6 most famous hikes in Tatra Mountains

The Tatra Mountains are located in southern Poland, right on the border with Slovakia. They are the highest and most spectacular Polish mountain range.

If you want to get to know the natural beauty of Poland, the Tatra Mountains are a great choice (generally, Poland is good if you're looking for the cheapest places to travel in Europe).

The highest mountain in Poland is Rysy - it reaches 2499 metres. But it is the Slovaks who have the highest part - mount Gerlach in Slovakia reaches 2653 metres.

Anyway, hiking in Poland is an awesome adventure and what I especially like about Tatra mountains is the great diversity of trails. There are easy few-hour hikes, long whole-day routes, and difficult trails requiring some climbing skills - Tatra mountains are perfect for all kinds of outdoor lovers.

OK, without further ado, let's have a look at the best places to visit in Tatra Mountains.

Some of those trails are short and easy, perfect for families with children, but there are also longer options which take the whole day. But they are all beautiful trails, some of them are the best hikes in Europe! 💙

Here is the overview map showing the entire Tatra region with the. most popular hikes near Zakopane.

1. Giewont peak

Giewont Mountain belongs to the Western Tatra Mountains. It actually consists of 3 peaks, the highest of which reaches 1895 metres.

It is the most characteristic mountain massif in Polish Tatras. Its peculiar shape resembles a lying person and Giewont is also called The Sleeping Knight.

Giewont is also known for the 15-metre-high steel cross, which makes it a popular destination among pilgrims. What is worth mentioning here is that the cross makes Giewont even more dangerous during thunderstorms - the cross is a magnet for lightning and the mountain is the most prominent peak in the area.

We definitely do not want to be on Giewont during a thunderstorm. Check our Tatra Weather Guide article. 

There are several trails leading to Giewont Mountain, the most popular and the fastest option starts in Zakopane Kuźnice. It's the same place where you'll find the famous lift to Kasprowy Wierch Mountain.

Let's have a look at the trail:

Even though there is an overview map we always recommend to buy paper hiking map of Poland & Slovak Tatra.

The hike to Giewont takes about 8 hours. The above route has sections which are closed in winter.

The first part of the hike leads on the blue trail. It is a forest path, very easy to hike, but no views no far.

After about 1.5 hour hike from Kużnice, you get to the Kondratowa Valley mountain hut. It is the smallest hut in Tatra mountains, so it is highly possible we will not find any sitting space in the shelter, but there are some outdoor benches.

Continue hiking on the blue trail. In the beginning, the trail is still very easy, but it gradually gets steeper. Soon you'll get to the steepest part of the whole hike.

After around 1 hour you get to Kondracka Pass (1725 metres). It is a nice place to take a break and gather strength before climbing Giewont.

Continue your ascend on the blue trail. In 10 minutes you are almost at Giewont top. But there is one more challenge. You need to climb on the right side of the peak and there are chains to facilitate the hike.

It is the final part with chains where traffic jams are so frequent.

When you get to Giewont mountain top we still have to be cautious - on the north side, there is several hundred deep chasm. It's important to be extra cautious on the mountaintop, especially there isn't much space.

Hiking from Zakopane Kuźnice to Giewont takes about 3 hours (breaks included).

After you absorb the spectacular panorama from Giewont top, you start climbing down on the blue trail (right side of the mountain). There are chains to make the descent easier.

Now you have 2 options:

• climb down the same way which takes about 2 hours
• choose red and black trails (this takes around 4 hours)

The red trail is a very interesting option - there are 2 viewpoints on the way. Anyway, it is better to explore unknown trail rather than get back on the same route 😉.

Hint: Giewont peak is immensely popular in summertime. There are traffic jams nearby the peak which make the climb dangerous.

The best time to hike to Giewont is September. The weather is more stable, there is a smaller risk of thunderstorms and there are fewer tourists on the trail.

2. Morskie Oko

During one of our trips to Tatra mountains we did really good hiking – we walked about 30 kilometres! It was a challenging experience, but totally worth it - a fantastic landscape of Tatra National Park rewards every effort.

We hiked to Morskie Oko lake but chose different trail than the majority of tourists. The red trail from Palenica Białczańska car park (Morskie Oko parking) is one of the most popular Tatra National Park trails. So, we decided to hike another trail.

This is definitely not the fastest way to get to Morskie Oko, but the advantage of this hike is very little tourists on the trail.

We always recommend to have the paper hiking map of Poland & Slovak Tatra.

We start our hike from Toporowa Cyrhla district and follow the red trail. It is a nice and easy forest path.

After about 1.5 hours we get to Psia Trawka trail fork. It is a great place to take a short break - not many tourists, benches, peace and quiet.

Then we follow the red trail. The path leads through forests and meadows. On our way we pass Rówień Waksmundzka (1405 metres) - picturesque mountain clearing, perfect to have a picnic or just lie on the blanket and stare into the sky.

After about 1 hour we get to Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza waterfall. Here the trail merges with the popular road leading to Morskie Oko lake – the biggest and the most beautiful Tatra lake located on 1395 metres.

This is my least favorite trail in Tatra National Park.

Morskie Oko is an amazing place, but it tends to get crowded - there are a few trails leading to the lake and it is easily accessible to all tourists (also those who do not like hiking).

Since Morskie Oko lake is so famous, there are always crowds of people and carriages pulled by exhausted horses. I truly dislike this asphalt road and wonder why we chose to go there - it is not very comfortable for me to hike on 'artificial' paths. I am all for dirt trails.

Besides, there have been cases when a poor horse died while pulling the carriage because of heat and effort.

So, here is what I think: if a person has legs and can walk, but does not like hiking, there are plenty of beaches for him/her to lie on.

Fortunately, on the way to Morskie Oko there are steep forest shortcuts which make the hike a bit shorter. They are less crowded and more demanding - perfect to diversify the hike.

OK, let's get back to our hike.

When we get to Morskie Oko lake we are already rather tired as our hike already lasts over 5 hours. We need to keep in mind there might be no table available in Morskie Oko mountain hut, so we can have a quick snack on a rock close to the lake and go back hiking the same trail.

Alternative route

If you'd like to hike to Morskie Oko Lake on the fastest and easiest route, check out this guide. The hike starts at the Palenica Białczańska parking.

Choosing this route will save you some time but will cost you some money - you either need to:

→ book a space at the Palenica Białczańska parking (you may do this online here)

→ get a taxi from Zakopane

→ get a bus. Buses shuttle every day from the main Zakopane bus station. You just need to look at the table in the front window of the bus. When bus fills up the driver departs. Buses shuttle very frequently, as the Morskie Oko trailhead is very popular.

3. Five Lakes Valley & Zawrat Pass

Five Lakes Valley is considered to be the most scenic valley in Tatra mountains. In the summertime, it is also an easy and enjoyable hike suitable for families with children. For me, it is one of the best hikes in Poland.

We leave the car at the parking lot in Palenica Białczańska (984 metres). It is commonly known as Morskie Oko parking. It is a very popular car park, so it is best to arrive early in the morning.

Getting to Five Lake Valley takes about 2 hours but the whole hike lasts about 9 hours.

In the beginning, we hike the red trail. It is nothing special, just an asphalt road.

When we get to Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza waterfall we take the green trail leading to Five Lakes Valley mountain hut on 1672 metres.

After 1 hour we get to trail fork and can choose the green or black trail. Let's hike on the black trail, as we will get down on the green path.

Mountain hut in Five Lakes Valley is a fantastic place with a great atmosphere. We get to meet lots of interesting people and there is an added bonus: delicious tomato soup. 😉

But most importantly, the shelter is located over Przedni Staw Polski lake - such an awe-inspiring view!

I highly recommend hiking to Five Lakes Valley - it is relatively easy to get to and sooo beautiful!

And the mountain hut there is not that crowded - no cable car or asphalt road and relatively high altitude make this place more adequate to relax in peace and admire stunning views.

When we leave the mountain hut, we keep hiking the blue trail.

In 10 minutes we get to trail fork where we have 2 options:

• short: climb down to the parking on the green trail. The whole hike lasts 5 hours
• long: continue hiking the blue trail to Zawrat Pass (2158 metres). Walk from Five Lakes Valley shelter to Zawrat Pass takes about 1.5 hours. There are some steep parts, but it is technically easy

We need to remember that Zawrat Pass is situated deep in High Tatra mountains and climate is rather harsh.

We hiked there in the middle of June and it was cold, windy and there was a lot of snow on the trail, while in the valley it was already summertime.

Weather in Tatras can be very surprising.

4. Nosal mountain

Nice and short, one of the easiest Tatra National Park trails - Nosal peak reaches only 1206 metres.

Nevertheless, it is an interesting trail - it leads to a surprisingly high mount taking into consideration Zakopane proximity.

It is perfect for families with children or tired hikers, who still want to enjoy the amazing nature of Tatra mountains, but are too tired for longer hikes. 😉

Trail color: green, yellow, green

We start hiking in Zakopane Jaszczurowka along the green trail. After 30 minutes we get to Olczyska Clearing on 1048 metres. It is a nice place to take a break and relax.

Then, we head towards Nosal peak along the yellow trail. In 20 minutes we change into a green trail.

10 minutes more and we are on Nosal mountain top admiring Zakopane and Western Tatras panorama.

We end our hike in Zakopane Kuznice. There is a cable car which goes to Kasprowy Wierch mountain.

The whole hike takes only about 1.5 hours. Nosal mountain may seem insignificant on the map, but it offers excellent views from the top.

5. Czerwone Wierchy (Red Peaks)

My personal favourite and yet another one of the best hikes in Poland. It consists of 4 peaks, all of which exceed 2000 metres:

• Ciemniak (2096m)
• Krzesanica (2122m)
• Malolaczniak (2096m)
• Kopa Kondracka (2005m)

Red Peaks trail is not technically difficult. There are no exposure points or chains. At some points the trail gets steep, but the effort is rewarded with the spectacular landscape of Western and High Tatra mountains.

I hiked Red Peaks solo at the end of September 2018. I was expecting colorful autumn but had to hike in deep snow. Still, I consider it the most rewarding mountain trail I have ever hiked.

Trail color: green, red, yellow, black, red, black

However, this route is rather long - it took me over 8 hours to hike it.

The trailhead is in Kiry village. There are several parking lots nearby.

We start our hike in Koscieliska valley on the green trail. After about 20 minutes of walk, we get to trail fork and start hiking on the red trail.

The first part of the red trail leads in a forest, but it soon changes into meadows and we get to admire beautiful views of Western Tatra mountains.

The trail gets slightly steep at some points, but there are nice places to take a break.

The first mountain we get to is Ciemniak. Hike to Ciemniak from Koscieliska Valley takes about 3.5 hours.

On a sunny day, the landscape takes your breath away!

After we absorb the immense mountain beauty we continue our hike on the red trail. In 10 minutes we get to Krzesanica mountain.

The path leads us on a picturesque ridge. It is nice, wide and safe, no climbing skills are needed.

Next mountain top we climb is Malolaczniak.

We have 2 options there:

• shorter: start to descend on blue trail (shortens the hike for 1 hour)
• longer: hike to the fourth Red Peak - Kopa Kondracka

I decided to hike all four of Red Peaks and walked to Kopa Kondracka. Each minute spent in the mountains on a sunny day is priceless 💛.

When we get to Kondracka Pass (1725 metres) it is time to hike down on yellow trail. The path leads towards Giewont mountain. After 40 minutes we get to Kondracka Pass (1725m) where we can take a break.

Then, we climb down in the forest to Wielka Polana trail fork where we change into the black trail.

The black trail leads towards Przyslop Mietusi (1193m). There is a viewpoint, which is great, but the trail also ascends slightly, which is quite tiring after a whole day hike.

There are benches on Przyslop Mietusi viewpoint - great place to take a break and admire the last beautiful landscape on our way back.

There are 2 options:

• climb down on red trail
• hike black trail which leads towards Koscieliska valley

I chose the first option because I prefer to climb down a different trail than the one I used to climb up.

Hint: there is no mountain hut on this route, so it is necessary to take plenty of water and snacks. The earlier we start the hike, the better.

6. Koscielec peak

This mountain belongs to High Tatra range and is considered to be one of the most beautiful mountains in Tatra National Park. Its characteristic pointed shape resembles Matterhorn.

I think it is one of the best hiking trails in High Tatras 💛.

However, this trail is suitable for a bit more experienced hikers, which I will explain below.

Koscielec peak reaches 2155 metres and the panorama from the top will make your hiking in Tatra mountains a truly memorable experience.

Trail description:

Trail color: yellow/green/blue, yellow, blue, blue/yellow, blue, black, blue, blue/yellow, blue

The best way to hike to Koscielec is to start in Kuznice Zakopane. Getting to the top takes about 3.5 hours. 

We start hiking on the yellow trail. The path leads us through a forest.

In 1.5 hours we get to the trail fork where we choose the blue trail. We hike on a nice trail leading us through Tatra meadows. After 20 minutes we arrive in the mountain hostel.

The advantage of this route is that we pass Murowaniec mountain hostel on our way. It is a perfect place to take a break and relax before the bigger challenge in the High Tatras.

After we pass Murowaniec hut, we hike on the blue trail in Gasienicowa valley.

Gasienicowa valley is a picturesque place in the Polish Tatra mountains. Even if we do not want to hike to Koscielec, it is definitely worth to visit Gasienicowa valley - the majestic High Tatra peaks which surround the valley are breathtaking!

After about half an hour of a hike from Murowaniec hostel, we get to Czarny Staw Gasienicowy Lake. We take a few fantastic photos and turn right from the lake - start hiking on the black trail.

The first part of the black trail which leads to Karb Pass (1853 metres) is steep, but still technically easy and even inexperienced hikers can walk there.

After we get to Karb Pass the hike gets more difficult. There are 3 places which might create some problems for travelers who have never hiked in rocky mountains. The trail leads on big rocky blocks which require some climbing. There are no chains or any other artificial facilitations on the trail.

This hike is even more difficult when it is raining. Koscielec trail is fine to hike only on sunny days when the rocks are dry and easier to hike on.

After we get to Koscielec peak our efforts are rewarded with a great view and a feeling of satisfaction that we made it to the top 😀.

We climb down on the same trail to Karb Pass. The descent is more difficult and a lot of caution is needed.

When we get to Karb Pass we have a choice: we can get back on the same route or hike towards Zielony Staw Gasienicowy Lake (blue trail).

The second option is slightly longer, but more interesting - we get to explore a new trail with a new lake on the way. Nice and pleasant option. Also, there are fewer tourists near Zielony Staw Gasienicowy.

Czarny Staw Gasienicowy tends to be very popular, especially during summertime.

Best Tatra Mountains resorts

Here's our list of the most beautiful Tatra Mountains Resorts in Poland & Slovakia.

The main tourist resort in the Polish Tatra mountains is Zakopane. It is an extremely popular tourist destination in Poland - this town has 33 thousand residents and about 3 million visitors each year!

As it can get very crowded, we usually stay in the quietest area we can find there – Toporowa Cyrhla district.

It is located at 1000 metres, away from town's hustle and bustle. Also, the landscape in Toporowa Cyrhla is definitely nicer than in Zakopane centre.

→ TOPOROWA CYRHLA APARTMENTS

We stayed at Toporowa Cyrhla Apartments and liked it a lot! The apartments are nice and clean, the kitchen is well-equipped, but most importantly, this accommodation is located close to hiking trails. If you are looking for peace and quiet, this one would be just for you.

You can book your stay here:

→ ARIES HOTEL ZAKOPANE

If you prefer to stay closer to Zakopane centre, and you are looking for a comfortable hotel with SPA facilities, then Aries Hotel Zakopane might be just for you.

The breakfast is abundant and delicious, suitable also for vegans or lactose sensitives. It is easy to find, in the vicinity of the main street, the parking facility is near to the hotel. The whole building is made of wood, very stylish.

You can check this hotel here:

→ TOP HOSTEL ZAKOPANE

If you are looking for a budget-friendly place to stay, there is an affordable hostel in Zakopane town centre - Top Hostel Zakopane. It is located on Krupowki Street, so it is perfect for travelers who want to enjoy all the Zakopane attractions. Breakfast is included.

You can check its prices here:

→ BUKOWINA TATRZANSKA

During our trips, we often visit Bukovina water park in Bukowina Tatrzanska.

We really like outdoor hot geothermal pools, slides and, of course, brilliant views of Tatras visible from the pools. Perfect option after a day spent hiking in the mountains. And the entrance fee is rather cheap compared to other water parks in Zakopane.

Bukowina Tatrzanska is a lovely and picturesque mountain village just a few kilometres from Zakopane.

Staying in Bukowina Tatrzanska village has its advantages - Zakopane gets very crowded in the summertime and Bukowina Tatrzanska is much quieter. Also, the prices are a bit lower.

If you would like to stay close to Bukovina water park, you may check available hotels in Bukowina Tatrzanska:

Zakopane transportation

Getting to Zakopane from other cities in Poland is easy. There are trains and private buses going to Zakopane all year round. One of the most popular bus shuttles is PolskiBus.

Getting around in Zakopane is a bit more tricky.

Main trailheads in Zakopane are:

• Palenica Bialczanska (Morskie Oko trailhead)
• Kuznice
• Kiry
• Siwa Polana

There are private tourist buses going to trailheads from Zakopane center. The central bus station is near the train station on Tadeusza Kościuszki 25 street.

Buses shuttle very often, so there is no strict timetable. Tickets are sold only by the bus driver, they are not available anywhere else. Buses do not have any particular numbers. Their destination is visible at the front window of the bus.

To learn more about transportation and attractions in Zakopane, check out our detailed travel guide.

Below there are links to rental cars including pictures, detailed information and reviews:

Safety tips

We love Tatra mountains and hope to visit this amazing Polish mountain range every year! 💚 Those mountains are the biggest Polish natural heritage and we are lucky to have such a remarkable region at hand.

However, before we start hiking in Tatra mountains, we need to prepare well. Safety is number one we have to remember about:

• practical info on hiking in Poland
• choose proper map - electronic devices are not always dependable, but a good old paper map is always there to show you direction
• stay safe during winter hikes - trails in Polish Tatras are open in wintertime, but rather dangerous to hike. Winter gear and skills are indispensable
• choose well your backpack - crucial element of hiking gear. If it is badly chosen, it can make our hikes miserable
• take all necessary hiking gear - we need quite a lot of stuff to hike safely, especially if we go on a whole day hike
• avoid these common mistakes in the mountains - there are some basic mistakes which can be easily avoided
• weather in Tatras is unpredictable - Tatra mountains resemble the Alps and the climate here is harsh. The weather is temperamental and tends to change rapidly. If it had been sunny on all our trips to Tatra mountains, we would have hiked twice the trails.
• rules in National Parks - Tatra mountains are protected as National Park, and there are strict rules which apply to all visitors

Day trips from Zakopane

When the weather is not good enough for hiking or you just need to take a break and relax, then there is a nice option for you - great water parks near Tatra mountains.

→ CHOCHOLOW THERMAL BATHS

The biggest and most modern water park in southern Poland, located just 20 minutes drive from Zakopane. It offers 30 indoor and outdoor pools with thermal water.

There are attractions for everyone: a fun zone with water slides, a waterfall, a rapid river, dinghy slides, air geysers, swimming pools, a relaxation zone with numerous jacuzzi baths, several different saunas, fitness centre, SPA centre, water drink bars and restaurant.

You can get a full-day access ticket here:

→ BIALKA TATRZANSKA THERMAL BATHS

Bania Thermal Park is located in the village of Bialka Tatrzanska half an hour drive from Zakopane.

Great place for tired hikers looking for relax 😉. Bania offers numerous thermal water pools with a beautiful mountain view, a few different saunas, outdoor basin with icy cold water. The waterpark is divided into the quiet and loud zone. The latter one offers waterslides, kids fun zone, outdoor pools, waterfalls, etc.

You can get a skip-the-line ticket together with hotel transfer here:

→ QUAD BIKE ADVENTURES

A great option for thrill seekers. There are many interesting terrains near Zakopane which can be explored on a quad bike. Lots of dirt tracks and forest paths make Zakopane area perfect for adventure lovers.

Here you can book this exciting outdoor adventure:

→ SLOVAK CASTLES

Slovakia is famous for its impressive medieval castles dispersed throughout the country.

Such a trip is a nice option for history and architecture aficionados. If you would like to visit Bojnice Castle along with Trencin and Beckov Castles and learn about Slovak history and culture, you may book your trip here:

Tatra mountains - Slovakia

If you are also interested in hiking trails in Slovak Tatra mountains, take a look at the below posts:

→ Štrbské pleso and Popradské pleso - easy option if the weather is not very good, or you are just too tired for a whole day hike

→ Bystrá lávka trail - exciting loop trail which starts and finishes right next to Štrbské Pleso

→ Western Tatra mountains in Slovakia - a bit lower range, but equally beautiful

→ Kriváň mount in High Tatras - Slovak national mountain

Other beautiful places in Poland

Poland not only offers diverse landscapes but also a rich history and unique cultures specific to particular regions.

Here are some beautiful places in Poland that you might consider visiting:

🏞️ 12 most beautiful nature places in Poland.

🌇 Gdańsk - beautiful seaside city, my personal favourite. Totally different from other cities in Poland.

🌇 Wrocław - located in southwest Poland on the Oder River. Famous for bridges and dwarves.

🌇 Poznań - a bit underrated among international travellers. It hides a lot of national gems.

🌇 Warsaw - the capital of Poland brimming with attractions.

🌇 Kraków & Zakopane - 5-day itinerary.

🏰 12 attractions of Poland you need to see.

⛰️ Babia Góra National Park - great option for hiking near Kraków.

⛰️ Silesian Beskidy Mountains - discover hidden gems in Poland.

⛰️ Easy hikes in High Tatras - a list of hiking trails suitable for everyone in the highest mountains in Poland.

✅ Day trips from Kraków - the amazing south of Poland.