The Chata pri Zelenom Plese mountain hut is in the lower right corner. (source: Matúš Beňo)
If you're lucky and it's only you approaching the Chata pri Zelenom Plese (lit. Hut by the Green lake) mountain hut, its four fluffy, resident dogs will run towards you and follow you along the final metres of your hike.
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But if there’s even one person ahead of you, they’ll pay no attention to you at all.
Of course, if you don't like dogs, then this is exactly what you want.
Either way, the mountain hut is open year-round, making it another great hiking destination when in the High Tatras.
In addition to the dogs, there are beautiful vistas and, as if that wasn’t enough, it also offers a steamed sweet bun that is famous for its quality among all those who have visited the place.
Get ready
There are several ways to get to the Chata pri Zelenom Plese mountain hut. I opted to start at the Biela Voda bus stop and parking lot. According to both my map and the nearby signpost, it should take just over three hours to get there.
Better safe than sorry
As with all hikes, before you start it is strongly recommended you check weather reports and warnings issued by the Mountain Rescue Service via its website, especially in winter.
In addition, install and set up the service's app on your phone before you set out – and, of course, don't forget to fully charge your mobile. Also, make sure you have mountain insurance.
For more information about who to call if you are injured or get lost in the mountains, click here. Remember the mountain rescue phone number: 18300.
But if that seems a long trip, don't get discouraged. I’m not boasting, but on the particular Thursday when I made my trip, I got there in half the time. People I met and passed by on the trail arrived around 20 to 40 minutes later.
So it's fair to say that the time shown on the map and signpost is slightly inflated. In other words, the trip there and back might take you around four hours, not counting the time spent at the hut patting the beautiful dogs and enjoying your tasty meal.
The path is relatively easy, with only a slight elevation here and there between several flatter sections. Crampons and micro-spikes are not necessary, but trekking poles may help limit fatigue. The trail is also very easy to navigate and in winter the final stretch is marked by poles.
As always, don’t forget to wear good boots and warm clothes, and take a spare base layer in your backpack.
Surrounded by trees, mountains
Hitting the trail at the Biela Voda (lit. white water) bus stop and following yellow markers, I was reminded a little bit of the sad view on the path towards Hrebienok. Overcast skies didn't do much to improve things.
Luckily, in just a few minutes I was in the forest with the Kežmarská Biela Voda stream burbling to my right, and I found myself stopping from time to time to admire it, beautifully green here and there, as it flowed by. The bridges that span it in various places offer a great way to watch the cascading waters. There is something very calming about watching water flow.
