At 2372 metres above sea level, Lodowa Przełęcz — known in Slovak as Sedielko — holds a remarkable distinction: it is the highest mountain pass in the Tatra Mountains crossed by a marked hiking trail. Sitting in the main Tatra ridge between Široká veža and Malý Ľadový štít, this is a place where the effort of the climb is rewarded with raw, breathtaking alpine scenery.
The landscape here is everything you would hope for from the High Tatras — jagged ridgelines, steep slopes dropping away on both sides, and on a clear day, sweeping views across the Slovak Tatras. The western slopes descend towards Zadnia Jaworowa Valley, while the eastern side falls into the Ľadová Valley. In summer the pass is windswept and rugged, with a wonderful sense of remoteness. In autumn the rocky terrain takes on an even more dramatic appearance. The route is officially closed in winter due to serious avalanche risk, so this is strictly a warm-season destination.
How to reach the viewpointIn 1891 an entire infantry battalion crossed this pass — a remarkable feat that gives you a new appreciation for the route every time you make the climb yourself.