Tatra Mountains Zakopane
5
Day Itinerary •
Poland
Five days in the Tatra Mountains and Zakopane takes you to the most dramatic mountain landscape in Poland and the finest mountain resort town in Central Europe. The Tatra National Park on the Polish-Slovak border has the highest peaks in the Carpathians, extraordinary glacial lakes, remarkable waterfalls and the finest mountain hiking in Poland. Zakopane below is the cultural capital of the Gorals, the remarkable highland people of southern Poland. This route covers the complete Tatra and Zakopane experience. The extraordinary Morskie Oko glacial lake reached by horse-drawn carriage or hiking, the remarkable Kasprowy Wierch summit by cable car, the fine Koscieliska Valley, the outstanding Chocholowska Valley midsommar festival, the remarkable Dunajec River gorge rafting and the extraordinary Goral folk culture of the Tatra foothills.
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
Buses within Tatra National Park, horse carriage to Morskie Oko
Budget Per Day
Approx 200 to 500 PLN per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, mountain hiking on marked paths
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
HIGH TATRA RIDGE WALK
MORNING
HIGH TATRA RIDGE WALK
A full day exploring the High Tatras on the Polish side from Kasprowy Wierch eastward. The extraordinary ridge walk from Kasprowy east to Skrajny Granat at 2,225 metres gives the finest high-altitude ridge walking in Poland. The remarkable granite peaks, the extraordinary views south into Slovakia, the fine glacial lakes in the cirques below and the outstanding sense of exposure on the ridge are all remarkable. Cable car approx 72 PLN, technical path. Travel: Bus to Kuznice
MIDDAY
VALLEY OF FIVE POLISH LAKES
The Valley of Five Polish Lakes, reached on foot from the ridge or from Palenica, is the most extraordinary high-altitude valley in the Polish Tatras. The remarkable five glacial lakes at altitudes between 1,665 and 1,788 metres, surrounded by dramatic peaks and connected by fine hiking paths, give the finest combination of mountain lakes in one valley in Poland. The extraordinary Przedni Staw and the remarkable Wielki Staw are outstanding. Free with park entry. Travel: 1 hour walk
AFTERNOON
ZAKOPANE THERMAL BATHS
The Zakopane thermal baths at Chocho n ow and Bukowina use the extraordinary geothermal waters of the Tatra foothills to create the finest outdoor pool complex in Poland. The remarkable hot springs, the outstanding views of the Tatra peaks from the pools and the fine relaxation after four days of mountain hiking make it the perfect final afternoon. Entry approx 60 PLN.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Orla Perc, the Eagle's Path ridge walk across the highest peaks of the Polish Tatras from Kasprowy to Kozi Wierch, is the most technically demanding and remarkable mountain walk in Poland. Via ferrata equipment recommended.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Zakopane hotel Early start for the ridge cable car. | Lunch: Valley of Five Lakes hut Traditional mountain lunch above the extraordinary glacial lakes. | Dinner: Krupowki final evening Final Tatra dinner. Oscypek and zurek on the finest mountain promenade.
DAY 5
ZAKOPANE FAREWELL
MORNING
ZAKOPANE REGIONAL MUSEUM AND FOLK ART
The Tatra Museum in Zakopane has the finest collection of Goral folk culture in Poland. The extraordinary embroidered costumes, the remarkable carved wooden furniture, the fine collection of Zakopane-style architecture drawings and the outstanding highland history exhibition are all remarkable. The remarkable Villa Koliba nearby, the first building in the Zakopane style designed by Witkiewicz in 1892, is the finest single villa in the town. Entry approx 15 PLN. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
GORAL MARKET ON KRUPOWKI
The Goral market on Krupowki promenade has the finest selection of traditional Polish mountain products in the country. The extraordinary oscypek sheep's cheese smoked over juniper wood, the remarkable wooden carved items in the Goral style and the outstanding highlander crafts make it the finest souvenir market in Poland. The remarkable atmosphere of Krupowki on a warm morning with the Giewont peak visible above is outstanding. Free. Travel: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO KRAKOW OR JOURNEY HOME
The bus or train journey from Zakopane back to Krakow takes about 2 hours through the extraordinary Malopolska landscape, the remarkable Tatra foothills giving way to the fine Vistula valley. The extraordinary experience of five days in the most dramatic mountain landscape in Poland leaves the Tatra Mountains impossible to forget. The remarkable views of Giewont from the bus window are the finest farewell to Zakopane. Bus approx 20 PLN.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Strazyska Valley above Zakopane, with the remarkable Siklawa waterfall and the fine meadows below Giewont, is the finest short walk from the town centre. The 2-hour circuit gives the best Tatra introduction without needing a bus. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Zakopane hotel Final Tatra breakfast before the Krakow bus. | Lunch: Krupowki final snack Oscypek and tea at the finest mountain promenade. | Dinner: Krakow or arrival city Return home after five extraordinary Tatra days.
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