Tucked away in the middle section of the Velická Valley in the Slovak High Tatras, Długi Staw Wielicki (Dlhé pleso) is a hidden gem that rewards every hiker who makes the effort to reach it. Sitting at 1945 m above sea level, beneath the imposing massif of Gerlach — the highest peak in the Tatras — this small mountain lake has a raw, almost otherworldly charm.

The lake measures just 185 × 61 m and reaches a depth of around 5 m, but what truly sets it apart is the remarkable clarity of its water — you can see right down to the bottom even in the deepest spots. The basin is ringed by rocky debris, and the slopes of Žľab Karczmarza and Žľab Darmstädtera are slowly filling the lake with scree — a reminder that mountain landscapes are always in motion. In winter the entire hollow disappears under deep snow, giving it an austere, polar feel. In summer the water shimmers in vivid shades of blue-green, and the only sounds are the wind and the gentle flow of Velická Water, which rises here and runs down through the Vyšný Velický záhrad.

• From Velické pleso — green trail, approx. 1 h up / 45 min down, moderate difficulty
• From the lake you can continue to Polski Grzebień ridge — approx. 45 min up / 30 min down

• The lake lies within TANAP (Tatra National Park, Slovakia) — national park rules apply
• Access only via marked hiking trails

Fun fact: the lake is gradually being filled in by scree sliding down from the surrounding gullies — a slow but unstoppable natural process that has been observed for decades.