Tatranská Lomnica is the eastern anchor of the High Tatras resorts, and it sits beneath one of the most striking peaks in the range, Lomnický štít, at 2,634 metres. A cable car runs up from the village to the summit in stages, carrying visitors to a stony top with an observatory and, on a clear day, a view over Slovakia and into Poland. The old cable car has been a Tatra institution for generations, and queues form on sunny days in summer.
The village has the feel of a place built for health and leisure. Villas and guesthouses in wooden or stone styles line the streets, with a main square, a small park and a railway station where the little electric trains arrive from Poprad. There is an astronomical research station on the nearby peak, and a small museum in the village tells the story of the Tatras and the people who explored them. Autumn is a favourite season, with crisp air and snow on the peaks, but summer brings the biggest crowds.
The Freedom Road reaches its eastern end here, after running along the foot of the range from the western resorts. Riding it is a relaxed pleasure, with views of the mountains opening between the trees, smooth tarmac and gentle bends, though speed limits are strictly enforced and there are many pedestrian crossings in the resort villages. In the evening, deer sometimes come to the verges, so keep an eye out near forests. Weather in the Tatras can turn quickly, and fog or rain can hide the peaks within minutes, so it is best to catch the views early.
To the east lies Kežmarok, a historic town with a castle and a wooden Lutheran church that is on the UNESCO list, and it makes a good side trip if you have time. Kežmarok, about twelve kilometres away, is also the sensible place for fuel and supplies, since the resort itself has fewer options. In the village you will find cafés and restaurants serving Slovak dishes such as potato pancakes, bryndzové halušky and venison, and cakes to go with strong coffee.
Spend a quiet half hour by the station, where the old trams still rattle in, and listen to the mountain wind.