Slovak Tatras - trail to Hrebienok and Cold Water Falls – an ideal route from Stary Smokovec
The High Tatras on the Slovak side can delight without the need for many hours of demanding approaches. One of the most rewarding hikes is the route to Hrebienok, or "Gubałówka of Smokowiec" and further to the Cold Water Falls. This is a great proposition especially in spring and autumn, when the higher trails of the High Tatras are closed in Slovakia. It takes about 4 hours, is scenic, varied and relatively easy. This is the perfect route to experience the wonderful Tatras and magical waterfalls, but do not get tired too much. Ideal for beginner lovers of the Tatras or for an expedition with active children! Check out our guide!
Practical information about the route to Hrebienok and Cold Water Falls. Map of trails!
Route length: about 11 km
Transit time: about 4 hours, no longer stops
On the way, you can eat at Hrebienok or Rainerova Chata
How to get to Stary Smokovec? Parking lots
The most convenient starting point for this route is Stary Smokovec (Starý Smokovec). It is a nice and well-connected resort in the Slovak Tatras. How to get here?
By car: from Poland the easiest way is through the passage in Jurgów or Łysa Polana, then through Tatrzańska Łomnica
By train: you can get to Poprad, and from there by the Tatra Electric Railway ("elektriczka") directly to Stary Smokowiec
Parking: in the center, the price of city parking is 15 euros per day (2026). It is true that you can buy it for an hour or two, but it does not save you, because the approach to the last waterfall takes about 2 hours on foot. It is worth looking for private parking lots. We found a parking lot across the street for 8 euros/day.
Beginning of the route – green trail from Stary Smokowiec and funicular
It is a charming town with a long spa history. There is a lower station of the funicular to Hrebienok. It was created as one of the first in the Tatras, at the beginning of the 20th century. The town is also famous for the historic Grand Hotel from 1904. Interestingly, in 2008 Queen Elizabeth II visited the place. We start the hike behind the church and follow the green trail. It runs parallel to the funicular. This part of the route is a bit steep. If you do not feel like approaching, you can go up the aforementioned queue. However, this is not a long walk.
Hrebienok – Saddle "smokowiecka Gubałówka" in the Slovak Tatras
Hrebienok (1285 m above sea level) is a popular viewing point, although its height is lower than the level of Szczyrbskie Lake. In Polish, it is Smokowieckie Saddle or simply Saddle. Poles used to refer to him as "Gubałówka of Smokowiec". It lies on the outcrop of the Slavkov Peak massif (Slavkovský štít) and is a great starting point for further trails. This place is teeming with life at any time of the year. In winter, there are, among others, competitions of snow sculptures. There is gastronomy and a teddy bear sculpture against the background of the Tatra Mountains, with which tourists are happy to take pictures.
Giant Waterfall - Huge waterfall
From Hrebienok we continue to the waterfalls. The green trail reflecting to the right is open in its entirety only seasonally, from June to October. In May, it is open only to the hut, and then closed. It is better not to enter the closed trails because there is a risk of a high fine. That's why it's worth bouncing left onto the red trails. It's great here. Playing the Tatra Mountains and sunshine. The front views, and also it goes much better than at the beginning, because it is less steep. It's just a fairy tale. Behind the bridge over the stream, you have to climb some stones to reach the impressive Giant Waterfall (Obrovský vodopád). It is about 20 meters high and effectively falls in two cascades. Impressive, the bridge directly over the cascade allows you to admire the element up close.
Rainerova Chata (Rainer's Cottage) - the oldest shelter in the Tatras and a museum of porters
Returning, we turn to the green trail, which is accessible from this side in the excerpt. We go to Rainerova Chata (1301 m above sea level) on Staroleśna Polana in the Zimna Woda Valley. It is the oldest existing shelter in the Tatras from 1865. It houses a small museum of porters, i.e. Tatra porters. It is more like a room in a shelter, with souvenirs of carriers who can carry loads weighing up to 100 kg on their backs. It is an atmospheric place with a buffet and a great opportunity for a short rest.
Cold Water Falls: Small, Hidden, Big and Long (Cold Stream Falls)
Next, the trail leads us to the biggest attraction of the entire route. These are Cold Water Falls (Studenovodské vodopády) – a complex of picturesque cascades stretching over a length of about 1.5 km. They are extremely spectacular, and picturesquely located, with the majestic Tatras in the background. The view is breathtaking! Cold Water Falls are formed by 4 cascades:
- Small Waterfall (Malý) – very charming
- Hidden Waterfall (Hidden) – dynamic, viewed from a rock platform limited by a chain
- Great Waterfall (Veľký) – the most popular and probably the most beautiful, with a metal viewing bridge
- Long Waterfall (Dlouhý) – the largest cascade
The first three waterfalls on the list are located close to each other. The last one, Long, is a kilometer away. We did not reach it, because the trail closes there and you have to follow your footsteps, so we let it go. All the more so because the three previous ones have already made a huge impression on us - the charming Little, Secret is a real madman, while the Great is beautiful. In some studies, the set also includes the Giant Waterfall and the lesser-known Troisty. The waterfalls are formed on the Zimna Woda stream, which crosses the rock thresholds of the valley, creating impressive cascades. More than 100 years ago, they were one of the main attractions for patients visiting the Tatras.
Also check out our route to Rysy from the Slovak side!
Route safety
Although the route is quite easy and popular, you should be careful as in the Tatras. Sometimes he wanders on boulders and stones, it's easy to twist his leg. You also have to be careful when it comes to waterfalls. The rocks are slippery and the barriers are not installed everywhere.
Return to Dragonfly
After seeing the waterfalls, we have several options for returning:
- Return along the green trail to the red trail and then to Hrebienok (off-season option), then descend on foot or take the cable car to Stary Smokowiec
- Green trail further to Hrebienok, about 10 minutes (part of the trail behind the Długie waterfall is closed in the off-season)
- Take the yellow trail to Tatrzańska Leśna for about 1 hour, and from there return with an "electrician" (you need to buy a ticket in advance, because there is no vending machine on the train)
Why should you take this route in Slovakia?
It's one of those routes that meets almost every need - great views of mountains, waterfalls, nature, history and easy logistics. It is also easy in itself. Perfect for a quiet day in the Tatras, also with children or off-season, when the higher trails are still closed. Hrebienok and the Cold Water Falls are a hit!
Where to stay in the area? Nights
When visiting the region of the High Tatras, it is worth considering accommodation in nearby towns. We stayed at the Natur Resort in Wielka Lomnica, which turned out to be a great starting point for exploring the whole area. The resort is located in a very picturesque place, overlooking the ridge of the Tatra Mountains and the dominant town of Łomnica. What is particularly memorable is not only the comfortable conditions, but also the very good food. This type of accommodation base allows you to combine active sightseeing with a moment of rest in a really pleasant environment.
Here you will find a wide selection of accommodations. By booking your stay on Booking.com through our link, you support the development of our blog — and we thank you in advance! It helps us reach many interesting places that we later love to show you and share our experiences and information with you.
Rent a car
Exploring becomes much easier when you have your own means of transport. You don’t have to worry about buses or taxis, and you can plan each day your way. The search box below will help you find the right car – right where your journey begins.
What's worth seeing in the area?
If you have already visited this attraction, it is also worth visiting several other interesting ones places nearby. Within a radius of 100 kilometers you will find many interesting places places that can diversify your stay in this part of Poland.
- Crown of the Polish Mountains, distance: 9.5 km
- Rysy, distance: 9.5 km
- Pieniny National Park, distance: 30.5 km
- Three Crowns, distance: 30.5 km
- Observation tower in Krynica Zdrój, distance: 58.9 km
- Babia Góra, distance: 67 km
- Bochnia Salt Mine, distance: 90 km
- Wieliczka Salt Mine, distance: 91.1 km
- Castle in Żywiec, distance: 93.5 km
- Zakrzówek in Kraków, distance: 99.1 km
