Waterfall tour near Hrebienok

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 7.8 miles / 12.5 km
Duration: Half day

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Overview: The valley of the Cold stream (Studeny potok) south of the Lomnic Peak is one of the most scenic valleys in the east High Tatras. The stream formed several great and some more small waterfalls as it flows down quickly between the huge rocks cutting deep ditches even in the hardest rocks.
This moderate trip visits 5 of the most scenic falls and crossings suitable both for experienced and beginner hikers.

The trip starts from the train station of Tatranska Lomnica, up in the mountains on the blue mark. First on blacktop then straight to the pine forest. The route leads up all the way to the first POI where we can start our wonderful experience: within 1 km radius there are at least five breath-taking water-formation thanks to the quick stream.

The tour can be easily made family friendly if we start from Vysoke Tatry with the rope-way car up to Hrebienok. In this case we start at POI 6 and continue towards POI 1.

Resting and refreshing the tired hiker can be easily carried out by joining other hikers in the bar of Hrebienok or in the Rainerova shelter near POI 2.

Tips: The waterfalls are the most beautiful if there were some precipitation in the days before the tour. In this case the rocks and routes are more slippery so take much care where to step.
Usage of hiking poles and water resistant footwear is highly recommended.
Shelter, drink and food is available in Hrebienok and in the Rainerova shelter.
Bring some food and enough water for at least half a day. Water resistant clothing is recommended during overcast.

Points of Interest

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Great-Hidden waterfalls (Velky-Skryty vodopad)

Arriving from Tatransa Lomnica on the blue mark, the first landmark is an amazing waterfall right in the middle of the forest. The immense grumbling of the water is audible very far away so this POI cannot be missed.
There's a wide wooden bridge above the stream, so the strength of the waterfall can be felt very closely. Great possibility to take beautiful close pictures, since the small rocks in the waterfall can be climbed easily. But be careful, they are very slippery! We continue on the blue mark to the north, just a couple of meters for the second POI.

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Small-Hidden waterfall (Maly-Skryty vodopad)

A smaller, but very steep curve of the stream created a very quick and strong flow between two huge rocks here. It is fascinating how this small stream eroded the stiff rocks to cut its own way down the hills. Often there are some blocking woods stuck between the narrow rocks.
We continue on the blue mark passing the Rainerova shelter (chata). There you can buy hot or cold beverages rest a bit or meet other hikers exchanging experiences.

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Crossing on the Cold stream (Studeny potok)

The blue mark here joins the red mark to the north. Here's a beautiful crossing, a small waterfall with a wide wooden bridge over the quick stream. Great scenery for nature photography.
Continuing up the mountain on the red mark.

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Huge waterfall (Obrovsky vodopad)

The highest point of our trip is the biggest waterfall on the Small Cold stream, which is a small branch of the Cold stream we crossed 15 minutes ago (POI 3). Though it is not so atmospheric and spectacular as the Great-Hidden (POI 1) or the Long waterfall (POI 5), it is the tallest one of all of them. A small wooden bridge hangs just in reach of the fall. If you glance to the south the scenic view of the valley of the Cold stream can be experienced.
Here we turn back on the red mark and head back to POI 1 on the same route, so the POIs in-between can be visited again. From POI 1 we continue on the green mark to south.

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Long waterfall (Dlhy vodopad)

After five minutes on the green mark from POI 1, there's a branch-route marked yellow to south-east. Here we can climb down the Long waterfall. There's a secured area formed in the middle of the waterfall on the slippery rocks. The scenery is very similar to the Great-Hidden falls, but a bit more flat and more rocks to break the water flow. The breath taking stream valley bursts to our view to the south.
After we climb back to the green mark, we continue south on the rock-stairs up the mountain to Hrebienok.

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Hrebienok rope-way station (lanovka)

The final POI of our trip is the so-called lanovka station in Hrebienok. Here we can rest a bit before descending to Stary Smokovec. Here you can find restrooms, toilets and a small bar where the rope-way tickets are sold. Rope-way cars depart every half hours.
If you still want to walk a bit to the town, the green mark leads to Stary Smokovec to the south. It goes right next to the rope-way.

Pictures in this guide taken by: bpedro

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