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A funicular trip to Hrebienok, waterfalls in the Tatras, mountain chalets and stunning views, all with 9-month old Markus in a baby carrier.
Cable cars are free for children under 5,99 years
This trip to the High Tatras can be made even with a young child, we managed it with 9-month-old Markus in a hiking baby carrier. Thanks to the funicular running from Starý Smokovec to Hrebienok, the start of the route is easy and saves you time. With a Gopass ticket, we avoided queues, and children under 5,99 years can travel for free, which is ideal for families.
Hrebienok is a great starting point for many easy hikes. Our route took us to the waterfalls of Studený potok (brook), Rainer’s hut and along Bilík’s chalet to Zamkovský’s chalet and deeper into Malá Studená dolina (valley). A trip full of views, water and mountain air with the family – simply priceless!
Cable car trip to Hrebienok
We started the trip in Starý Smokovec, where we comfortably boarded the funicular operating to Hrebienok. This short but scenic journey is ideal, especially for families with children or anyone who wants to save energy and time for their hike afterwards. Thanks to Gopass, we could buy our tickets online via the mobile app and avoid queuing at the ticket office. A big plus is that children under 5,99 years can travel completely free, which any parent will appreciate.
Even during the ride, we could feast our eyes on the surrounding area and were excited for the day ahead in the Tatra nature. Hrebienok welcomed us with sunshine, fresh air and a breathtaking view of majestic Mt Lomnický štít.
Waterfalls of Studený potok (brook)
We followed a forest path from Hrebienok past Bilík’s chalet towards the waterfalls of Studený potok. The trail is easy, suitable even for smaller children or tourists carrying babies. Thanks to recent rainy days, the waterfalls were full, and the sound of rushing water could be heard from afar. The waterfalls are one of the area’s biggest natural attractions. Their energy and the force of the water captivate children but also adults. We took a short break here, snapped a few photos and soaked in the mountain atmosphere. Markus calmly watched the water and its sounds from the carrier until he fell asleep.
Rainer’s hut and Bilík’s chalet
We continued from the waterfalls to Rainer’s hut – the oldest preserved tourist chalet in the Tatras, named after Ján Juraj Rainer. The hut and its surroundings have a unique charm thanks to the traditional stone-and-wood architecture and the meadow around it. Inside, there’s a small exhibition of historical items from the mountain environment. The atmosphere here is special, and for a moment, you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. On our way back, we briefly stopped at Bilík’s chalet to enjoy the views before continuing towards Zamkovský’s chalet while Markus was sleeping peacefully in the carrier.
Zamkovský’s chalet – a place to relax
A trail sign pointed us towards either Veľká Studená dolina (valley) or Malá Studená dolina (valley). Our goal of the day was Zamkovský’s chalet, so we headed into Malá Studená dolina. We crossed a small bridge over Studený potok (stream) and entered a more difficult section. This part is physically more challenging than the previous trails but still manageable for fit hikers or parents with baby carriers.
At the hut, we were welcomed by a cosy atmosphere, a good cup of tea and tasty soup. Zamkovský’s chalet is a popular stop not only for hikers but also for climbers. You’ll meet people of all age groups here, from children to seniors. We rested, rehydrated and enjoyed the surrounding nature. Markus woke up just before we reached the hut. We played inside for a while, ate and then hiked a little further to peek into Malá Studená dolina.
Further into Malá Studená dolina
The trail slowly began to climb, gaining altitude, but the landscape became more and more majestic. In the distance, the silhouette of Téry’s chalet appeared – that’s our future goal, once Markus is older and ready for more demanding terrain on foot. This part of the route isn’t entirely suitable for everyone with small children, but as a short detour for the views, it’s perfect. The peaceful surroundings and the panorama of Malá Studená dolina reveal the Tatras in all their glory. Mt Pyšný štít on the right, Mt Prostredný hrot on the left, separating Malá Studená dolina and Veľká Studená dolina. And Mt Malý Ľadový štít and Mt Veľký Ľadový štít in the background – simply stunning!
Gopass offers great benefits for families
After returning to Zamkovský’s chalet and then back to Hrebienok, we once again took the funicular back to Starý Smokovec. With our Gopass ticket, there was no need to wait at the ticket office, and we enjoyed another comfortable 7-minute ride. We managed the entire trip with a baby in a carrier without stress or rushing.
And the best part? Children under 5,99 years can travel for free, which makes this area an ideal destination for young families. The combination of nature, history, mountain chalets and the benefits of Gopass is definitely worth experiencing. This article has been created in cooperation with MTHIKER.sk.
