SLOVAKIA - High Tatras 2

Bzmots, Tin Rockets, Piglet Taxis, call them what you want, it's the humble rail bus that has saved many European branch lines from closure, often in very scenic areas.

Hundreds of these four wheeled diesel rail buses were built in the old Czechoslovakia between 1975 and 1984 for use there and in Hungary. Despite the introduction of a lot of new trains recently many of these old units are still soldiering on 40 to 50 years later, including here in Poprad. I am guessing because the mechanics of them are very simple.

Complimenting the TEZ is a standard gauge line that runs from Poprad to the mountain resort of Tatranska Lomnica. There is only one train every two hours and it only runs 7 days a week in the high summer and winter holiday seasons but nevertheless it still survives and around 20 passengers were on this mornings 0816 departure.

It was the first hot day of the trip with 27 degrees forecasted down in Poprad on the plain, so I needed to get some altitude to move away from the heat. Tatranska Lomnica is only at an altitude of 850 metres, so nowhere near high enough.

A TEZ train took me from there to Stary Smokovec at 1010 metres, from where a modern funicular got me up to 1285 metres at Hrebienok. The temperature at this elevation was lovely and cool - ideal for a hike. My aim was to get up to Skalnate Pleso at 1751 metres.

Following the red trail the first stop was at the Obrovsky vodopad (waterfall).

Then as the path climbed higher the vegetation broke to reveal some fantastic views. It was a perfectly clear day - I have no idea how far I could actually see but it was a very long way - I wish I had brought my binoculars.

Eventually I reached Skalnate Pleso - a small mountain lake, but also a changing point between the gondola (which would take me back down to Tatranska Lomnica) and a single cable car (in the middle of the pic below) that would take you up to Lomnicky Stit which is 2634 metres above sea level.

Now I don't like cable cars at the best of times, but who in their right mind would get in that little red thing and go up to the top of that mountain? Needless to say I didn't - basically because I consider myself of right mind and also the whole journey up from Tatranska Lomnica was around £80. I would say there are plenty of mad people out there because it was fully booked.

After my walk I needed some refreshment so I adjourned to the mountain restaurant for what can only be assumed to be the Slovakian equivilant of a cream tea - Beer and cake!

After that it was time for a deep breath and to get in the gondola to go back down the mountain - I just sat there quietly with my eyes closed - best way.