Tatras - Polish or Slovak side?

[fcasado]

Hi everyone!

Right now we're in Krakow and need to decide where to go tomorrow, we'd like to ride in the tatras mountains but don't know where we should stay - Zakopane (polish side) or cross the border and stay in the Slovak side.

Anyone out there been to his area and could recommend a small town (or bigger one, doesn't really matter ) to be used as base for some hiking?

Any help appreciated

Cheers

 

[Sergeant Pluck]

I'd say the Polish side - haven't been there but I have been to the Slovak side which (village-wise) was pretty grim, plus they've recently de-forested parts of the area which doesn't compliment natural beauty. The mountains are beautiful though.

Pluck

 

[fritz]

Slovak side is cheaper, Nr Starry smovack - excuse spelling - is great, Nearer the mountains that Poprad, but that area. There is a cable car right to top of one of the biggest peaks (Lomnity Stik), but arrive early to get tickets. Haven't been for years, but the Zakopane side is far more commercial but was still great back then. If you're there a few days there are many walks on either side that give great views - the cable car on Slovak side is the best bit though. Speak to Tourist offices once there. Lovely area

 

[Fanum]

I think we stayed on the Slovak side......the villages are a lot more run down and dreary looking though.

If you can find a ski resort to stay in, I'd go for that...it'll still be dead cheap.

PS check out the storks on the chimneys and the christmas trees up really tall poles

 

[ballistic]

I think we stayed on the Slovak side......the villages are a lot more run down and dreary looking though.

If you can find a ski resort to stay in, I'd go for that...it'll still be dead cheap.

PS check out the storks on the chimneys and the christmas trees up really tall poles

Yeah... We went last year, and the Slovak side seems to have had a lot of forest fires, as well as commercial deforestation... it seemed very bare.
I'll be interested to hear what you think of Polish side, if that's where you end up.

 

[fcasado]

Thanks very much all

We're gonna head tomorrow morning to Zakopane and check the place, if too touristy we'll head to Slovakia (the place Fritz talked about) and probably stay there for a couple of nights...

Next questions will be about Romania

Thanks again