Loop Hike Via Priečne Sedlo

Crossing the saddleback Priečne sedlo is a very popular but challenging all-day hike. However, it’s not suitable for everyone – the stretch through the saddle from Malá to Veľká Studená dolina or vice versa is exposed and secured by chains. We can shorten the hike by overnight stay at one of the chalets Téryho chata, Zbojnícka chata or Zamkovského chata, perhaps even by using a funicular to Hrebienok. All chalets also have the option of refreshment. We start early in the morning from Starý Smokovec at the funicular station to Hrebienok. We get to Hrebienok by a slight climb on a green marked hiking trail in about 0,55 h. From Hrebienok we set out on a comfortable wide trail to a junction called Rázcestie nad Rainerovou chatou (0,20 h ). From here we continue along the red and green trails through the valley Malá Studená dolina in the direction of the chalet Zamkovského chata. Along the way we pass the waterfall Obrovský vodopád. From the chalet we continue along the green trail . The climb is gradual, the steep climb begins under parts called Malý and Veľký Hang. We slowly ascend on the rocky hairpin bends till we get to Téryho chata. At the chalet there are 5 tarns called Päť Spišských plies. The chalet is surrounded by such peaks like Lomnický štít, Pyšný štít, Ľadový štít or Prostredný hrot. We continue 1,15h along the yellow and green trail to a junction Rázcestie pod Priečnym sedlom, from where we can make a few-minute detour on the green trail to see a blue tarn called Modré pleso. Otherwise the green trail leads to a saddleback Sedielko and through a valley Javorová dolina to Tatranská Javorina. Instead, we go back to the junction and continue on a yellow trail to Priečne sedlo. It’s an exposed climbing terrain secured by chains from Malá and Veľká Studená dolina. During the main summer season it is also necessary to prepare for waiting, the passage over the saddle is possible in both directions. After crossing the saddle we get enchanted by the view of the valley Veľká Studená dolina and the tarns Sivé plesá. We pass along Starolesnianske pleso and Sesterské plesá and after 1,20 h we arrive at the chalet Zbojnícka chata. Here it is possible to stay the night and continue the next day for example to a saddleback Prielom. We are returning back to Hrebienok 1,55 h ( ) and after 0,45 h we arrive at Starý Smokovec.