Ascent to Kôprovský štít
Great circular view in the heart of the Tatras
Kôprovský štít is one of the smaller peaks of the High Tatras. Despite its lower height, it offers wonderful views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. It rises above three valleys, Temnosmrečianská, Mengusovská and Hlinská. The hike is not exposed, but a bit lengthy.
Ascent to Kôprovský štít
Start of ascent
The beginning of the ascent to Kôprovský štít begins in the parking lot at the TEŽ – Popradské pleso stop. Parking for the whole day costs 8 €. The hike begins with a long and relatively lifeless asphalt road to Popradské pleso. As a rule, passing cars will make your journey even more unpleasant. If the weather is good, we can make the trip more pleasant with opening views of the surrounding peaks. It is better to start the hike earlier in the morning, as most tourists only flock to Poprad Lake. We don't have to worry about parking and constant zigzagging between tourists on the asphalt road.
On the way to Popradské pleso
Already on the way to Popradské pleso, we have wonderful views of the surrounding panoramas of the High Tatras. In the background of Kôpka (2,354 m above sea level), to the right of them rises Vysoká (2,547 m above sea level)
Mengusovská valley
At the turn-off at Popradský pleso, after a few minutes, you leave the forest and continue with conifers. The road to the Nad Žabím potokom signpost is very busy due to the common ascent route to Rysy. At the signpost, turn left towards Hincova plesa and Koprovský štít. The photo shows a sidewalk through the Mengusovská valley. Background from the left: Tupá (2,285 m above sea level) and Ostrva (1,984 m above sea level)
Great Hincovo pleso
Shortly after turning from the Nad Žabím potokom signpost, it starts to climb faster, all the way to Hincovy ples. At Veľké Hincové pleso you can relax for a while and then head towards Vyšné Kôprovské sedlo. Furthermore, from the Great Hincov Lake, we will not meet as many tourists on the route as before. The photo shows Veľké Hincovo pleso and in the background the wall of Mengusovské štít.
Malé Hincovo pleso
Just a few minutes away from Veľký is the Little Hincovo Lake.
Ascent to Vyšné Kôprovské sedlo
The road to Vyšné Kôprovské sedlo is paved with wooden stairs, which should prevent stones from slipping. In the background Satan (2,432 m)
Vyšné Kôprovské sedlo
Reaching the Vyšné Kôprovské saddle opens a view of the Hlinská valley. The photo is dominated from the left by Štrbský šít and Hrubý vrch. Now it's a short distance from the saddle to the top and we continue through the gravel pit to the top.
Just below the top ...
It is only a few minutes to the top and we can enjoy the views of Veľká Hincovo pleso and the ramparts behind it. On the way from the saddle to the top, the route is well passable, there are no exposed places. In the photo in the background from the left: Rysy (2,503 m above sea level), Vysoká (2,547 m above sea level), Končistá (2,538 m above sea level)
View from the top
The view from the top is really dreamy. Those who come out will definitely not be stupid. From Kôprovské štít there is a very good view of the Polish Tatras (pictured), which will only appear when we climb to the very top. When you are thinking about going to Rysy or Kôprovský štít at the Nad Žabim potokom signpost, feel free to choose Kôprovský štít. You won't have to stand in line for chains, and you won't be as crushed at the top as you are at Rysy.
Descent to the saddle
The descent path is the same as the ascent path. The total tour time is just over 7 hours.
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