Early start at Slovakia, Hihg Tatras, Štrbské pleso. The Wahlenberg Lakes hike in the Furkotská Valley is part of this year’s 7 Peaks 3 Lakes challenge. We set out from Štrbské pleso, following the classic High Tatras hiking trail through Mlynická Valley and over Bystrá Saddle.
7 a.m. – empty parking lot, crisp air, only a few fellow hikers. We follow the yellow trail past the ski jumps and up into the forest, where the sounds of the Mlynica stream and chirping birds replace traffic noise.
Waterfalls, alpine flowers, and silent peaks
The Mlynická Valley trek reveals its beauty early – we arrive at the base of Skok waterfall, still gushing despite the summer heat. Chains help us over the rocky step to reach Pleso nad Skokom.
Volie and Kozie Lakes follow, surrounded by wildflowers. We stop at a memorial for a 1979 helicopter crash – a quiet moment among peaks. Then another climb, and the view opens to Capie pleso and the towering ridgelines of the Bašty.
Bystrá Saddle and the icy jewel
The final push brings us to Bystrá Saddle – the highest point of the Wahlenberg Lakes hike. Here, the peaks feel close enough to touch. We begin a careful descent on scree, and suddenly, there it is: Vyšné Wahlenbergovo pleso, still blue and still as glass.
A bit lower lies Low Wahlenberg lake, set in a blooming slope of pasque flowers. It’s hard not to stop every few meters just to stare.
Descent through dwarf pines and a well-earned beer
The trail leads us back into dwarf pines. At the Škutnastá poľana crossroads, we take the blue path to the Chata pod Soliskom hut. One cold beer later, we climb to Predné Solisko for the view – no regrets.
Lunch at the hut, then we float downhill by cable car like mountain royalty. One more summit in our legs, and one more memory carved into the Tatras.o väčšina bežných týždňov.
