Gerlachov lies in the Poprad Basin on the southern slopes of the High Tatras. Gerlachovský štít, the highest peak in the Carpathians, is named after the village, linking its name with the mountain region. The village itself also has tangible historical landmarks: a preserved church bell, a stone bridge and the remains of a 13th-century church. At the same time, the educational hiking trail runs through the Tatra foothills and offers panoramic views of the peaks. When planning your trip, you can choose between local history and activities in the mountain landscape.
Traces of Local History
A preserved church bell was cast in 1525. The stone bridge in the lower part of Gerlachov was built no later than 1865 and was declared a national cultural monument on 15 December 2008. The tower, as well as parts of the nave and foundations, remain from an old stone church dating to the 13th century.
A monument honouring residents who fell in the war was erected towards the end of the Second World War. Traditional crafts also form part of the village’s history: Gerlachov was known for bleaching linen, and the bleached linen was of very high quality. Historically, the village was also associated with the production of Tatra oil, referred to as turpentine.
These historical traces take different forms: the bridge is a protected structure, the old church is a partially preserved building, and the bell is a single historical object.
Hiking and Cycling
The educational hiking trail runs between Batizovce, Gerlachov, Mengusovce and Štôla and is almost 10 kilometres long. The route passes through the foothills of the High Tatras and offers panoramic views of the peaks. As route details may change, check the information before setting out.
Cycling is also one of the leisure activities in Gerlachov. If you plan to cycle, check possible routes locally.
Cross-Country Skiing and Event Dates
Tatraheim maintains a 20-kilometre network of cross-country ski trails. Snow conditions and seasonal availability vary. A tourist cross-country ski trail runs from Gerlachov to the Tatraheim area. The trail network and this route are different planning references: the network figure describes the extent maintained, while the route describes the course from Gerlachov to the Tatraheim area.
The annual Horský kros Gerlach race runs from Gerlachov to Sliezsky dom. Check the dates and race arrangements before your trip.
Experience Traditional Crafts
In Gerlachov, visitors can try weaving on traditional looms and watch typical Gerlachov Easter eggs being decorated using the scratching technique. The two activities offer different experiences: you can get hands-on with weaving, while the focus with the Easter eggs is on watching them being decorated. Check in advance whether these activities are available during your visit.
Discover more destinations: Hozelec, Stola, Spišský Štiavnik, Velký Slavkov, Mengusovce, Spišské Bystré, Poprad, Sunava
Return to the broader travel overview: Okres Poprad.
