High Tatras with its 24 (or 25) peaks higher than 2,500 m above sea level provide the only mountains with an Alpine character in the whole of the 1,200 km length of the Carpathian Mountain range, and thus it is its highest part.

The major part and all the highest peaks of the mountains are situated in Slovakia. The highest peak is the Gerlachovský štít with 2,655 m. Many unique animals and plant species can be found in the High Tatras. Large predators, such as bear, lynx, wild cat, marten, wolf and fox still live here. There are more than 1,300 described plant species.

The area is a well known winter sport area, with resorts such as the (Town of) High Tatra(s) (created in 1999; it includes the former separate resorts Štrbské pleso, Starý Smokovec, and Tatranská Lomnica and Poprad) in Slovakia, or Zakopane in Poland.

The first European cross-border national park was founded here - Tatra National Park (Tatranský národny park - TANAP) in Slovakia in 1948 (the law came into effect on January 1st, 1949) and the Tatra National Park (Tatranski Park Narodowy - TPN) in Poland in 1954.