Vyšné studené pleso is a hidden gem tucked away at the southern foot of Strelecká veža on the Strelecká plateau in the Veľká Studená valley in the High Tatras. One of three small sister lakes, it sits highest of the trio and rewards those willing to venture off the beaten track with an atmosphere of genuine mountain wilderness.

Perched at 1,812 metres above sea level and only 0.8 metres deep, this tiny lake punches well above its weight in terms of scenery. The surrounding rocky slopes create a raw, dramatic backdrop, and the near-silence — broken only by the trickle of Studený potôčik flowing out towards Veľký Studený potok — makes it feel like a place truly apart. In summer the area is lush and full of Alpine life; in autumn the dwarf pine turns golden and the reflections in the still water are simply stunning.

• There is no marked hiking trail leading directly to the lake. Access is through the Veľká Studená valley via off-trail terrain — recommended for experienced hikers with good navigation skills only.

• No marked trail leads to the lake — off-trail navigation required.
• The area falls within the Tatra National Park; camping and leaving marked paths without a permit is prohibited.

For a long time all three lakes in this group had no official names and were essentially 'secret' — it was Polish visitors who first gave them the collective name Niespodziane Stawki, meaning 'unexpected ponds', a title that still feels entirely fitting today.