Tatra Mountains Zakopane
3
Day Itinerary •
Poland
Three days in the Tatra Mountains and Zakopane covers the essential mountain experience of southern Poland. The extraordinary Morskie Oko, the most beautiful glacial lake in the Polish Tatras, the remarkable Kasprowy Wierch summit by cable car and the outstanding Krupowki promenade of Zakopane with its remarkable Goral wooden architecture make three days of outstanding mountain scenery and Polish highland culture. This focused route gives a full day at the extraordinary Morskie Oko, a day at the remarkable Kasprowy Wierch summit and the fine Koscieliska Valley, and a day exploring the outstanding Dunajec Gorge and the remarkable Goral culture, covering the three finest experiences of the Polish Tatras.
Best Time To Visit
June to September for hiking, December to March for skiing
Getting There
Train or bus from Krakow, 2 hours
Getting Around
Park buses, horse carriage, cable car
Budget Per Day
Approx 200 to 500 PLN per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, mountain hiking on marked trails
DAY 1
MORSKIE OKO, EYE OF THE SEA
MORNING
MORSKIE OKO, THE EYE OF THE SEA
Morskie Oko, the largest and most beautiful glacial lake in the Polish Tatra Mountains, is reached by a remarkable horse-drawn carriage ride or a 9km walk from the car park at Palenica Bialczanska. The extraordinary turquoise lake at 1,395 metres, surrounded by dramatic peaks including Rysy at 2,503 metres, the highest point in Poland, and the remarkable Czarny Staw lake above it, are the finest mountain scenery in Poland. Entry Tatra National Park approx 8 PLN. Travel: Bus from Zakopane
MIDDAY
CZARNY STAW NAD MORSKIM OKIEM
Above Morskie Oko, a steep 30-minute climb leads to Czarny Staw, the Black Lake, which sits in an extraordinary glacial cirque at 1,580 metres. The remarkable dark water, the extraordinary rock faces surrounding and the outstanding silence of this higher lake make it the most dramatic single viewpoint in the Polish Tatras. The combination of both lakes in one visit is the finest mountain experience in Poland. Entry included with park ticket. Travel: 30 min climb
AFTERNOON
ZAKOPANE KRUPOWKI AND GORAL CULTURE
Zakopane's Krupowki promenade, the extraordinary wooden-architecture pedestrian street lined with remarkable Goral-style carved wooden buildings, handicraft stalls and outstanding highlander food, is the finest single street in the Polish mountains. The remarkable oscypek smoked sheep's cheese, the extraordinary Goral music and the fine wooden villas in the Zakopane style designed by Stanislaw Witkiewicz are all outstanding. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Zakopane Style villas along Koscieliska Street, designed by Stanislaw Witkiewicz to create a distinctly Polish national architectural style from Goral folk traditions, are the finest collection of wooden architecture in Poland. Free to view.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Zakopane hotel or guesthouse Good breakfast before the Morskie Oko bus. | Lunch: Morskie Oko mountain hut Traditional zurek and bigos at the extraordinary glacial lake hut. | Dinner: Krupowki restaurant, Zakopane Oscypek, lamb and traditional Goral cuisine on the finest mountain promenade.
DAY 2
KASPROWY WIERCH AND KOSCIELISKA
MORNING
KASPROWY WIERCH BY CABLE CAR
at summit The Kasprowy Wierch cable car from Kuznice rises 936 metres to the 1,987-metre summit in two stages. The extraordinary panoramic view from the summit over the Polish and Slovak Tatras, the remarkable ridge walk east to Liliowe and the outstanding experience of standing on the border between Poland and Slovakia at the highest accessible point in the Tatras are all remarkable. The views on clear days extend to the Beskids and even the Hungarian plain. Cable car approx 72 PLN. Travel: Bus from Zakopane
MIDDAY
KOSCIELISKA VALLEY WALK
The Koscieliska Valley, the most beautiful valley in the Western Tatras, is reached by bus from Zakopane. The extraordinary limestone gorge entrance, the remarkable cave systems including the Mrozna Cave, the outstanding Hala Ornak mountain meadow and the fine valley path through extraordinary mixed forest are all outstanding. The valley is less crowded than the Morskie Oko route and gives the finest forest mountain experience in the Tatras. Entry cave approx 8 PLN. Travel: Bus
AFTERNOON
ZAKOPANE OLD CEMETERY AND VILLA SEASON
The Zakopane Old Cemetery on Peksowy Brzyzek is the most extraordinary mountain cemetery in Poland, its remarkable carved wooden crosses, the fine gravestones of celebrated Poles who loved the Tatras and the outstanding location overlooking the Giewont peak making it the most atmospheric site in the town. The remarkable Witkiewicz wooden villas in the streets behind the cemetery are the finest Polish vernacular architecture. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Giewont, the 1,895-metre peak with a remarkable metal cross on the summit visible from all of Zakopane, is the finest half-day hike from the town. The steep ascent takes about 2 hours and gives the finest view of the Tatras. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Zakopane hotel Good breakfast before the cable car bus. | Lunch: Kasprowy Wierch summit cafe Simple lunch at the highest accessible point in the Polish Tatras. | Dinner: Siwy Dym, Zakopane The finest traditional Goral restaurant in Zakopane. Book ahead.
DAY 3
CHOCHOLOWSKA AND DUNAJEC GORGE
MORNING
CHOCHOLOWSKA VALLEY
The Chocholowska Valley in the westernmost part of the Polish Tatras is the longest and most tranquil valley in the park. The extraordinary Chocholowska mountain meadow with its remarkable stone shepherds' huts, the fine herds of sheep producing the extraordinary oscypek cheese and the outstanding hiking to the Slovak border give the finest sense of traditional Goral mountain life. The remarkable valley stream and the fine beech forest are outstanding. Park entry approx 8 PLN. Travel: Bus
MIDDAY
DUNAJEC RIVER GORGE RAFTING
The Dunajec River Gorge rafting from Katy to Szczawnica is the most extraordinary river experience in Poland. The remarkable traditional wooden raft poles guide the raft through the extraordinary Pieniny Mountains gorge with dramatic limestone cliffs rising 300 metres from the river on both sides. The outstanding Trzy Korony peak visible from the raft and the remarkable Slovak castle ruins above the gorge are all extraordinary. Raft approx 80 PLN. Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
NIEDZICA CASTLE AND RETURN
Niedzica Castle, the extraordinary medieval fortress above the remarkable Czorsztyn Lake on the Dunajec River, is the finest castle in the Pieniny Mountains. The remarkable silhouette of the castle above the turquoise lake, the outstanding views of the Tatra Mountains from the castle walls and the fine museum inside make it outstanding. The drive back to Zakopane through the extraordinary Tatra foothills is remarkable. Entry approx 18 PLN.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Trzy Korony summit in the Pieniny Mountains, visible from the Dunajec raft, is the finest viewpoint between Krakow and the Tatras. The 45-minute hike gives the most remarkable view of the Dunajec gorge from above. Entry approx 18 PLN.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Zakopane hotel Good breakfast before the Chocholowska Valley bus. | Lunch: Chocholowska mountain hut Traditional zurek at the extraordinary shepherd meadow hut. | Dinner: Zakopane dinner Excellent Goral food after the remarkable Dunajec day.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Zakopane, all nights Good guesthouses and hotels near Krupowki. Approx 150 to 350 PLN per night. Mountain hut option PTTK mountain huts inside the park offer basic but extraordinary accommodation. Approx 80 PLN. Booking ahead Zakopane fills completely in July and August. Book at least 4 weeks ahead.
Top Tips
1. Buy Tatra National Park entry tickets at the park boundary. Keep the ticket all day.
2. The cable car to Kasprowy Wierch has queues of up to 3 hours in July and August. Go early.
3. Always check weather forecasts before hiking above 1,500 metres in the Tatras.
4. Oscypek smoked sheep's cheese is the finest Polish food souvenir. Buy from shepherds.
5. The Morskie Oko horse carriage is included in most guided tours but can be walked in 2 hours.
6. Zakopane in summer is very busy. Book accommodation at least 4 weeks ahead.
Total Budget
300 to 700 PLN/day