Wyżnie Harnaskie Oko is a wild, secluded alpine tarn hidden in the Staroleśna Valley in the Slovak High Tatras. Sitting at approximately 1985 m above sea level, it belongs to the scenic group of Harnaskie Ponds and is one of two so-called 'Harnaskie Oka' — small eye-like tarns tucked into the high mountain terrain. If you love discovering forgotten alpine gems off the beaten path, this is your kind of place.
The tarn is set within the rugged, dramatic landscape of the High Tatras. In spring and summer the still water mirrors the surrounding rocks and open sky, creating an atmosphere of deep mountain solitude. Autumn brings golden hues to the surrounding terrain, while early winter drapes the shores in snow, lending the spot an almost mystical quality. This is not a place with tourist infrastructure — it rewards those willing to put in the effort to reach it.
How to get thereIt is worth knowing that the exact position of this tarn is described differently across guidebooks — the Great Tatra Encyclopedia places it west of Wyżni Harnaski Staw, while the Tatra Bedeker locates it slightly west of Pośredni Harnaski Staw. The tarn has never been precisely surveyed, which only adds to its mysterious character.
The name 'Harnaskie' comes from the word 'harnaś', meaning the leader of a band of mountain outlaws — directly linking this tarn to the rich outlaw legends of the Tatras. In Slovak, it is known as Malé Zbojnícke pleso, grouped among the 'Zbojnícke plesá' — the Outlaw Tarns.