European Mountains, Poland/Slovakia

Rysy (2503m)

Primary factor: 166m
Hiked: July 2013
See also:
• Gerlachovský štít • Kriván
• Slavkovský štít
See also : Other European mountains on westcoastpeaks.com


Rysy and other high Tatra peaks seen from Kriván

Rysy and other high Tatra peaks seen from Kriván
(Click for larger image)

 

Introduction

Rysy is located in the High Tatra (Vysoké Tatry) mountain region, on the Polish and Slovakian border. Rysy is the high point of Poland and the highest peak in Slovakia which is accessible to hikers without a mountain guide.

The route from the Polish side begins at Lake Morskie Oko and is considered to be a harder and steeper route than the Slovakian route which begins near the village Strbske Pleso. Note that the Slovakian route is only open to the public in the period June 16 - October 31. This is also the route described on this page.

There are two main summits on Rysy; the northwest top (2499m) is the Poland high point, while the southeast top (2503m) is located inside Slovakia and is the Rysy high point. 

The route from the Slovakian side offers no difficulties, other than its length, vertical gain and a short and somewhat exposed section which has fixed aids you can make use of.

 

Rysy - hidden in fog, seen from Mengusovska valley

Rysy - hidden in fog, seen from Mengusovska valley
(Click for larger image)

 

Primary factor:

Rysy (2503m, UTM 34 U 433571 5447792) has a primary factor of 166m towards the higher parent Vysoká (2547m). The saddle is found in pass Sedlo Váha (34 U 433651 5447436) at 2337m

 

Chata pod Rysmi

Chata pod Rysmi
(Click for larger image)

 

Google map

Google's interactive map. You can zoom, pan and click on the markers.
 

 

Route descriptions

This disclaimer is regarding all of the literature and instructional guides posted on the westcoastpeaks.com website. These instructions are guidelines only, and should not be used in lieu of common sense or judgment when attempting any of the actions involved or instructed. Westcoastpeaks nor myself will not be liable nor will it indemnify any form of compensation to anyone who has injured, harmed or even killed themselves or others while following any of the instructions written within the website. It should be noted by any persons willing to undertake any of the instructions provided that mountains offer varying levels of risk, regardless of size or incline. Risks to be considered are as follows but not limited to: wild animals, weather, the terrain, bad judgment, inappropriate or insufficient equipment, improper training or experience and of course, bad luck...

 

Route 1: Strbske Pleso - Rysy 2499m

Difficulty : YDS Class 1
Exposure : A short section
Comments : A very popular hike
Distance : Approx. 9,6km to the top
Time : Approx. 4-5 hours to the top
Starting Elev.: Approx. 1260m
Vertical Gain : Approx. 1240m (total)
Map of the area
Map of the area
 (No Javascript)
 Map of the area
Map of the area
 (No Javascript)


This route description is valid per July 2013

Access

(all distances are approx. distances)

The starting point for this route description is the village Strbske Pleso - located at the southern foothills of the Tatra mountains. You can get there by train from the nearby town Poprad.

1,2km east of the Strbske Pleso junction (N49.11125 E20.07155) on highway 537, you will find the road to Popradské Pleso (N49.11644 E20.08206). This road will also take you to Strbske Pleso if you continue past the trailhead.

Drive 1,4km until you reach the railroad track. Find parking alongside the road.

 

The route:

 

The route (Google Earth)

The route (Google Earth)
(Click for larger image)

 

  1. Follow the service road to Popradské Pleso for 4km. You will see a trail fork at 1500m (N49.15420 E20.07765)  just before the road down to Horský hotel. From here, the route to Rysy is estimated to take 3h:20m. It might take a bit longer if you choose to carry a sack of coal in trade of a cup of tea at the mountain chalet...

    (Ignore the trail fork approx. 260m before Popradské Pleso)



     

    The route to Popradské Pleso

    The route to Popradské Pleso
    (Click for larger image)


     

  2. Follow the trail into Mengusovska Dolina valley for 1,2km until you reach another trail fork at 1580m (N49.16324 E20.07097). Turn right (northeast) here. The route to Rysy is estimated to 2h:45m from here.
     
  3. The trail now climbs to Lake Velké Žabie pleso and switchbacks up to the mountain chalet Chata Pod Rysmi at 2250m (N49.17476 E20.08729) - 3,5km total. Click here for their web site. You pass a slightly exposed section alongside the waterfall, but this section has fixed aids.

     

    Rysy and the route from the Slovakian side

    Rysy and the route from the Slovakian side
    (Click for larger image)



    The chalet has 14 beds and is open in the period June 15 - Oct 31.
     

  4. Follow the trail for 0,3km up to the pass Sedlo Váha at 2337m (N49.17614 E20.08965)
     
  5. Turn north and follow the path for 0,6km up to Rysy 2499m summit (N49.17962 E20.08806).
     
  6. Visit also point 2503m (N49.17934 E20.08850), which is located 45 meters southeast of the 2499m summit.

     

    The route to Rysy

    The route to Rysy
    (Click for larger image)


     

  7. Descend your ascent route. Back at Popradské Pleso, consider walking around the lake and return to the service road at the first fork you passed.
     

Walking around Popradské Pleso

Walking around Popradské Pleso
(Click for larger image)

 

Pictures and Trip reports:

  • Rysy, July 7 2013
     

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