The Tatra Mountains () or Tatras (Tatry either in Slovak () or in Polish () – plurale tantum), are a series of mountains within the Western Carpathians that form a natural border between Slovakia and Poland. They are the highest mountains in the Carpathians. The Tatras are distinct from the Low Tatras (), a separate Slovak mountain range further south.

The Tatra Mountains occupy an area of , of which about (77.7%) lie within Slovakia and about (22.3%) within Poland. The highest peak, called Gerlachovský štít, at , is located north of Poprad, entirely in Slovakia. The highest point in Poland, Rysy, at , is located southeast of Zakopane, on the border with Slovakia.

The Tatras' length, measured from the eastern foothills of the Kobylí vrch () to the southwestern foot of Ostrý vrch (1128 m), in a straight line, is (or according to some), The main ridge of the Tatras runs from the village of Huty at the western end to the village of Ždiar at the eastern end.

The Tatras are now protected by law by the establishment of the Tatra National Park, Slovakia and the Tatra National Park, Poland, which are jointly entered in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

In 1992, UNESCO jointly designated the Polish and Slovak parks a transboundary biosphere reserve in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, under its Man and the Biosphere Programme.

Etymology

The first written record of the name is from 999, when the Bohemian Duke Boleslaus II, on his deathbed, recalled when the Duchy of Bohemia extended to the Tritri montes. Another mention is in the 1086 document from Henry IV, wherein he referred to the Diocese of Prague with Tritri mountains. Still another is in 1125, where the Kosmas chronicles (Chronica Boemorum) mention the name Tatri.

In 1790 Belsazar Hacquet wrote that Slavs call these mountains Tatari or Tatri because there used to be Tatar hordes roaming the area.

Machek in 1931 favored the theory of the Polish linguist Rozwadowski with a syllabic r like in the words chrt (Czech hound), smrt (Czech death). In Czech this syllabic is sometimes with vowels i, e or u for example črný – černý, so the Czech reconstruction from Tritri/Tritry would be Trtry. In Polish, the term Tatry is firstly mentioned in 1255. Syllabic r often has vowels on both sides in Polish, so in the case of Tarty, we can reconstruct the name to Tartry, where the vowel a originated before the syllabic r, which dissimilated. This theory is supported by Hungarian forms Turtur, Turtul, and Tortol from the 12th to 14th centuries. It is unclear what form the Slovak term took before the 17th century when the first references to Tatry appear, probably as a loan word from Polish that later found its way into Czech and Hungarian. The term Tatra also appears as a general term in Slovak for barren or stony land, and also in Ukraine for small stones in a river. Machek stresses that the name has no Slavic origin and mentions Rozwadowski's theory of an Illyrian origin because of a connection with a Herzegovian highland called Tatra, thus taken from local inhabitants. The name is also close to the Ukrainian word for gravel, toltry.

Snow cover

Maximum snow cover on the summit amounts to:

  • in Poland - Kasprowy Wierch: maximum
  • in Slovakia - Lomnický Štít: mean maximum of

Peaks are sometimes covered with snow or ice throughout the year. Avalanches are frequent.

Temperature

Extreme temperatures range from in the winter to in warmer months. Temperatures also vary depending on the altitude and sun exposure of a given slope. Temperatures below last for 192 days on the summits.

Winds

thumb|Visible effects of the 2004 storm in Slovakia

The average wind speed on the summits is 6 m/s (13.4 mi/hr).

  • southerly winds on the northern side
  • westerly winds at the base of Tatra (Orava-Nowy Targ Basin)
  • foehn winds (Polish: halny) most often occur between October and May. They are warm and dry and can cause extensive damage.
  • Maximum wind speed (6 May 1968).

On 19 November 2004, large parts of the forests in the southern Slovak part of the High Tatras were damaged by a strong wind storm.

Flora

thumb|[[Gentiana punctata]]

The Tatra Mountains have a diverse variety of plant life. Many of the plant species are also found in the Alps. They are home to more than 1,000 species of vascular plants, about 450 mosses, 200 liverworts, 700 lichens, 900 fungi, and 70 slime moulds. There are five climatic-vegetation belts in the Tatras.

The distribution of plants depends on altitude:

  • up to : Carpathian beech forest; almost no shrub layer, herbaceous layer occupies most of the forest floor
  • to : Spruce forest; shrub layer poorly developed, mosses are a major component
  • to : Mountain Pine, numerous herbs
  • to : high altitude grasslands
  • from up: Subnivean - bare rock and almost no vegetation (mostly lichens)

thumb|[[Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica)]]

Fauna

The Tatra Mountains are home to many species of animals: 54 tardigrades, 22 turbellarians, 100 rotifers, 22 copepods, 162 spiders, 81 molluscs, 43 mammals, 200 birds, 7 amphibians, and 2 reptiles.

The most notable mammals are the Tatra chamois, Alpine marmot, Tatra marmot, snow vole, brown bear, wolf, Eurasian lynx, red deer, roe deer, and wild boar. Notable fish include the brown trout and Alpine bullhead. Notable birds include the golden eagle, white-throated dipper, ring ouzel, wallcreeper, and Eurasian three-toed woodpecker.

The endemic arthropod species include a caddis fly, the spider Xysticus alpicola and a springtail.

Summits

<gallery mode="packed">

Gerlach south face B.jpg|Gerlachovský štít (), the highest peak in Slovakia

Lomnicky and Kezmarsky stit from Skalnate pleso II.jpg|Lomnický štít (left) () and Kežmarský štít (right) ()

Rysy w sierpniu.jpg|Rysy (), the highest peak in Poland

Kriváň.JPG|Kriváň (), the country's symbol on 1,2, and 5 euro cents

Bystra a4.jpg|Bystrá ()

Kościelec a1.jpg|Kościelec ()

Mnich i Mnichowy Kocioł.jpg|Mnich ()

Tatry. Kasprowy Wierch widziany z Nosala.jpg|Kasprowy Wierch ()

Giewont T58.jpg|Giewont called "Sleeping Knight" ()

</gallery>

Eastern Tatras

  • Gerlachovský štít - 2655 m (Slovakia)
  • Gerlachovská veža - 2642 (Slovakia)
  • Lomnický štít - 2634 m (Slovakia)
  • Ľadový štít - 2627 m (Slovakia)
  • Pyšný štít - 2621 m (Slovakia)
  • Zadný Gerlach - 2616 m (Slovakia)
  • Lavínový štít - 2606 m (Slovakia)
  • Ľadová kopa - 2602 m (Slovakia)
  • Kotlový štít - 2601 m (Slovakia)
  • Malý Pyšný štít - 2592 m (Slovakia)
  • Kežmarský štít - 2558 m (Slovakia)
  • Vysoká - 2547 m (Slovakia)
  • Končistá - 2538 m (Slovakia)
  • Baranie rohy - 2526 m (Slovakia)
  • Dračí štít - 2523 m (Slovakia)
  • Ťažký štít - 2520 m (Slovakia)
  • Malý Kežmarský štít - 2513 m (Slovakia)
  • Rysy - 2503 m, 2499 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Kriváň - 2495 m (Slovakia)
  • Slavkovský štít - 2452 m (Slovakia)
  • Batizovský štít - 2448 m (Slovakia)
  • Veľký Mengusovský štít (Slovak); Mięguszowiecki Szczyt Wielki (Polish) - 2438 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Malé Rysy (Slovak); Niżnie Rysy (Polish) - 2430 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Východná Vysoká - 2429 m (Slovakia)
  • Východný Mengusovský štít (Slovak); Mięguszowiecki Szczyt Czarny (Polish) - 2410 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Prostredný Mengusovský štít (Slovak); Mięguszowiecki Szczyt Pośredni (Polish) - 2393 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Čubrina (Slovak); Cubryna (Polish) - 2376 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Svinica (Slovak); Świnica (Polish) - 2301 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Kozi Wierch - 2291 m (Poland)
  • Jahňaci štít - 2230 m (Slovakia)
  • Zamarła Turnia - 2179 m (Poland)
  • Hrubý štít (Slovak); Szpiglasowy Wierch (Polish) - 2172 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Kościelec - 2155 m (Poland)
  • Wołoszyn - 2155 m (Poland)
  • Mnich - 2068 m (Poland)

Western Tatras

  • Bystrá - 2248 m (Slovakia)
  • Jakubina - 2194 m (Slovakia)
  • Baranec - 2184 m (Slovakia)
  • Baníkov - 2178 m (Slovakia)
  • Klin (Slovak); Starorobociański Wierch (Polish) - 2176 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Pachoľa - 2167 m (Slovakia)
  • Hrubá kopa - 2166 m (Slovakia)
  • Nižná Bystrá - 2163 m (Slovakia)
  • Štrbavy - 2149 m (Slovakia)
  • Jalovecký príslop - 2142 m (Slovakia)
  • Hrubý vrch (Slovak); Jarząbczy Wierch (Polish) - 2137 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Tri kopy - 2136 m (Slovakia)
  • Veľká Kamenistá (Slovak); Kamienista (Polish) - 2126 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Kresanica (Slovak); Krzesanica (Polish) - 2122 m (Slovakia/Poland) - summit of Czerwone Wierchy / Red Peaks
  • Malolúčniak (Slovak); Małołączniak (Polish) - 2096 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Temniak (Slovak); Ciemniak (Polish) - 2096 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Volovec (Slovak); Wołowiec (Polish) - 2064 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Kondratova kopa (Slovak); Kopa Kondracka (Polish) - 2005 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Kasprov vrch (Slovak); Kasprowy Wierch (Polish) - 1987 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Goričková kopa (Slovak); Goryczkowa Czuba (Polish) - 1911 m (Slovakia/Poland)
  • Giewont - 1894 m (Poland)
  • Kominiarski Wierch - 1829 m (Poland)
  • Sivý vrch - 1809 m (Slovakia)
  • Magura - 1704 m (Poland)
  • Nosal - 1206 m (Poland)

Tourism

thumb|Tourists in Zakopane enjoying views of [[Giewont in 1938.]]

There are records of tourist visits to the Tatras as early as 1565.

In 1683, an anonymous author published a book of adventures and excursions in the Tatras titled Ungarischer Oder Dacianischer Simplicissimus, Vorstellend Seinen wunderlichen Lebens-Lauff, und sonderliche Begebenheiten gethaner Raisen, Nebenst Wahrhafter Beschreibung dess vormals im Nor gestandenen und offters verunruhigten Urgerland, which translates roughly to Hungarian or Dacian Simplicissimus, presenting his strange life and the peculiar events of his adventures, together with a true description of the ancient lands that once stood in the north and were often troubled. The author was later discovered to be Daniel Speer of Wrocław, who lived in the sub-Tatra region for about six years.

A popular tourist destination in Poland is Zakopane but the developed tourist base also includes Kościelisko, Poronin, Biały Dunajec, Bukowina Tatrzańska, Białka Tatrzańska, Murzasichle, Małe Ciche, Ząb, Jurgów, Brzegi.

In Slovakia, the most important tourist base is the city Vysoké Tatry, which consists of 15 settlements.

The Polish "national mountain" (featured prominently in myths and folklore) is Giewont, while the Slovak one is Kriváň.

In the Tatra, in the accessible areas you can practice hiking, scrambling, climbing, ice climbing and skiing.

Trails

thumb|Pośredni Granat on the [[Orla Perć]]

thumb|Hiking in the Polish Tatras

thumb|Crowded border summit of Rysy

Orla Perć is considered the most difficult and dangerous mountain trail in the Tatras, a suitable destination only for experienced tourists who don't have acrophobia, because there are strong exposures there. It lies exclusively within the Polish part of the Tatras, was conceived in 1901 by Franciszek Nowicki, a Polish poet and mountain guide, and was built between 1903 and 1906. Over 100 individuals have died on the route since it was established. The path is marked with red signs. The death of Polish philosopher Bronisław Bandrowski is often used by guides as a cautionary tale for tourists. He committed suicide after he was trapped for days on a rocky ledge in the Granaty massif.

The highest point in the Tatra Mountains that can be freely accessed by a labeled trail is Rysy. The trail requires good physical condition and resistance to exposure. From the Polish side elevation difference from the parking on the Palenica Białczańska lot is 1510 m.

Most of the peaks in the Western Tatras (on both sides of the border), including the main ridge, are freely accessible by hiking trails. In the Slovak part of the Eastern Tatras, only six peaks (out of 43 with prominence of at least 100 m) are accessible by hiking trails (Rysy, Svinica/Świnica, Slavkovský štít, Kriváň, Kôprovský štít, and Jahňací štít). Two of these (Rysy and Svinica/Świnica) are located on the border with Poland and accessible from the Polish side. The rest of the peaks on the Slovak side (including the highest one, Gerlachovský štít) can only be accessed when accompanied by a certified mountain guide. Members of UIAA mountain clubs can climb them without a certified guide. It's important to remember, however, that unmarked routes require excellent orientation and knowledge of the area's topography. Often, they also require climbing and rope techniques.

In the Slovak part, most of the hiking trails in the Tatras are closed from 1 November to 31 May. Only trails from settlements up to the mountain huts are open. In Poland, the trails are open year-round.

Human engagement

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the mountains were used for sheep grazing and mining. Many trees were cut down to make way for humans. Although these activities were stopped, the impact is still visible. Moreover, pollution from the industrialized regions of Kraków in Poland or Ostrava in the Czech Republic, as well as casual tourism, causes substantial damage. Volunteers, however, initiate litter removal events frequently, on both sides of the border.

The Slovak Tatra National Park (Tatranský národný park; TANAP) was founded in 1949 (), and the contiguous Polish Tatra National Park (Tatrzański Park Narodowy) in 1954 (). The two parks were added jointly to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve list in 1993.

  • In 2006, the Bollywood film Fanaa, portraying places in Kashmir, was filmed at Zakopane, mainly because of the risks associated with insurgency in Kashmir, as well due to some similarities in a mountain landscape.
  • Leo Frankowski mentions the Tatras several times in his science fiction novels in the Adventures of Conrad Stargard series.
  • The Tatra Mountains are the setting of the 2024 Netflix crime drama television series Detective Forst, based on the Forst series by Remigiusz Mróz.

Notable people

(Alphabetical by surname)

  • Adam Asnyk, poet and dramatist, one of the first members of the Tatra Society
  • Klemens Bachleda (1851–1910), Polish mountain guide and mountain rescuer
  • Oswald Balzer
  • Tytus Chałubiński, founder of the Polish Tatra Society
  • Jan Długosz (mountaineer)
  • Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski
  • Julian Fałat
  • Jan Nepomucen Głowacki, considered the father of Polish school of landscape painting, was the first to devote an entire series of works to Tatra Mountains
  • Seweryn Goszczyński, Polish Romantic poet who escaped there from the Austrian invader
  • Ludwig Greiner, identified Gerlachovský Peak as the summit of the Tatras and Carpathians
  • Ruth Hale (alpinist)
  • Władysław Hasior
  • William Horwood (novelist), whose novel Wolves of Time largely takes place in the Tatra mountains
  • Juraj Janosik
  • Mieczysław Karłowicz
  • Jan Kasprowicz
  • Kornel Makuszyński
  • Franciszek Nowicki
  • Władysław Orkan
  • Kazimierz Przerwa-Tetmajer
  • Daniel Speer, Baroque composer and writer
  • Stanisław Staszic
  • Mieczysław Szczuka
  • Karol Szymanowski
  • Göran Wahlenberg
  • Stanisław Witkiewicz
  • Leon Wyczółkowski
  • Władysław Zamoyski
  • Mariusz Zaruski
  • Ludwik Zejszner
  • Stefan Żeromski

Rankings

thumb|Morskie Oko

  • Polish Tatra National Park is ranked 12th place by CNN
  • The Wall Street Journal recognized Morskie Oko as one of the five most beautiful lakes in the world

See also

  • Mała Armia Janosika
  • Mountain Rescue Service (Slovakia)
  • Sudetes
  • Tatrzańskie Ochotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe (Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue (Poland))
  • Tourism in Poland
  • Tatra pastures

References

Bibliography

  • – (available in: ENG) <!-- -->
  • Municipal website (available in: ENG, SLV) <!-- -->
  • Zakopane – municipal website (available in: POL, ENG) <!-- -->
  • TANAP – Slovak Tatra National Park (available in: SLV, ENG, POL) <!-- -->
  • TPN – Polish Tatra National Park (available in POL only) <!---->

;Commercial tourism-oriented websites

  • The High Tatras - Accommodation and Tourism (available in: SLV, CZE, POL, ENG, GER)
  • Vysoké Tatry, Slovakia (available in: ENG, GER, SLV, POL)
  • Tatry - The smallest mountains in the biggest detail. (available in: ENG, CZE)
  • Tatra auf Travelia.sk

;Mountaineering

  • Tatra Volunteer Rescue Service (available in POL only)
  • Mountaineering in Tatra Mountains (practical info about climbing in the Tatras)

;Photography

  • K2 Studio - photographs of the Tatras (available in: SLV, ENG)
  • 360 - a spherical panoramic journey in 1583 pieces (available in: POL, ENG)
  • CinemaPhoto.pl - photographs in Tatras (available in: POL, ENG)
  • Astonishing Vintage Images of the Tatra Mountains