Popradske Pleso is a stunning emerald mountain lake located 1,494 meters above sea level in the Mengusovska Valley, the High Tatras, northern Slovakia, not far from another popular tourist lake, Strbske Pleso. Popradske Pleso is the fourth-largest lake in the country.
The easiest way to see Popradske Pleso is to get to the train station of the same name and then walk along a wide paved road with a slight slope for about 40 minutes. It is not possible to enter the territory of the national park by car without a special permit.
Just like the neighboring high-altitude lakes in the Tatras, Popradske Pleso was formed naturally, as a result of glacial melting. The lake has an impressive area of almost 7 hectares and a maximum depth of 17 meters. You can easily circle around it in about half an hour using a convenient hiking trail.
This area is famous for its beautiful mountain landscapes, and conifers right next to the water, making the lake look like a mirror: the clear water of the lake reflects the forest and has a beautiful emerald hue.
Several tourist routes of different levels of difficulty run by the lake. It is almost impossible to get lost here thanks to the abundance of wooden signs, organically fit into the natural landscape.
It is best to go hiking in the early morning because the weather in the mountains can be unpredictable. Inexperienced tourists may feel dizzy from the purest mountain air. Besides, they say that the surrounding forests are home to mountain roe deer and even bears.
The tourist infrastructure on the lake is not very developed. This is an ideal place for lovers of a relaxing holiday in the bosom of nature, where nothing reminds of the hustle and bustle of city life. On the shore, there is only one small hotel and a budget cafe, where you can have a delicious lunch and enjoy aromatic herbal tea with an admixture of dried fruits.
Not far from the lake, there are other interesting sights of the Tatras: Belianska Cave, Demanovska Cave of Liberty, and the high-mountain lake called Skalnate Pleso.
Address:
Popradske Pleso