Warzęchowy Staw (Vareškové pleso) is a serene alpine lake tucked into the rocky bowl of a glacial cirque at 1834 m above sea level — one of those High Tatra gems that rewards every step of the approach. Nestled in the Stará Lesná Valley on the Slovak side of the Tatras, it belongs to a group of 27 Stará Lesná Lakes and offers a wonderfully quiet escape from busier trails.

The lake measures roughly 117 × 39 m and sits beneath the rocky pinnacle of Slavkovská vežíčka rising to the south. The surrounding landscape blends dramatic rockfaces with open alpine meadows. In summer the water shimmers with cool clarity, while autumn brings golden hues to the surrounding grass and shrubs. Just above, at 1894 m, lies Dlhé pleso (Long Lake), making this a great spot on a longer ridge walk. Centuries ago the Warzęchowa Valley was used as pasture by the people of Stará Lesná — today only hikers and the wind pass through.

• Rainerova chata (near Studenovodské vodopády waterfalls) — blue trail, approx. 2 hrs 15 min, moderate
• From Zbojnícka chata (Zbojnická mountain hut) towards Rohatka — blue trail, approx. 1 hr 45 min downhill, moderate

The lake takes its name from 'warzucha tatrzańska' — a plant endemic to the Tatra Mountains found nowhere else on Earth. Interestingly, the Slovak and Czech translations of the name are technically incorrect: 'vareška' means a kitchen ladle in those languages, not the rare plant. A small linguistic curiosity hidden in the mountains!