / Garmin Zumo / zumo XT: import as a track, then Convert to Route (or Trip Planner, new trip from track) if you want turn by turn prompts. Keep Recalculation off so it stays on our line.
- TomTom Rider: import the GPX in MyDrive, it loads as a track / itinerary. Enable Follow the exact route so it does not re-plan.
- Calimoto: open the GPX and choose Import as tour, Calimoto follows the track line.
- Kurviger / komoot / MyRouteApp: open the GPX and pick Import as track to keep the road choice. Only choose Import as route if you want the app to re-plan for your bike profile.
- Google Maps / Apple Maps: these do not read GPX. Use the map on this page for turn cues, or import the file into a GPX capable app first.
Rule of thumb: if your device asks "track or route?", pick track to ride our exact line, pick route only if you want the device to re-plan.
Elevation profile
From ~450 m at the base to 1,331 m at the top, 2,833 m of total climbing across the route.
Our track is 276 km with about 2,833 m of climbing, about 7 to 8 hours of riding. It is 276 km, inside your 250 to 320 km target.
Why ride it
The full Tatras skyline, the climb to Strbske Pleso, the forested roads of the Slovak Paradise around Dedinky and the UNESCO town of Levoca.
Hazards
Minor roads in the Slovak Paradise have patched, broken tarmac and potholes. Tourist traffic around Strbske Pleso in summer.
Fuel
Fuel in Poprad, Liptovsky Mikulas, Spisska Nova Ves and Levoca. Fill up before the Vernar to Dedinky section.
Best months and difficulty
May to October. Difficulty: moderate.
What to see along the way
- Poprad - Start and finish.
- Tatranska Lomnica - Tatras resort and cable car.
- Strbske Pleso - Mountain lake, the highest point of the loop.
- Liptovsky Mikulas - Main town of Liptov. Fuel.
- Vernar - Gateway to the Slovak Paradise.
- Dedinky - Lake village in the Slovak Paradise.
- Spisska Nova Ves - Town with a long market square. Fuel.
- Levoca - UNESCO walled town.
- Spis Castle (optional) - One of the largest castles in Central Europe, about 15 km east of Levoca. Not on the GPX.
Rent a bike
Rent a motorcycle or scooter for High Tatras and Slovak Paradise
Flying in? Pick up a bike near the start of the route. We've pre-filled the pick-up city with Poprad - change it if you're basing elsewhere.
Rentals powered by BikesBooking. StayToRide may earn a small commission - no extra cost to you.
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