A winter ascent of one of the off-trail peaks of the Great Crown of the Tatras has been our goal for quite a long time. We wanted to start with something accessible – to get some practice, to familiarize ourselves. Baranie rohy, via the variant from Téryho chata, is perfectly suited for this. The route is relatively simple and lacks major technical difficulties. Thanks to fantastic weather and favorable snow conditions, we managed to achieve our goal in the last weekend of February 2025. I invite you to read the report from the ascent of this beautiful Tatra peak!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Baranie rohy – general information
- From Starý Smokovec to Hrebienok
- Approach to Zamkovského chata
- Malá Studená dolina and Téryho chata
- Approach to Baranie sedlo (2,393 m a.s.l.)
- Baranie rohy in winter – the final push
- Descent from Baranie rohy to Starý Smokovec
- Trip map
- Bibliography
Baranie rohy – general information
- Baranie rohy are located in the High Tatras and stand at 2,530 m a.s.l. It is one of the fourteen peaks included in the Great Crown of the Tatras.
- Baranie rohy lie entirely in the Slovak part of the Tatras, and no marked hiking trail leads to them. This is significant because off-trail hiking in the Slovak Tatras is theoretically prohibited and punishable by fines from park rangers.
- Baranie rohy owe their name to their characteristic shape. The mountain has two summits which, when viewed from the northwest (from the Polish side), somewhat resemble a ram’s head.
- The normal route to Baranie rohy leads from Téryho chata through the Baranie sedlo. The approach is technically simple and only in the final phase requires crossing a group of easy rocks (graded 0+/I). For this reason, Baranie rohy are an excellent choice for those beginning their adventure with off-trail exploration of the Slovak part of the Tatras. This post describes exactly this variant.
- A more difficult route (graded II) to Baranie sedlo can also be reached from the Chata pri Zelenom plese through the Veľká Zmrzlá dolina.
- The first recorded ascent of Baranie rohy took place in September 1867, and its author is a figure exceptionally meritorious for the development of Polish mountaineering – Father Józef Stolarczyk, along with his companions. The nearby pass separating the Baranie rohy massif from the Čierny štít massif (2,429 m a.s.l.) was later named Stolarczykovo sedlo after him.
From Starý Smokovec to Hrebienok
We enter the parking lot in Starý Smokovec (1,010 m a.s.l.) around 8:00 AM. The fee is 15 euros [as of February 2025], and it must be paid by card at a self-service machine. Very convenient! One might know that Slovakia is already abroad, yet one always forgets to put a few euros in the wallet. My companions for today’s hike are Martyna (fresh from yesterday’s Medical Final Exam – LEK), Jaromir, and another debutant on my blog, Alicja (incidentally, a guide for the Student Mountain Club in Warsaw). I’m glad we managed to sync up in such a group, as we had been talking about discovering the winter Tatras together many months ago.
After leaving the parking lot, we pass through the center of Starý Smokovec. We walk toward the lower station of the funicular to Hrebienok, passing the buildings of this exceptionally pleasant town. Starý Smokovec is considered the most important resort on the Slovak side of the Tatras. The spa has been growing dynamically since the mid-19th century, and today it houses an important transport hub, the HZS headquarters, and the representative Grand Hotel (founded in 1904 as the first world-class Tatra hotel). The massive block of Slavkovský štít (2,452 m a.s.l.) towering over Smokovec is perfectly visible from everywhere today.
After a few minutes, we leave the buildings of Starý Smokovec and take the green trail to Hrebienok. Our route follows a wide path located between the funicular tracks and the asphalt road. The path is comfortable and gently inclined, so our pace is quite fast. Although it’s February on the calendar, the conditions are very spring-like for now: there isn’t a gram of snow on the trail or in its surroundings. The approach from Smokovec to Hrebienok is about 2 kilometers long and involves less than 300 meters of elevation gain.
Approach to Zamkovského chata
We reach Hrebienok (1,285 m a.s.l.) at about 8:40 AM. There is a whole complex of buildings here, the largest of which houses a grand mountain hotel. Currently, there are practically no people here, but in high season, Hrebienok becomes quite busy. Its popularity is mainly due to the funicular terminating here (very similar to the one we know from Gubałówka).
From Hrebienok, we continue along the red trail – a section of the Tatranská magistrála. As befits a main trail, the path is comfortable and wide. The incline of the terrain remains slight, so we gain elevation very gently. We walk briskly through the upper montane forest, only occasionally glancing at the beautifully visible Prostredný hrot (2,449 m a.s.l.) and Lomnický štít (2,634 m a.s.l.). Two kilometers after leaving Hrebienok, we make a sharp right turn, beginning to traverse the ledge suspended between the various parts of the Malá Studená dolina. The incline remains slight, and beautiful memories come alive in me – after all, I was here just four months ago, during the incredible expedition to Ľadový štít.
We pass the ice-covered Obrovský vodopád (Giant Waterfall) and move further toward the higher parts of the Malá Studená dolina. The trail becomes slightly more slippery on this section, requiring increased concentration. We reach the charming Zamkovského chata (1,467 m a.s.l.) around 9:30 AM. We take a short break here to replenish our energy and, what is critically important during Tatra trips, the blood caffeine levels.
Malá Studená dolina and Téryho chata
From the hut, we continue along the green trail running along the bottom of the gorgeous Malá Studená dolina. In my subjective opinion, this is one of the most beautiful places in the entire Tatras. The space here makes a great impression on me, closed on one side by the Prostredný hrot massif and on the other by the wall of the mighty Lomnický štít. For about 1.5 kilometers, the green trail is rather gentle, running through thick mountain pine. Then, the path begins to climb steeply, signaling the start of the intense approach to the Kotlina Piatich spišských plies. Over the next 1.5 kilometers, we will have to gain 350 meters of elevation. During the laborious climb, the massive, nearly vertical Žltá stena (Yellow Wall) stands out, where some of the hardest climbing routes in the Tatras are located.
At around 11:00 AM, we reach Téryho chata (2,015 m a.s.l.). The popular “Terinka” was built in 1899 by the Hungarian Tourist Association and was named after the founder of that association (and incidentally, the first conqueror of Prostredný hrot and Pyšný štít), Ödön Téry. Today, it is the highest year-round hut in the Tatras, and also one of four where the entire inventory is carried up by porters. We spend about half an hour in Terinka, charging up before the most demanding part of today’s trip.
Approach to Baranie sedlo (2,393 m a.s.l.)
After leaving the hut, we put on our crampons and head directly across the frozen Prostredné Spišské pleso. Choosing the right direction is not a difficult task, as there is a very visible, well-trodden track leading practically to the very summit of Baranie rohy. Similar ice paths also lead to other nearby mountains – to Pyšný štít and to Ľadový štít. All we have to do is stick to the beaten path.
After leaving the surface of the lake, for about another 200 meters, the path is quite gentle. Then, the track starts to climb steeply, forcing us into a significantly more intense effort. Over a distance of less than a kilometer, there are as many as 300 meters of elevation gain. The approach is thus quite physically demanding, but at the same time steady and devoid of any technical difficulties. Along with the acquired altitude, the panorama of the Kotlina Piatich spišských plies and the beautiful Ľadový štít massif becomes increasingly epic. Before us, we have a view of the triangular wall of Baranie rohy and the path running to the right of it.
The final phase of the approach to Baranie sedlo leads through a steep gully and constitutes the most intense part of today’s trip. At this stage, I drive the ice axe in with the other side as well, though to be honest, I do it more for fun than out of real necessity. The track is still well-trodden and heavily frozen, so walking here is literally like climbing giant stairs.
We reach Baranie sedlo (2,393 m a.s.l.) at 12:20 PM, i.e., less than an hour after leaving Téryho chata. The pass separates Baranie rohy from the Spišský štít massif (2,481 m a.s.l.). On the other side, a pleasant panorama opens toward the Veľká Zmrzlá dolina and the Chata pri Zelenom plese looming below. Interestingly, a trodden track also leads to the pass from the other side. However, it’s clear at first glance that the approach from that side is much more demanding.
Baranie rohy in winter – the final push
From Baranie sedlo to the summit, it’s just a stone’s throw away – 140 meters of elevation gain, which is achieved over a distance of 300 meters. The first stage of the approach requires crossing a group of easy rocks. The most characteristic of them requires leaning over and passing under a small overhang. The spot requires concentration and the use of hands, but it shouldn’t pose major difficulties for people accustomed to hiking in the Tatras. After the group of rocks, we have to cross another steep gully. This is the second fragment on today’s route where I make use of the ice axe hammer.
We emerge from the gully onto the vast Barania galéria, i.e., a gentle and wide fragment of the ridge in the immediate vicinity of the summit. As we cover the final meters of elevation, a déjà vu appears in three heads – Martyna’s, Jaromir’s, and mine – simultaneously. Heavens! This fragment looks remarkably like the summit approach to Glittertind, Norway’s second-highest peak. Who would have thought? Twin mountains in such different ranges…
We scramble onto the summit of Baranie rohy at 12:45 PM – 1h 15m from the hut, 4h 45m from the parking lot in Starý Smokovec. So, we have it! The main goal for this winter season has just been achieved! With great satisfaction, we take commemorative photos and enjoy the wonderful visibility. The panorama from Baranie rohy is generally not considered the most spectacular in the Tatras, but with today’s air clarity, it also makes an incredible impression. To the west, the majestic wall of Ľadový štít towers over the Kotlina Piatich spišských plies, inspiring awe. To the left loom Gerlachovský štít, the jagged Bradavica, and its decided opposite – Slavkovský štít. To the north, we spot the Belianske Tatras, while to the east, what personally impressed me the most – the massive north wall of Kežmarský štít and the nearby Lomnický štít. Beautiful thing…
Descent from Baranie rohy to Starý Smokovec
There’s just something about hiking in the Tatras in winter that the sub-zero temperature starts acting as a motivator at some point. Such was the case here as well. After about 20 minutes of admiring the world, we start getting cold (okay, I don’t know if we all did, but I definitely did). So, we start descending the same way we scrambled up. In this direction, the incline of the terrain already works in our favor and causes a quick loss of altitude. After about 45 minutes, we check back into Terinka, where we eat our last snacks and treat ourselves to a well-deserved energy drink (or as Jaromir claims – doping).
When we leave the hut, it turns out that the weather is deteriorating quite significantly. Dark clouds materialize over the peaks, the sun sets, and it gets very gloomy all around. Phew, how good that it’s only happening now! By the way, regarding the weather, in winter I observe a dependence exactly opposite to the one I notice in summer. Well, if the forecast doesn’t come true in winter, it’s most often for the better – that was the case today (they predicted clouds all day), as well as, for example, on Zawrat. In summer, it’s the opposite. Forecasts quite often show full sun, and when it comes down to it, we have fog and visibility for three meters. Well, just a loose digression.
The only difference between the ascent and the descent is made at the end of the route, following the green trail past Rainerova chata and the frozen Vodopády Studeného potoka. At Dlhý vodopád, we turn right, reaching Bilíkova chata via a forest approach and back to Hrebienok. We take another quick photo with a large wooden bear and head toward Starý Smokovec. We reach the car at about 5:00 PM. We thus closed the entire expedition in nine hours, which seems to me a very decent result.
I will remember Baranie rohy as another beautiful chord of the 2024/2025 winter season. This year’s winter might not have spoiled us with a large amount of snow, but we definitely cannot complain about the number of weekend days with ideal visibility. I am also immensely pleased that I have the great luck to discover the mountains with truly fantastic, valuable people. Thanks to you, dear ones! And of course – until next time!
Date of trip: February 23, 2025
Trip statistics: 21 km, 1,800 meters of elevation gain
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Trip map
Bibliography
- Marcisz Andrzej, Wielka Korona Tatr, Wydawnictwo Bezdroża, 2nd Edition, 2021
- Nyka Józef, Nyczanka Monika, Tatry Słowackie, Wydawnictwo Trawers, 12th Edition, Latchorzew 2022.
