Climbing Gerlachovský štít

Gerlachovský štít, at 2,655 m, is not only the highest peak in the High Tatras and in Slovakia, but also in the entire Carpathians.

As with most other Tatra summits, there is no marked trail to Gerlachovský štít, so it is not accessible to regular hikers. Unless you are a climber, the only option is to hire a mountain guide, who will lead you to the summit and ensure your safety.

Ascent of Gerlachovský štít

Gerlachovský štít can be climbed by several routes. The most common, and the easiest in summer conditions, is the so-called classic route, ascending through Velická dolina and the Velická próba, then descending via Batizovská dolina and the Batizovská próba.

The hike to Gerlach usually starts at Sliezsky dom, where you meet your mountain guide. From there, you head past Velické pleso and the Večný dážď waterfall to the edge of Kvetnica, the flatter part of Velická dolina. Here you leave the marked trail and continue toward the base of the Velická próba.

Below the Velická próba, you put on helmets, harness up, rope in, and start the first demanding section of the climb, made slightly easier by iron rungs. After this section comes a steep ascent to the saddle above Kotol at 2,440 m, followed by an airy traverse above the Gerlachovský kotol. You pass below the summits of Kotlový štít and Gerlachovská veža and continue to the summit cross on top of Gerlachovský štít.

If the weather cooperates, you will have time for a snack on Gerlach while enjoying superb views. You can see, for example, Kriváň, Lomnický štít, Slavkovský štít, the Belianske Tatras, and the Low Tatras.

Descent from Gerlachovský štít

The most common descent from Gerlachovský štít follows the steep and fairly demanding Batizovský žľab gully. The real crux is the exposed section with iron rungs in the Batizovská próba. Once past this section, only a relatively easy descent remains to Batizovské pleso, and from there you return on the red-marked Tatra Magistral back to Sliezsky dom.

Gerlachovský štít with a mountain guide

Book your mountain guide as far in advance as possible. During the main season, there is strong demand for a Gerlach ascent as well as for other Tatra peaks.

The guide will agree on a date with you in advance and, shortly before the climb, will assess safety based on the weather. If conditions are not suitable, no unnecessary risks are taken and the ascent is moved to another date.

What else does the mountain guide provide?

By prior arrangement, the guide can lend you a harness and helmet, and if needed also an ice axe and crampons. You, on the other hand, need to bring suitable clothing, sturdy hiking boots, and enough food and fluids—essentially much the same as for other alpine hikes in the High Tatras.

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Best time for the ascent

It depends on the weather, but usually from June to October. The ascent is also possible in winter, but it is much more demanding.

How many people can one mountain guide take?

A maximum of 3 people. On harder tours and in winter conditions, 2 people.

Other routes to Gerlachovský štít

Besides the classic ascent via the Velická próba, other routes are also used to climb Gerlachovský štít:

Ascent via the Batizovská próba (difficulty I)

Ascent and descent by the same route, usually used in poor conditions when the classic route is too demanding.

Ascent via the Tatarkova próba, also known as Gipsy’s Ferrata (difficulty II–III)

A longer and more difficult variant of the ascent of Gerlachovský štít. From Velická dolina, the route branches off near Dlhé pleso toward the Tatarkova próba (Gipsy’s Ferrata), equipped with chains and iron rungs, and then climbs to Gerlachovské sedlo. From the saddle, the beautiful Martinovka ridge leads to the summit of Gerlachovský štít.

Ascent via Martin’s Route, “Martinka” (difficulty II–III)

A beautiful, long ridge hike from Litvorové sedlo to the summit of Gerlach.

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