Hiking enthusiasts are really spoilt for choice all around Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains. An area with more than 40 routes is known for its stunning mountain landscapes that inspire and provide unforgettable experience. Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced hiker, there are routes of various difficulties. Following hikes can be completed in 1 day or split over few days to enjoy sleeping in beautifully set mountain lodges.
Let me take you to the best hiking routes from lush meadows of crocus flowers to snow-capped peaks in the Tatras. Here is a list of 12 best hiking trails in Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains.
1. Morskie Oko ( the Eye of the Sea )
This beautiful mountain lake lies 1393 meters above sea level in the Tatra Mountains. It sits deep within the Tatra National Park at the base of the Mieguszowiecki Summits. It is the largest lake in the Tatras. When you reach the end, you will be mesmerized by the beauty! You can spot here, Rysy (2499m – the highest peak in Poland) Mieguszowiecki Szczyt Wielki (2438m), Zabi Szczyt Nizni (2098m) and Zabi Mnich (2146 m). It is loved by many for its beautiful turquoise color during the summer season! The trail starts at Palenica Bialczanska and takes approximately 2h.
A fun fact is that Morskie Oko, literally means the Eye of the Sea. The legend says that Morskie Oko was connected to the sea by a tunnel.
Total time: 2h
Lenght: 9,3km
Rating: easy
Altitude Max: 1395m
2. Dolina Pieciu Stawow ( Valley of Five Lakes)
The trail starts at Palenica Bialczanska and takes you through the most spectacular panoramic views of Tatra Mountains. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful valley in the Tatras. The Valley of Five Lakes include: Czarny Staw Polski (Black Polish Pond), Maly Staw Polski (Little Polish Pond), Wielki Staw Polski (Great Polish Pond), Przedni Staw Polski (Front Polish Pond)and Zadni Staw Polski (Back Polish Pond). You will also have a chance to see two beautiful Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza and Siklawa waterfalls. I would recommend to start the hiking early in the morning to skip the crowds.
Total time: 2h10
Lenght: 9,3km
Rating: easy
Altitude Max: 1671m
3. Dolina Chocholowska (Chocholowska Valley)
Chocholowska Valley is the largest and the longest valley in the Tatras. The trail is perfect for those, who enjoy easy walks with kids or elderly people. The unspoiled environment and shepherds huts make this place very unique and peaceful. This is the only valley in the Tatra Mountains, where you can enjoy biking and waking with your pets. During spring, you can spot here plenty of purple crocus flowers, the brightest and earliest bloomers. While in the winter season, the valley attracts number of cross country skiers and ski touring enthusiasts.
Total time: from Siwa Polana – 2h
Lenght: 7,3km
Rating: very easy
Altitude Max: 1148m
4. Dolina Koscieliska ( Koscieliska Valley)
Dolina Koscieliska is another pleasant and comfortable valley for families with kids. I love to visit this place especially in the winter, when everything is transformed into a peace of heaven by fluffy and light snow. Along the path, you will enjoy soothing sounds of Koscieliska stream. The main attraction for visitors are caves located along the path and open to the public. At the end of the route, you will reach the Ornak Mountain Hut, where you can rest and admire the surroundings.
Total time: from Kiry – 1h20
Lenght: 6km
Rating: very easy
Altitude Max: 1100m
5. Dolina Gasiennicowa ( Gasiennicowa Valley )
The trail starts at Kuznice located just before the entry to the cable car station ( trip to Myślenickie Turnie and the Mount Kasprowy). There are two available trails which lead to Dolina Gasiennicowa. The yellow trail goes through Jaworzynka Valley and the blue trail passes through Boczan. This route is loved by many, as provides incredible views of High and Western Tatras. At the end of the route, you will reach Murowaniec hostel, where you can relax and eat some polish goods.
After a break, take a blue trail that leads to Czarny Staw Gasiennicowy (Black Pond). It is one of the most beautiful and largest lakes in the Tatra Mountains. The Black Pond is located at 1628m above sea level and the hike from Gasiennicowa valley takes approximately 40min.
Total time: both trails 1h30
Lenght: 5km
Rating: easy
Altitude Max: 1500m
6. Zawrat
The trail starts at Kuznice and goes through Boczan, Valley Gasiennicowa and Black Pond. It attracts lots of visitors for its spectacular views over two most famous valleys in the Tatras. It is not very challenging route, however you need to be an advanced hiker to reach the top. In the final part of the route, between Zmarzly Staw and the peak, you need to be ready for rock climbing and more demanding hiking.
Total time: 4h30
Length: 9,5 km
Rating: moderate, from Zmarzly Staw – difficult
Altitude Max: 2159m
7. Rusinowa Polana
The trail starts at Wierch Poroniec, about 20km away from Zakopane. The iconic route passes through some of the most beautiful landscapes over a stretch of 100ha. Here, you can spot legendary peaks such Hawran, Muran, Gerlach, Ganek, Rysy, and Mieguszowieckie. A summertime stroll here feels like wandering through a fairy-tale land. You can spot here a flock of sheep grazing in the meadow.
Total time: 1h
Length: 3,5km
Rating: very easy
Altitude Max: 1210m
8. Kasprowy Wierch
The hike starts at Kuznice and takes approximately 2,5 hours. It is less traveled area, so you can meet here number of runners and other sport enthusiasts. There is also available a cable car for visitors, who rather than hiking, prefer to enjoy the Tatra valleys and panoramic views out of cable car window. During winter, Kasprowy Wierch is a hot spot for skiers with two popular ski lifts.
Total time: 2,5h
Length: 7,5km
Rating: very easy
Altitude Max: 1987 m s.n.m.
9. Czerwone Wierchy (Red Peaks)
It is very attractive 1 day hiking route and is classified as a not too challenging. Czerwone Wierchy consists four peaks such Ciemniak (2096 m), Krzesanica (2122 m), Małołączniak (2096 m) and Kopa Kondracka (2005 m). I would recommend to start the trail at Koscieliska Valley and follow the red trail from Kiry to Ciemniak and Kopa Kondracka. The route along the ridge is quite flat, so you can walk easily and enjoy outstanding panorama views of Slovak High Tatras. If you are lucky enough, you will meet some lovely residents of this area – chamois.
Total time: 8,5h
Length: 17km
Rating: moderate
Altitude Max: 2096m
10. Koscielec
It is another beautiful, full day trip in the Tatra Mountains. The trails starts at popular Kuznice and goes through Murowaniec in Gasiennicowa valley, Black Pound, then up to Karb and to the summit of Koscielec. The last part of the route is very strenuous, as it includes rock scrambling. However, when you reach the top, you will be mesmerized by the beauty of Swinica and the Slovak High Tatras.
Total time: 8-10h
Length: 18km
Rating: difficult
Altitude Max: 1987 m s.n.m.
11. Rysy
Climbing the highest peak of Poland? Why not!
The trail starts at Palenica Bialczanska. During the trip, you will see the well-known Morskie Oko, Black Pond in Gasiennicowa Valley and Bula pod Rysami. This is a trek suitable for only experienced hikers in good physical conditions. At the top, visitors are rewarded with breathtaking views of High Tatras with legendaryWysokie Skalki, Lodowy and Mięguszowieckie Peaks. A fun fact is that the other side of Rysy is located in Slovakia, but the trail is less spectacular.
Total time: 6h30
Length: 12,4km
Rating: moderate
Altitude Max: 2499m
12. Orla Perc ( from Zawrat to Krzyzne )
Orla Perc is considered as the most challenging and dangerous trail the Tatra Mountains has to offer. The route goes mostly along the mountain ridge from Zawrat to Krzyzne. It is suitable only for experienced climbers. The route is a ridge traverse with metal chains and ladders and rock scrambling. Since it was established, we can count more than 140 victims on this trail.
Total time: 6 -7h
Length: 4km
Rating: difficult
Altitude Max: 2291 m s.n.m.
Filling your lungs with fresh alpine air feels good! Do you have your favorite hiking trails in the Tatras. Please leave a comment below. Let’s share it!
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July 6, 2019 @ 6:09 pm
Hi, after reading through forums and your extremely informative blog I am struggling to choose between either:
1. Taking the bus to Lysa Polana and hiking to Bielovodská Dolina.
or a hike from either:
2. Chocholowska
3. Skrzyczne
4. Gubalowka
4. dolina pięciu stawów polskich
The plan would be to leave by bus from Kracow on Friday morning 19th July and hope to get a bus back to Krakow on Saturday evening 20th July or Sunday morning to avoid the Sunday traffic.
We can manage approx 5 hours hiking. Love forests, vegetation and rivers.
We will rely on public transport and don’t want to be with crowds or traffic jams. Looking for peace and quiet.
If you have any recommendations of places to stay, transport, and quietest hikes for the Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, please let me know. Thank you so much.
Where to Stay in Zakopane - Unique Accommodation in Zakopane
November 21, 2019 @ 6:14 pm
[…] of visitors every year. Alive with adventure and wonder, it offers stunning mountain landscapes, some of the best hiking trails in Poland and endless fun things to do in […]