The Cycling Route Around the Tatras is a unique Polish-Slovak cycling loop that passes through four historic Tatra regions: Podhale, Orava, Liptov, and Spiš. The route starts and ends in Nowy Targ, adjacent to the railway station, making it ideal to complete in its entirety without the need to arrange return transport. Thanks to its loop format, the ride can begin practically anywhere along the loop.

Route variants are also available, including a gravel/off-road version: Route Around the Tatras: SWT, ALT, HRD | Collection of cycling routes by Wojtek Goj | VeloPlanner.

The route delights with its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Cyclists travel through river valleys, forests and meadows, passing wooden churches, historic highland buildings and picturesque towns on both sides of the border. The proximity of the Tatras means that mountain panoramas accompany cyclists for a significant part of the route.

Basic route information

Difficulty level: medium-hard, requiring good fitness due to the mountainous character of the terrain
Elevation profile: hilly, with a total climbing of nearly 2,500 m over the entire route
Surface: the majority is asphalt, the remaining sections are gravel
Route type: mixed – approx. 40% are separated cycling paths (DDR), approx. 50% are side and local roads, approx. 10% are roads with heavy traffic
Recommended direction: clockwise, which offers more options for modifying the route in the second half of the loop. It is worth checking forecasts regarding wind direction and strength.
Recommended bike: cross, gravel or touring; a road bike may require planning detours on gravel sections
Not family-friendly: due to numerous public roads, including those with heavy traffic and no hard shoulder, the route is not safe for families with children

Signage and navigation

The quality of route signage is inconsistent on both sides of the border. In Poland, the section between Nowy Targ and the border towards Tvrdomín is very well marked with white signs bearing the route logo depicting the Tatras. However, the eastern part of the Polish section lacks route logo markings. In Slovakia, the route is not officially marked as the Route Around the Tatras, and only partially overlaps with local regional routes marked with signs bearing the letter "C".

Due to incomplete markings, the use of GPS navigation is practically essential. This allows you to focus on admiring the views rather than searching for a safe place to stop or trying to find the correct route.

When to go

The mountainous character of the route means that the best time to ride is during the summer months and early autumn, when weather conditions are most favourable. It is worth keeping in mind the changeable mountain weather and preparing for various atmospheric conditions within a single day's ride.

How many days to cycle around the Tatras?

The route can be completed in 3–5 days, depending on fitness and sightseeing pace. The most comfortable split is 3 riding days with overnight stays in Nowy Targ (start/finish), Liptovský Mikuláš, and Kežmarok. This rhythm allows the climbs to be spread evenly and leaves time for exploring the towns along the way. Those who prefer a more leisurely pace can add an extra overnight stop, for example, in Trstená or Poprad.

Most interesting places on the route

The Route Around the Tatras combines the historical, cultural and natural values of four Tatra regions. Along the route you can see:

Wooden churches characteristic of highland and Slovak architecture, including those inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List
Highland buildings and folklore authentically preserved in the villages passed on both sides of the border
Orava Castle in Oravský Podzámok – one of the most spectacular fortresses in Central Europe, rising in three terraces on a rocky hill above the Orava River
Štrbské Pleso – a high-mountain lake in the heart of the High Tatras, surrounded by peaks and tourist infrastructure
Kežmarok and Levoča – Spiš towns with well-preserved medieval old towns and historic churches
Diverse landscapes ranging from river valleys and meadows, through forests and peat bogs, to views of the snow-capped ridges of the Tatras

On the Polish side, the route passes through Nowy Targ, Gronków, Dębno, Czorsztyn, Sromowce Niżne, Czarny Dunajec, Podczerwone and Chochołów. In Slovakia, the route runs through Trstená, Dolný Kubín, Liptovský Mikuláš, Štrbské Pleso, Poprad, Kežmarok, Stará Ľubovňa and Spišská Stará Ves.

Accommodation options

There is a wide range of accommodation available on both the Polish and Slovak sides of the route. The tourist character of the Tatra regions means it is easy to find lodging in guesthouses, agritourism farms and hotels in the larger towns along the route.

Getting there and transport

By train

Nowy Targ can be reached by train from many Polish cities, including overnight connections. However, it is worth noting that transporting a bicycle on a night train can be difficult – it is advisable to check the carrier's regulations and the availability of bicycle spaces on a specific connection in advance.

By bus

From Kraków to Nowy Targ, you can travel with your bicycle using Flixbus services. On the carrier's website, you can indicate the number of bicycles during booking and the system will search for suitable connections. Bicycle transport is subject to an additional fee.

By plane

People flying from more distant parts of Poland can use Wizz Air connections from Gdańsk to Poprad – an airport located directly on the route, enabling a convenient start to the route from Slovakia.

By car

The loop format makes travelling by car very convenient. National road No. 47 leads to Nowy Targ. The town has numerous car parks, including a free car park at ul. Św. Doroty 8. A paid parking zone applies in the town centre. You can also leave your car at the PKP railway station or near the market square. An alternative starting point could be Poprad – a town with good parking infrastructure and direct access to the route.

Practical notes

Safety requires particular attention on sections running along public roads with heavy traffic, which account for approximately 10% of the entire route. Some of these roads have wide hard shoulders, but on certain sections there is no hard shoulder at all.

Tips for the route

The Route Around the Tatras is a demanding but extremely rewarding route for cyclists seeking mountain challenges combined with the rich cultural heritage of the Polish-Slovak borderland. Before setting off, it is worth downloading the GPX file and familiarising yourself with the detailed guide prepared by Wojciech Goj as part of a local government project.

The route intersects with Velo Dunajec in Nowy Targ, which opens up possibilities for combining routes and planning longer cycling trips in the region. Velo Czorsztyn also runs nearby, providing an attractive addition to the journey.