Tatra Mountains

Protected natural areas in the Tatra Mountains

Tatra Meadows and Protected Areas

The Tatra Mountains, spanning the Polish-Slovak border, contain diverse alpine ecosystems protected within national parks. This selection features high-altitude meadows like Chochołowska Polana, renowned for spring crocus blooms, and expansive glacial valleys such as Bielovodská dolina. These areas preserve unique geological features, including the limestone formations of Sivý vrch, the karst systems of Brestovská Cave, and traditional pastoral landscapes where sheep grazing continues in historic shepherd huts.

Tatra Meadows and Protected Areas — Map

Jerzy Opioła / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Włosienica

Alpine meadow in the Rybi Potok Valley, serving as a horse carriage terminus on the route to Morskie Oko.

Jerzy Opioła / CC BY-SA 4.0

B

Sivý vrch

Limestone peak in the Western Tatras known for its unique rock towers and rare alpine flora.

Opioła Jerzy / CC BY 2.5

C

Siwa Polana

Meadow at the entrance of Chochołowska Valley featuring traditional shepherd huts and active sheep grazing.

Jerzy Opioła / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Litworowy Żleb

Narrow, steep side branch of the Chochołowska Valley in the Western Tatras.

Opioła Jerzy / CC BY 2.5

E

Chochołowska Polana

Largest meadow in the Polish Tatras, famous for massive spring crocus blooms and historic wooden shepherd huts.

Jerzy Opioła / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

Niżnia Jarząbcza Polana

Small subalpine meadow located at the base of Trzydniowiański Wierch in the Western Tatras.

ŁukaszWu / CC BY 3.0

G

Polana Jaworzynka

Valley meadow historically used for mining and sheep farming, showcasing traditional wooden pastoral architecture.

Opioła Jerzy / CC-BY-SA-3.0

H

Rówień Waksmundzka

High-altitude grassy plateau situated at 1,400 meters between the Koszysta and Wołoszyn massifs.

Opioła Jerzy / CC-BY-SA-3.0

I

Polana pod Wołoszynem

Meadow on the north-eastern slopes of the High Tatras, located along the trail to Morskie Oko.

J

Bielovodská dolina

The longest valley in the Tatras, featuring a classic U-shaped glacial profile and views of the highest peaks.

K

Kôprová dolina

National nature reserve in the Slovak High Tatras, home to the Kmeťov waterfall, the highest in Slovakia.

L

Mačie diery

Nature reserve in the Western Tatras protecting unique limestone rock formations and rare plant species.

M

Velická dolina

High-altitude valley containing the Velické pleso tarn and the Eternal Rain rock wall waterfall.

N

Furkotská dolina

Glacial valley in the High Tatras containing the Wahlenbergovo lakes, some of the highest tarns in the range.

O

Brestovská jaskyňa

Karst cave in the Western Tatras featuring an underground river and unique geological layers.

P

Roháčske plesá

System of four glacial lakes situated at different elevations in the Roháče region of the Western Tatras.

Q

Kotlový žľab

Nature reserve protecting forest ecosystems and a steep mountain couloir in the Western Tatras.

R

Juráňova dolina

Nature reserve featuring a narrow limestone gorge with rock pools eroded by the Juráňov stream.

S

Slavkovská dolina

High-altitude valley below Slavkovský štít, characterized by glacial moraines and several small tarns.

T

Mengusovská dolina

Large glacial valley in the Slovak High Tatras, serving as a major hiking hub for Rysy and Popradské pleso.

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