Krivan is a majestic peak in the High Tatras, natural symbol and has been an unofficial national icon since the 19th century, when the famous Stur generation made several ascents here.
Since 2005, Krivan has featured on Slovak euro coin and there’s even a small planet named after it.
Hiking to Krivan is a must. The peak’s striking curved summit is easily recognizable from the Liptov side, especially near Pribylina or Hybe. The easiest route starts by Tri Studnicky, winding past Grunik — a WW II partisan battlefield—and then climbing steeply through Krivánsky zlab.
We arrived to Pribylina on Friday 12th of September and overslept in one of the many apartments, locals are offering.
We begun the hike on Saturday morning, just after 7 am, when the dedicated parking was almost full of mainly Polish but also Slovak cars.
Our effort was rewarded with a stunning 360° view from the peak to the whole High Tatras on the east and wide part of the lower country to the west.
The hike from Tri Studnicky parking is roughly 12,7km long and it took us 8 hours, 7 minutes with 1371 meters of elevation gain.