Veľký Kostol is a striking trapezoid-shaped rock tower tucked away in the Middle Ridge of the High Tatras. It is not a place for casual walkers — it is a raw, vertical world that rewards experienced climbers with a genuine sense of alpine adventure.

The tower sits in the Prostredný hrebeň ridge, below Prostredný hrot, wedged between Malý Kostol (2095.4 m) and Chmúrna veža (2257.9 m). On its south-western side it drops in an elegant, roughly 65-metre wall straight into Veľká Studená dolina (Great Cold Valley) — an impressive sight even from the valley floor. The rock can be loose in places, and the exposed position means conditions can change quickly in any season.

• Veľká Studená dolina (Great Cold Valley) — approach from the valley to the SW face; summit routes start from around Bránička col, minimum difficulty grade II UIAA.
• Malá Studená dolina (Little Cold Valley) — alternative routes up the NE face, around grade IV UIAA.

• Veľký Kostol is a technical climbing objective, not a hiking peak — rock climbing skills are essential.
• The SE ridge saw its first ascent in 1902 by F. Habesch (grade II); the NW ridge was first climbed in 1908 by Gy. Komarnicky, S. Laufer and A. Martin — note that the rock on this route is described as brittle.
• The hardest recorded line follows the centre of the SW face, first climbed in 1954 by I. Gálfy and J. Poljak at grade V UIAA.

What makes Veľký Kostol particularly interesting is the variety it packs into such a compact formation — from accessible ridge scrambles to serious wall routes, all on a tower whose distinctive trapezoid silhouette is one of the most recognisable shapes in this part of the Tatras.