Tatra Mountain Hiking Guide: How to Get There and Where to Go
Poland’s Tatra Mountains are some of the most spectacular in Europe, but also some of the most underrated, and often overshadowed by the Alps. The jagged peaks, and the green valleys filled with lakes are some of the many unique views this mountain range has to offer. Its well marked paths and mapped out trails make is a perfect place to hike.
However, there are many starting points for different hikes, and you can create lots of different routes based on what you want to see. These all have their own hike times, and detours take varying lengths of time.
In this guide we will be discussing the different types of transport you can take to get around the Tatra Mountains, as well as the most efficient way to get to starting points of many trails.
Poland’s Tatra Mountains are some of the most spectacular in Europe, but also some of the most underrated, and often overshadowed by the Alps. The jagged peaks, and the green valleys filled with lakes are some of the many unique views this mountain range has to offer. Its well marked paths and mapped out trails make is a perfect place to hike.
However, there are many starting points for different hikes, and you can create lots of different routes based on what you want to see. These all have their own hike times, and detours take varying lengths of time.
In this guide we will be discussing the different types of transport you can take to get around the Tatra Mountains, as well as the most efficient way to get to starting points of many trails.
1. Getting to Zakopane
This first step applies to anyone who is arriving from Kraków, or is just visiting the Tatras as a day trip, like I did. There are several ways to get to Zakopane, by car being the fastest way, but not by much. It is also very convenient to get there by coach, or by train. The trains are a great way of getting to Zakopane, leaving from the Kraków main station, and there are express services (Two stops total) about twice a day. Buses leave Kraków from a dedicated central bus station, and they usually make a few stops on the way. The bus and train both stop at Zakopane main station, a short walk from the Zakopane main street.
This first step applies to anyone who is arriving from Kraków, or is just visiting the Tatras as a day trip, like I did. There are several ways to get to Zakopane, by car being the fastest way, but not by much. It is also very convenient to get there by coach, or by train. The trains are a great way of getting to Zakopane, leaving from the Kraków main station, and there are express services (Two stops total) about twice a day. Buses leave Kraków from a dedicated central bus station, and they usually make a few stops on the way. The bus and train both stop at Zakopane main station, a short walk from the Zakopane main street.
2. How to Get to the Starting Points of Trails
After arriving at Zakopane, it is still a short ride away from the actual starting point of many trails. Kuźnice, Kiry, Strążyska Valley, and many other popular starting points are all serviced regularly by private shuttle buses, as well as some public buses. Both the private and public buses have several stops where you can get on and off, with the terminating stop often being the main station. The buses take both cash and card, as is standard for most transport nowadays, and services run late into the evening, but it is worth checking with the driver personally. Public buses are often the cheapest option, and are the best option if you want to visit the main town afterwards, as the public buses are more of a shuttle straight to the main station.
After arriving at Zakopane, it is still a short ride away from the actual starting point of many trails. Kuźnice, Kiry, Strążyska Valley, and many other popular starting points are all serviced regularly by private shuttle buses, as well as some public buses. Both the private and public buses have several stops where you can get on and off, with the terminating stop often being the main station. The buses take both cash and card, as is standard for most transport nowadays, and services run late into the evening, but it is worth checking with the driver personally. Public buses are often the cheapest option, and are the best option if you want to visit the main town afterwards, as the public buses are more of a shuttle straight to the main station.
3. Kasprowy Wierch is the Best Mountain for Views
Kasprowy Wierch is the tallest, most accessible mountain that lies in the Tatra National Park. You can take a path from Kuźnice up to the summit in about 3.5 hours, or take a cable car straight to the top for much less time. Climbing to the top with one’s own strength makes the experience more rewarding, but for the less able the cable car is a fantastic way of enjoying the view from the top. From the summit, you can go several ways, you don’t have to necessarily take the same path down as you did up. There are also detours going towards the Valley of the Five Lakes, as well as other summits.
One piece of advice is to be prepared for the weather, as the temperature on the summit is much, much lower than at ground level. There can also be a differing weather, for example at ground level there may be no rain, but as the top it could be spitting. Also, be mindful of when you go, if the view is the main reason for going, as on a cloudy day you will not be able to see the sprawling landscape everyone comes up there for.
Kasprowy Wierch is the tallest, most accessible mountain that lies in the Tatra National Park. You can take a path from Kuźnice up to the summit in about 3.5 hours, or take a cable car straight to the top for much less time. Climbing to the top with one’s own strength makes the experience more rewarding, but for the less able the cable car is a fantastic way of enjoying the view from the top. From the summit, you can go several ways, you don’t have to necessarily take the same path down as you did up. There are also detours going towards the Valley of the Five Lakes, as well as other summits.
One piece of advice is to be prepared for the weather, as the temperature on the summit is much, much lower than at ground level. There can also be a differing weather, for example at ground level there may be no rain, but as the top it could be spitting. Also, be mindful of when you go, if the view is the main reason for going, as on a cloudy day you will not be able to see the sprawling landscape everyone comes up there for.
4. The Different Services the Park Offers
For anyone who starts feeling a bit hungry as you climb up Kasprowy Wierch, you’re in luck. At the top of the mountain, joined to the cable car end point, is a small restaurant where you can grab a bite and warm up before heading off again. The restaurant has large windows so you don’t miss out on the view. Toilets are also available for use.
As well as this, scattered around the entire park are little lodges, which serve food, as well as providing a place to stay; they act as mini hotels for hikers looking to travel further into the National Park, as well as refuelling stops for day hikers. These lodges are thankfully at popular crossroads between many paths, so it should not be difficult to come across one while hiking.
For anyone who starts feeling a bit hungry as you climb up Kasprowy Wierch, you’re in luck. At the top of the mountain, joined to the cable car end point, is a small restaurant where you can grab a bite and warm up before heading off again. The restaurant has large windows so you don’t miss out on the view. Toilets are also available for use.
As well as this, scattered around the entire park are little lodges, which serve food, as well as providing a place to stay; they act as mini hotels for hikers looking to travel further into the National Park, as well as refuelling stops for day hikers. These lodges are thankfully at popular crossroads between many paths, so it should not be difficult to come across one while hiking.
Detours from Kasprowy Wierch
Detour No 1: Dolina Pięciu Stawów/ The Valley of the Five Lakes
The Valley of the Five Lakes is among one of the most famous attractions in the Tatra Park, and as its name suggests, its a series of lakes suspended between the mountains around them. The detour from Kasprowy is around 5 hours of extra walking to get there, but the views are some of the best in the whole National Park. If you plan to stay at the park a while longer, there is a small mountain hut that provides lodging as well as food. Near the lakes is also the tallest waterfall in Poland, the Wielka Siklawa, with water falling about 70m into the valleys below.
The Valley of the Five Lakes is among one of the most famous attractions in the Tatra Park, and as its name suggests, its a series of lakes suspended between the mountains around them. The detour from Kasprowy is around 5 hours of extra walking to get there, but the views are some of the best in the whole National Park. If you plan to stay at the park a while longer, there is a small mountain hut that provides lodging as well as food. Near the lakes is also the tallest waterfall in Poland, the Wielka Siklawa, with water falling about 70m into the valleys below.
Detour No 2: Świnica Peak Ascent
For the thrill seekers out there, or people seeking a more technical climb after ascending Kasprowy, ascending the Świnice mountain is a great detour. Only 2 hours away from Kasprowy, it offers a nice bit of scrambling, as well as chains on the way up to the steep peak. However, this ascent must only be attempted with proper hiking shoes, gloves and other equipment as it is quite a technical climb. It is inadvisable to climb the mountain in the Winter, as the rocks can get slippery from the snow and ice. This is a beautiful but steep mountain, but once conquered it is a very rewarding experience.
For the thrill seekers out there, or people seeking a more technical climb after ascending Kasprowy, ascending the Świnice mountain is a great detour. Only 2 hours away from Kasprowy, it offers a nice bit of scrambling, as well as chains on the way up to the steep peak. However, this ascent must only be attempted with proper hiking shoes, gloves and other equipment as it is quite a technical climb. It is inadvisable to climb the mountain in the Winter, as the rocks can get slippery from the snow and ice. This is a beautiful but steep mountain, but once conquered it is a very rewarding experience.
Detour No 3: Hala Gąsienicowa
The Hala Gąsienicowa is one of the most beautiful trails in the entire park, especially in the Summer. It is also the best way to descend from Kasprowy Wierch after climbing up the other side or taking the cable car. The trail is also not as steep as some of the others, for most of the way the incline is very manageable. Nearby there is also the Czarny Staw, the Black Lake, a glacial lake which also offers its own spectacular views. Very conveniently, there is a crossroad between many paths along the trail, and situated on the crossroad is another lodge with accommodation and food. From here it is very easy to get to Kuźnice, as well as other hiking starting points.
The Hala Gąsienicowa is one of the most beautiful trails in the entire park, especially in the Summer. It is also the best way to descend from Kasprowy Wierch after climbing up the other side or taking the cable car. The trail is also not as steep as some of the others, for most of the way the incline is very manageable. Nearby there is also the Czarny Staw, the Black Lake, a glacial lake which also offers its own spectacular views. Very conveniently, there is a crossroad between many paths along the trail, and situated on the crossroad is another lodge with accommodation and food. From here it is very easy to get to Kuźnice, as well as other hiking starting points.
Detour No 4: The Legendary Giewont
Giewont, known for being the most popular mountain to climb in Poland, is situated around 2.5 – 3.5 hours away from Kasprowy. The 15m cross at the very top, placed in 1901, is a defining feature of this mountain. Further up the mountain, chains and one-way systems become a common sight. One thing to watch out for is the Summer high season queues to get to the very top. Many hikers start at around 5 am to beat the crowds.
Giewont, known for being the most popular mountain to climb in Poland, is situated around 2.5 – 3.5 hours away from Kasprowy. The 15m cross at the very top, placed in 1901, is a defining feature of this mountain. Further up the mountain, chains and one-way systems become a common sight. One thing to watch out for is the Summer high season queues to get to the very top. Many hikers start at around 5 am to beat the crowds.
Final Thoughts
A trip to the Tatra National Park, whether its a day trip, or a multi day stay, offers so many different types of landscapes to see, summits to scale, and places to stay. This flexibility and freedom of choice is what makes this place on of the best to go to for a relaxed hiking experience. However the abundance of choices can sometimes make it hard to figure out where to plan to go to next, as well as the best routes to take. I hope this article provided beginner hikes of the Taras with a guide on how to begin their adventure in this magnificent park, and informed then of just how creative their hike trails can be.
A trip to the Tatra National Park, whether its a day trip, or a multi day stay, offers so many different types of landscapes to see, summits to scale, and places to stay. This flexibility and freedom of choice is what makes this place on of the best to go to for a relaxed hiking experience. However the abundance of choices can sometimes make it hard to figure out where to plan to go to next, as well as the best routes to take. I hope this article provided beginner hikes of the Taras with a guide on how to begin their adventure in this magnificent park, and informed then of just how creative their hike trails can be.