Žlté pleso — or 'Yellow Lake' — is one of those rare High Tatras gems that rewards only the most curious and adventurous visitors. Tucked away in the Žltá kotlinka, the highest of three small valleys within the Dolina Bielych plies, this tiny alpine lake feels like a secret hidden beneath the eastern wall of Jahňací štít.

Sitting at 1,935 metres above sea level, the lake is delightfully small — just 60 metres long, 33 metres wide, and barely a metre deep. Despite its name, the water carries a soft greenish hue rather than any yellow tone, which only adds to its mysterious charm. The setting is dramatic: Jahňací štít rises to the west and Kozí štít to the southwest, their rocky faces reflected in the still surface on calm days. The valley is isolated and quiet, offering a genuine sense of wilderness even in the peak summer months. In autumn, the surrounding terrain glows with golden and russet tones — perhaps the closest the lake ever comes to living up to its yellow name.

• There is no marked tourist trail leading directly to Žlté pleso — access is possible only off-trail, ideally with an experienced Tatra mountain guide.

• Off-trail hiking in this area is subject to TANAP national park regulations — always check current rules before planning a visit.
• The lake can be seen from the summits of Jahňací štít and Kozí štít, making those peaks a great alternative for those who prefer to stay on marked routes.

Curiously, nobody knows exactly how the lake got its 'yellow' name — the water has always been green, and the mystery remains unsolved to this day.