Introduction

Javorová dolina is an elongated valley in the north-eastern part of the High Tatras¹ mountain range which is, like many other areas in the Tatranský národný park (TANAP), accessible for the general visitor during the summer season only (June 15 to October 31).

A challenging mountain tour that takes a whole day is to cross the valley, traverse Sedlo sedielko (2376 meters), descend to the Téryho chata (2015 meters), walk through Malá studená dolina (“Small cold valley”) and end the hike in Starý Smokovec (1010 meters).

¹ notes, footnotes and references about translations apply for this article in the same manner as for the other blog-posts about the High Tatras on this website

Javorová dolina, June 15

Though actually a very small settlement, the starting point Tatranská Javorina (1000 meters) is easily reachable by public transport. A bus from Poprad-Tatry or Tatranská Lomnica drives at least hourly every morning and the fare is moderate (about three Euros).

The trailhead has a green marking and lies next to the bus stop.

The first three hours of the tour are rather unspectacular from a mere mountaineering perspective. Of course the nature that unfolds in front of one’s eyes with the Belianske Tatry and the river Javorinka on the hiker’s left is an absolute delight.

After this first part is accomplished, the appearance of the valley changes quite abruptly to a more or less bleak, mossy and steep terrain with high mountains towering up menacingly in every direction.

The big question for me from this point on was where will be first encounters with larger snowfields, no unlikely occurrences in the High Tatras in the early summer months.

The unpleasant surprise came at Sedlo sedielko at last, after I passed easily the handful of smaller snow piles that obstructed my way up to the mountain saddle.

The whole passage was covered with a thick, wet and dangerously looking white mass all the way down to Modré pleso (“Blue mountain lake” or “Blue tarn² “) on 2189 meters.

Turning back was not really an option, so I had no other choice than to put my crampons on, fetch the ice axe and climb down in “free solo” style the first hundred-odd meters.

After this I was was able to push forward more quickly for the slope flattened out a little, but I needed one and a half hours to complete the distance between Sedlo sedielko and the Téryho chata (what usually takes less than half the time).

Descending from the Téryho chata to Starý Smokovec is the familiar and easy part. Actually, as this section is open all year round I hadn’t to deal with any more surprises and could relax and enjoy the nature in the Malá studená dolina.

² a tarn is a mountain lake formed in a so-called cirque; hence every tarn is a mountain lake, but not every mountain lake a tarn; for example, Štrbské pleso is not a tarn (it is a glacial lake) but Veľké Hincovo pleso is a tarn (even the largest in Slovakia)

Summary

Crossing Javorová dolina, negotiating Sedlo sedielko and descending to Starý Smokovec is demanding and should be done only in fine weather conditions. A fair amount of experience in mountaineering is necessary in case snow on the slopes obstruct the way.

One alternative tour from Tatranská Javorina is blue marked through the valley Zapadné Meďodoly along the foothills of the Belianske Tatry.

Anyway, the hiking season has just started and I am looking forward to further small adventures in the late summer.

Featured image: Hrebeň Javorových veží (“Ridge of Maple Towers”)