Tiché pleso — 'Silent Lake' — is one of the most extraordinary little lakes in the High Tatras, and not just because of the hush that surrounds it. Unlike every other lake in the High Tatras, it was not carved out by a glacier but formed when the roof of a cave collapsed, making it the only karst lake in the entire range. Small, serene, and wrapped in strict natural protection, it is a true geological oddity.

Sitting at 1745 m above sea level in the upper reaches of Široká dolina — a side branch of Javorová dolina — the lake measures just 30 m long and 22 m wide, with a maximum depth of only 0.5 m. Yet what it lacks in size it makes up for in atmosphere. To the west rises the ridge of Horvátov vrch, continuing south through Zámky to Široká; to the east stand the peaks of Svišťovky; and northward the peaceful Široká dolina opens up. In summer the shallow water warms to around 20°C. About 75 m away lies the smaller, intermittent Malé Tiché pleso. The whole valley has been a protected hunting reserve since feudal times, and today forms part of TANAP's strictest protection zone.

• The lake is located within a strictly protected nature reserve of TANAP and is not accessible to the public. No marked tourist trails lead directly to it.

• Access is prohibited — the lake lies within a strict nature reserve of TANAP.
• The lake has no surface inflow or outflow.
• A small seasonal lake, Malé Tiché pleso, is located approximately 75 m away.

Tiché pleso holds a unique distinction: it is the only lake in the High Tatras of karst — rather than glacial — origin, born from the collapse of an underground cave ceiling. A rare geological gem hidden in one of the Tatras' quietest valleys.