Tucked away at the very head of Mlynická Valley in the High Tatras, Vyšné Kozie pleso is one of those rare alpine lakes that feels like a secret the mountains are reluctant to share. Far from the beaten trail, it rewards those willing to make the effort with absolute solitude and jaw-dropping surroundings.

Sitting at 2,109 m above sea level, the lake covers 5,120 m² and reaches a depth of just 3.3 m. Interestingly, what most guides describe as a single lake is actually two separate bodies of water sitting at nearly the same elevation — a detail that even seasoned Tatras hikers often miss. Above the water, the main Tatra ridge sweeps dramatically from Štrbský štít across Hlinská Tower, Caple Towers and Zadná Bašta, creating a natural amphitheatre of granite. In early summer, snowfields cling to the slopes above the dark water; in autumn, the crisp air and golden light make the cirque feel almost otherworldly.

How to get there

• Štrbské Pleso (lake/parking) — trail through Mlynická Valley toward the upper valley; the lake lies well off the main marked trail and is barely visible from Bystré saddle — demanding, recommended for experienced hikers only.

Practical information

• The area falls within the strict protection zone of Tatra National Park — always check current regulations regarding off-trail movement before setting out.

The lake owes its name — meaning 'Upper Chamois Lake' — to a moment in 1877 when a natural history teacher named Julius Geyer spotted an unusually large herd of chamois on the shore of the lower lake and named it in their honour. The name gradually spread uphill, and chamois are still occasionally seen here today.