Kriváň (2,494 m a.s.l.) is one of the highest and most popular peaks in the Tatra Mountains. It’s easily recognizable thanks to its distinctive, curved silhouette, which stands out beautifully against the surrounding summits. Located on the western edge of the High Tatras, it offers slightly different yet incredibly interesting views. Despite its impressive height, the ascent is surprisingly easy and doesn’t involve any technical difficulties. Here’s a report from a winter hike to Kriváň starting in the village of Štrbské Pleso.
General information
- Kriváň is the second-highest peak in the Tatras accessible by a marked hiking trail (after Rysy). The blue trail begins at the “Road of Youth” (Cesta mládeže) and crosses the Tatra Magistrala. Another route, marked in green, starts from Tri studničky (“Three Springs”), also on the same road, and joins the blue trail shortly before the summit. For this reason, the most popular hiking option is a loop that starts and ends at the parking area in Tri studničky.
- From November 1 to May 31, TANAP (Tatra National Park) closes all hiking trails above the level of mountain huts. This means that a winter ascent of Kriváň is technically against the regulations and done at your own risk – and you may face a fine of uncertain amount (depending on the ranger’s discretion). There is a TANAP ranger station in Tri studničky, which increases the likelihood of being noticed. Therefore, in winter it’s best to go up and down via the blue trail.
- Kriváň is the highest point of the largest side ridge in the Tatras, branching off from the main ridge near Cubryna. The summit rises about 1,400 meters above the bottom of the adjacent Kôprová Valley – the greatest relative elevation difference anywhere in the Tatras.
- Kriváň is one of the fourteen peaks included in the “Great Crown of the Tatras” and, together with Slavkovský štít, forms a pair of the easiest summits to climb in this prestigious group.
- The mountain is deeply rooted in folklore, local songs, and legends. Its first ascent was most likely made by an anonymous poacher or miner (as gold mines existed on Kriváň’s slopes from the 15th century until they were closed in the late 18th century due to poor yields). The first recorded ascent was made by the Hungarian pastor Andreas Jonas Czirbesz and his guides in 1772. In 1805, the summit was visited by the Polish geologist and Enlightenment activist Stanisław Staszic. Just a year later, the first primitive “shelter” in the Tatras was built below Kriváň, near today’s Tri studničky — a wooden hut erected to serve as a base for an intended expedition of Archduke Joseph. Although the trip never happened, the hut began to serve the growing number of mountain visitors.
- Kriváň is considered Slovakia’s national mountain and played an important role in shaping Slovak national identity. In 1841, Ľudovít Štúr – one of the fathers of Slovak independence – climbed the mountain with a group of supporters. Since then, annual “national ascents” have taken place, celebrating Slovak independence from Hungary. The tradition continues to this day, usually in mid-August, attracting around 500 participants each year. Quite a crowd — though, to be fair, on the Polish side of the border, similar “national ascents” of Rysy happen almost daily during the summer season! 😄
- The name “Kriváň” comes from its distinctive, “crooked” peak. The summit appears on Slovak euro cent coins and once featured on the coat of arms of the Slovak Socialist Republic (which existed within Czechoslovakia between 1969 and 1990).
Trip description
We arrive at the Štrbské Pleso “central parkovisko” (1,347 m a.s.l.) just after 8 a.m. [as of February 2025, the full-day parking fee is 12 euros, payable by card]. Today I’m hiking with Martyna, Jaromir, and Dominik — a newcomer to my modest blog. Despite being in the middle of winter and in one of Slovakia’s most popular ski resorts, most of the parking area is surprisingly empty. Hardly a shock though — even high up in the Tatras there’s barely any snow this season.
The first fifteen minutes of our trip lead us through the quiet streets of Štrbské Pleso. We pass the resort’s small center and the elegant Grand Hotel. About 700 meters after leaving the car, we join the red trail — a section of the famous Tatra Magistrala. It’s the main long-distance hiking trail across the Slovak Tatras, originally marked at the end of the 19th century. In our section, it connects Štrbské Pleso with the valleys lying below Kriváň.
The red trail follows a wide, pleasant path through sparse forest and open views. To the left stretches a broad panorama of the Liptov Basin and the Low Tatras, while to the right we see nearby peaks — Predné Solisko with its ski lift, the southern ridge of Ostrá, and our goal for the day — Kriváň. From the trail, you can also spot the old ski jumping tower of Štrbské Pleso from a unique angle. Twice, our path crosses groomed cross-country skiing tracks. We follow the Tatra Magistrala for about 4.5 km, gaining only 100 meters in elevation.
At around 9:30 a.m., a little over an hour after leaving the car, we reach the trail junction by Jamské pleso (1,447 m a.s.l.). There’s a wooden shelter here — and under it, we spot a man dressed in camouflage. “Oh no, a ranger. Guess that’s the end of our Kriváň plans,” I think to myself. Luckily, he just smiles and cheerfully greets us with “ahojte!”. Relieved, we return the greeting and turn right onto the blue-marked hiking trail.
And now the real climb begins! The slope gradually steepens as the trail winds through a dense mountain forest. It’s a steady ascent, and we gain height quickly. Although it’s February, the conditions feel more like spring — little snow around, but plenty of icy patches on the path. We’re now walking through the Jamské moraines, a massive complex formed long ago by the merging glaciers of the Važecká and Furkotská valleys.
After about twenty minutes, we leave the upper forest zone and enter my favorite belt of mountain pine. The path climbs along the so-called Pavlov Ridge. Ahead looms the massive wall of Kriváň, while to the right opens a stunning panorama over the Važecká Valley and the peaks of Krátka (2,375 m), Jamská Kopa (2,079 m), the southern ridge of Ostrá, and the Solisko ridge. We’ll get used to this view — it’ll stay with us for the next few hours. Behind us stretches an equally impressive panorama of the entire Low Tatras range and, farther away, the Greater Fatra Mountains. As we climb higher, gentle ridges of the Western Tatras start appearing to our left.
Around 10:40 we finally leave the dwarf pine belt and reach a charming, grassy terrace called Nad Pavlovou (1,921 m a.s.l.). At this point, the standard summer route branches left, following an old mining path. The winter variant, however, continues straight up along the rocky-grassy slope (you can see the exact route of the winter variant on the map at the end of this article).
The ascent here is tough and relentless — we gain about 300 meters of elevation over less than a kilometer. The lower part of the slope is still reasonably covered with snow, but higher up huge patches of rock and dry brownish grass remain exposed. The steep terrain surely plays a role, but it’s still a strange sight. How is it possible that in the middle of winter, at 2,000 meters above sea level in the Tatras, we actually have to look for a properly snow-covered spot?
And finally, we reach the ridge. The terrain now becomes a pleasant mix of rock and snow, and around 11:30 we stand on the minor summit of Little Kriváň (2,334 m a.s.l.). From here, the main peak of Kriváň reveals itself in full splendor. To the right stretches a magnificent panorama of countless Tatra peaks bathed in sunlight.
The route from Little Kriváň to the main summit follows a half-kilometer-long ridge — narrow in a few spots, but generally easy and not exposed. The final climb steepens just before the top, giving me a chance to make real use of the ice axe I’ve been carrying all morning. Although this section requires focus, there are no technical difficulties at all. Kriváň is therefore a perfect choice for those who crave stunning Tatra views but aren’t yet confident in steep or rocky terrain.
We reach the summit of Kriváň just after noon — less than four hours after leaving the parking lot in Štrbské Pleso. Our moods are high, as the views are absolutely phenomenal. From up here you can see practically everything: dozens (if not hundreds) of peaks across both the High and Western Tatras. Because Kriváň stands slightly apart from the main High Tatras ridge, it offers a truly unique and refreshing perspective on these beloved mountains.
Although a proud Slovak flag flutters at the top, today we meet only fellow Poles on the summit. We exchange kind words, take pictures for each other, open our thermoses of now-lukewarm coffee, and soak in one of the most breathtaking Tatra panoramas. We stay at the top for about half an hour — quite a respectable time given the winter conditions.
We descend from Kriváň the same way we came up – following the blue winter trail. A few minutes before 4 p.m., we’re already standing on the frozen surface of Štrbské Pleso. What does that mean? Well, it means that for the first time this winter, we managed to finish a hike in the Tatras while it was still daylight :D. We get into the car in really good spirits. The hike to Slovakia’s national mountain may not have been the toughest challenge of our mountain “career,” but it brought us countless breathtaking views and a great dose of positive energy. What’s more, in summer Kriváň is often a crowded peak – but today we got to enjoy its beauty in almost complete solitude. Thanks, Team!
Date of the hike: February 1, 2025
Hike stats: 19 km, 1,355 meters of elevation gain
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Route map
Bibliography
- Marcisz, Andrzej, Wielka Korona Tatr, Bezdroża Publishing, 2nd Edition, 2021
- Nyka, Józef & Nyczanka, Monika, Tatry Słowackie, Trawers Publishing, 12th Edition, Latchorzew 2022
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