THE TATRA MOUNTAINS

You’ve probably heard of the picturesque cities Krakow and Gdansk. You might even have been there! But have you ever thought of going to the mountains in Poland? Or did you not know Poland had mountains? Well now you know! In fact, Poland has some of the most beautiful mountains with glacier blue lakes just by the border of Slovakia. These mountains are called “The Tatra Mountains”, and are Poland’s little treasure in the south of the country.

Where to stay:

There is a lot of small different mountain villages around the Tatra Mountains where you can rent an Airbnb, stay at a Bed and Breakfast or a local hotel. A popular town to stay in is the town called Zakopane. It has good shopping opportunities and transport connections to the mountains.

How to get around:

If you are staying in Zakopane you can easily walk through the whole town by foot.
If you want to go on a picnic or a hike in the Tatra Mountains, you can take a local shuttle bus from the bus station in the center of Zakopane. It will drop you off right at the parking lot called “Palencia Bialczanska” where most of the trails start. Just remember to have cash for the bus ride. They charge you 8 PLN one way.

Hikes:

All the hikes mentioned below are located on the same trail. So to get to the second lake (Czarny Staw Pod Rysami), you have to pass Morskie Oko. And to climb to the peak (Rysy) you have to pass Morskie Oko and then Czarny Staw Pod Rysami.

1. Morskie Oko

Morskie Oko
Morskie Oko
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View of Morskie Oko from Czarny Staw Pod Rysami

A perfect turquoise coloured glacier lake to have a picnic at! It’s accessible for families as well as advanced hikers. You’ll be walking on an asphalt road to get there, and it takes around 2-3 hours one way from the parking lot at the base of the mountain.

  • When: All year
  • Elevation: 1395 m
  • Distance: 9 km one way
  • Approximately time: 2-3 hours one way
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cellular Service: Intermittent cell service
  • Washrooms: Yes, there are washrooms both at the parking lot Palencia Bialczanska and at the lake Morskie Oko
  • What to bring: A good pair of sneakers, a lunch pack, snacks (nuts and dark chocolate to get your energy level up), a water bottle

2. Czarny Staw Pod Rysami

Czarny pod-2
Czarny Staw Pod Rysami
Czarny pod
View of Czarny Staw Pod Rysami from the hiking trail of Rysy

If one beautiful glacier lake isn’t enough for you, and you’re up for a little longer hike, follow the signs to Czarny Staw Pod Rysami. It’s only an additional 30 min hike from Morskie Oko.

  • When: All year
  • Elevation: 1583 m
  • Distance: 10,8 km one way
  • Approximately time: 2,5 – 3,5 hours one way
  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Cellular Service: Intermittent cell service
  • Washrooms: No. There are only washrooms at the parking lot Palencia Bialczanska and at the lake Morskie Oko.
  • What to bring: A good pair of sneakers, a lunch pack, snacks (nuts and dark chocolate to get your energy level up), a water bottle

3. Rysy

Rysy1
Trail towards Czarny Staw Pod Rysami and Rysy
Rysy-2
View of Poland from the peak of Rysy

Rysy is the highest peak in Poland and can be hiked in one day. The views are spectacular and definitely worth the many hours of hiking. To get to the peak you need to hike steep paths consisting of a lot of stairs, and the last hour of the hike is done with the use of chains on the mountains.

  • When: Summer – Autumn (June-October)
  • Elevation: 2503 m
  • Distance: 14 km one way
  • Approximately time: 5,5 – 6,5 hours one way
  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Cellular Service: Intermittent cell service
  • Washrooms: No. There are only washrooms at the parking lot Palencia Bialczanska and at the lake Morskie Oko.
  • What to bring: Proper hiking shoes, a lunch pack, snacks (nuts and dark chocolate to get your energy level up), a water bottle

GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY THE TATRAS!