Join a certified mountain guide for an unforgettable climb to three dramatic peaks in Slovakia’s High Tatras: Huncovský and both Kežmarské summits.
A Day with a Mountain Guide in Slovakia’s High Tatras
A guided climb in the High Tatras of Slovakia is always a promise of something unforgettable. This particular day took us across three distinctive summits, standing close to one another yet each with its own mood and breathtaking panorama.
Our goal: the Huncovský and Kežmarské peaks—all in a single day.
Preparing for the Climb
We had circled the date on our calendars half a year in advance. The plan was airtight: certified mountain guide, detailed route, proper gear—and the weather forecast looked like it had been ordered straight from a travel brochure. Blue skies, golden morning light… everything seemed set for perfection.
And at dawn, it really looked that way. The peaks glittered above us, the air was crisp, and every step filled us with quiet energy. But the Tatras have a mind of their own.
Climbing Huncovský Peak (2,353 m)
From Skalnaté pleso, we started the ascent along the ridge towards Huncovský štít (2,353 m). Looking back, the mountain lake shimmered below like a polished mirror. Then the mood began to shift—clouds rolled in and a mist crept up the slopes, slowly swallowing the peaks around us.
It was a hypnotic performance of nature. Summits disappeared and reappeared in moving curtains of fog. The mighty Lomnický Peak revealed itself for a heartbeat, only to vanish again for the rest of the day.
After some scrambling we reached the top of Huncovský, rewarded with the first dramatic views of the Belianske Tatras and the Green Lake Valley. Here, our guide roped us in: the next section of ridge demanded technical focus and secure footing.
Across to Malý Kežmarský Peak (2,514 m)
From the saddle below Huncovský we descended briefly, then followed the airy ridge to Malý Kežmarský štít (2,514 m).
Its north face is the highest vertical wall in the entire Tatra range—900 metres of sheer rock with over a hundred climbing routes, many of them extreme. From this hidden summit you get a unique perspective of the massive Kežmarský Peak, with its dramatic couloirs and overhangs that only rock climbers dare to tackle.
Far below, small snowfields—ancient remnants of the last ice age—cling stubbornly to the shadowy ledges.
Final Push to Kežmarský Peak (2,556 m)
The last stretch was both airy and technical. Through gaps in the cloud we caught fleeting glimpses of our final goal—Kežmarský štít (2,556 m).
This is one of the High Tatras’ legendary climbing peaks, officially accessible only with a mountain guide or via established rock-climbing routes. When we finally stood on the summit, we felt not only triumph but a deep respect.
The view was fleeting: Lomnický Peak remained hidden, while the Belianske Tatras and the northern ridges surfaced and sank in the fog like a chain of mysterious islands.
Descent into the Storm
We returned via the Huncovský saddle and down through the Huncovský gully toward Skalnatá Valley. That’s when the sky opened.
Within minutes we were drenched to the bone; the rocks turned slick, every step a careful dance between focus and gravity. We laughed, partly from nerves and partly because there was nothing else to do but accept the mountains as they are.
Back to Skalnaté Pleso
When we finally reached Skalnaté pleso, our clothes were heavy with rain and our legs weary, but the feeling was pure exhilaration.
Three peaks in one day—Three High Tatras Summits—from the golden calm of early morning through mist, fog and a roaring downpour—this is the true face of the Slovak High Tatras: unpredictable, wild and unforgettable. And perhaps that is when you feel the deepest respect—for these mountains and the raw beauty they guard.
Pro tip: Guided ascents like this can be arranged with certified High Tatras mountain guides. They provide the safety equipment and the rope work required for these technical ridges.
Hiking Slovakia. (Distances, timings and access rules follow the official Slovak High Tatras mountain guide regulations.)
