Tatra Dreams - Walking and Hiking

There is plenty of walking both inside and outside the National Park. There is a booklet of walks in the apartment which shows all the main hiking trails, along with typical times (longer for uphill than downhill!!).

Within the park the trails are well marked and easy to follow, with route markers which show the approximate times of the walks.

You will have to buy a National Park entry ticket (4 zl = about 60p for adults; 2 zl for children and youths) each time you enter the Park. The nearest entrance points are at Gronic (right at the main road, left down to the next main road, then right and you will see the entrance in a layby on your left) and at Kuznice (beyond the ski jump slopes on the other side of Zakopane).

Organised groups are obliged to hire a qualified Tatra guide while entering the Tatra National Park and hikes to peaks with no marked trails can only be taken with these specifically qualified guides.

In case of accidents, you should call for help with the international signal - light signal or voice signal six times a minute. The Voluntary Mountain Rescue Service has helicopters and other rescue equipment at their disposal.

Outside the Park, the best walks are in the Koscielisko valley. Try taking the cable car to the top of Gubalowka and walking back to the apartment.

The Tatra Mountains

The Tatra mountains form the border between Poland and Slovakia The highest peaks in the Tatra Mountains are the 2655m (8711ft) Gerlachovsky Stit in Slovakia and the 2499m (8198ft) Rysy peak in Poland.

The range is 53 km long and takes up 785 sq km, the bulk on the Slovak territory.

Three distinct parts make up the Tatra Mountains: the High Tatras, the Western Tatras and the Bielskie Tatras. The former, with their dramatic vistas, steep peaks, sharp rocks, deep glens, and crystal lakes are the most attractive. At the same time the Western Tatras’ lower slopes clad in pine forests offer wider horizons, diverse wildlife, and somewhat less demanding tracks.

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The Tatras "Must Visits"

The Morskie Oko ("Sea Eye") lake with its more elevated twin, the Czarny Staw lake: Great views, hiking and climbing. This glacial lake is a popular destination in the summer with many people walking around the lake. It's much more fun and less crowded in the winter. You can either drive to within about 6km of it, then walk 6 km uphill or ride in a horse and cart, driven by the Gorale (local Mountain people) or in winter, in snow, a horse driven sleigh ride. The cost is from 35 zloty.
The Kasprowy peak (1985m): Take the cable railway from Kuznice into the heart of the Tatras. A ski area in winter, a walkers paradise in summer.
The Koscielisko Valley: For great views over the Tatras, easy hiking and wildlife. Just walk from the apartment up Blachowka!
The Rysy peak: The highest mountain in Poland with views over a hundred peaks and twelve major lakes. This is the most visited peak in all the Tatras.
The Orla Perc ("Eagle Ridge") trail: A quite demanding ridge with easy climbing.
The Chocholowska Valley: For easy hiking and wildlife.
The Regle dales: Easy walking and accessibility from the centre of Zakopane town.

Wildlife in the Tatra Mountains

Besides species common in Poland, such as deer, fox and badger, the Tatras boast rare animals such as lynx, brown bear, eagle, heath-cock, alpine chamois and marmot.