Wielka Teriańska Turnia is one of the most striking towers of the Hruby Ridge in the Slovak High Tatras — a mighty rock fortress rising to 2375 m, famous for its imposing 600-metre north face. This is a peak for seasoned mountaineers, not casual hikers — there are no marked trails leading to its summit.

The character of this place is raw, wild Tatra rock scenery, its north-facing wall dropping toward the Hlińska Valley and merging seamlessly with the neighbouring Skrajna Teriańska Turnia. The wall features a massive north-eastern pillar and an enormous slab terrace known as the Teriańska Gallery. On the Niewcyrka side, a strict nature reserve, a lower 200-metre wall drops down, cut by gullies and chimneys. In every season this is a place of silence, wind and rugged stone, reserved for experienced climbers.

How to reach the summit

• Traverse along the Hruby Ridge — climbers only, no marked hiking trails
• Climb from the Hlińska Valley side — permitted route under TANAP regulations

Practical information

• No marked hiking trails to the summit — access is for mountaineers only
• Only ridge traverse or climbing from the Hlińska Valley side is permitted
• Niewcyrka is a strict nature reserve of TANAP with a total entry ban
• Several climbing routes have been established here, graded IV to VI- on the Tatra scale, including multi-hour routes (up to 18-21 hours)

The first ascent of the summit was made by Ignacy Król on 22 July 1907, and the peak's name comes from the nearby Teriańske Ponds in Niewcyrka, introduced into literature by Witold Henryk Paryski in 1956.