How to Spend 2 days in the Tatra Mountains & Zakopane
Zakopane is a resort town in the southern part of Poland, close to the Slovakian border.
Known as the Winter capital of the country, it’s famous for being the gateway to the Tatra Mountains, the unique Highland culture, exceptional architecture and traditional cuisine. Being so close to the border of the national park, Zakopane is the perfect base to explore the surrounding areas.
With snow-capped peaks, waterfalls, forests, meadow-filled valleys and beautiful lakes, the Tatra National Park is an outdoor wonderland. This mountain range forms a natural border between the countries of Poland and Slovakia and provides a stunning backdrop for some pretty incredible hikes.
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When we were initially invited to Zakopane and the Tatra National Park by the Polish Tourism Board we had no idea Poland had such a vast stretch of mountain range. Looking similar to the famous Alps and the Dolomites, we were excited to visit this wonderful part of the world. Known for the winter activities, we were excited to visit in the summertime for a more off-the-beaten-track feel. The destination seemed untouched by international tourists, with only Polish travellers visiting for their holidays.
So this article is a helpful guide for discovering this scenic part of Poland in 2 days.
DAY 1
Morning: Morskie Oko & Black Pond hike
Morskie Oko is a beautiful postglacial lake surrounded by a panoramic view of the Tatra Mountains.
When you reach the lake you have the Morskie Oko mountain hut (at 1406m high). This is one of the oldest shelters in the Tatra Mountains and looks right out onto the lake. The lake has a circular, rocky walk so you can weave your way through the trees and around the water, admiring the reflections.
Once halfway around Morskie Oko, you can take the steep hike to Czarny Staw pod Rysami (The Black Pond under Rysy). The pond gets its name for its dark blue appearance due to the shade from the mountains above. Here you have breathtaking views overlooking Morskie Oko as a whole. From the height of 1583 metres, you can see the lake nestled between the mountains and the reflections in the water.
Czarny Staw pod Rysami is the deepest lake in the Tatra Mountains, reaching 76 metres. You can take multiple hikes from the lake to extend your trip. One is to the highest peak, Rysy which towers above the lake. This peak is the highest in the country at 2499 metres.
Start: Trail entrance at Palenica Białczańska (15 miles / 25 km from Zakopane). There is a car park for parking and this is also where the shuttle buses drop you
Walk to Morskie Oko: 10 miles (16.2km)
Walk to Morskie Oko & Circling the Lake: 11.6 miles (18.7km)
Walk to Morskie Oko & Circling the Lake & Czarny Staw pod Rysami: 12.2 miles (19.7km)
Difficulty: The hike to Morskie Oko lake is a convenient asphalt road that gradually winds up hill. There are various cut ups marked for Morskie Oko into the forest. These are much steeper but quicker and filled with wild flowers. The walk around the lake is mainly flat with some rocky, icey parts. The walk to Czarny Staw pod Rysami is by far the steepest part of the hike but doesn’t take long to reach
The hike to the lake is long and known as one of the most beautiful in the Tatras so we’d recommend leaving as early as you can to avoid the crowds
After the hike, take a lunch break at Roztoka Valley Shelter. The pathway to the shelter is by Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza falls. These cascade from the Roztoka Valley above and are worth a visit.
Late Afternoon: Rusinowa Meadow
The Rusinowa Meadow is one of the most scenic landscapes in the area. The route runs through a lush green forest and the picturesque Wiktorówki. From the meadow, you can take a seat and view the peaks, not just in Poland but also in Slovakia.
The journey doesn’t require a long hike to reach the views so it’s an easy addition after visiting Morskie Oko.
It’s here in the meadow that you can try the traditional Oscypek. This type of smoked cheese is made from salted sheep’s milk exclusively in the Tatra Mountains. We visited one of the traditional huts and met some of the ladies that make this golden-hued, spindle-shaped cheese.
Evening: Chochołowskie Thermal Baths
For sunset relax at the famous Chochołowskie Thermal Baths. After some intense sightseeing, this impressive spa is the perfect way to wind down and regenerate your sore muscles from the day!
The water is pumped deep from underground, meaning it’s rich in nutrients and minerals. The main attractions are the indoor and outdoor pool along with the saunas, steam rooms and salt chamber.
The baths also have a cafe, bar and restaurant.
DAY 2
Morning: The Black Pond
The hike to the Czarny Staw Gasienicowy or “The Black Pond” is a stunning one, not just for the final destination but also for the journey along the way. With wooden huts, tall forests, and views over to mountains as far as the Czech Republic, it's a wonderful hike.
Along the hike, you can take a break at the Murowaniec mountain hut, just past the stunning Hala Gąsienicowa Valley. The valley is filled with wildflowers surrounded by snowy mountain tops.
When you arrive at the Black Pond you sit below peaks over 2000 metres above sea level. The pond is the fifth largest pond in the mountains and reaches a depth of over 50 meters!
Start: Kuźnice, accessible by regular shuttle buses from Zakopane
Difficulty: Intermediate for the first half as it’s all uphill, then it’s relatively easy and flat across the mountain ridge to the lake
Length: 5-6 hours roundtrip
From the Black Pond, there are multiple hikes you can take to extend your trip. As we were only here for 2 days we decided to just do the hike in the morning.
Afternoon: Gubalowka Railway
In the afternoon give your legs a well-needed break and head up the mountain via the Gubałówka funicular railway. The journey takes less than 4 minutes, although you can walk up the mountain but takes just over an hour.
Being over 1120 metres high, the vista from the top of the mountain was wonderful. Being able to see the mountain range stretch the length of the skyline, towering above the town of Zakopane really put everything into perspective.
Because of the ease of the railway, this viewpoint and tourist attraction was definitely the most crowded from our visit but still worth it
There are restaurants at the top of the mountain or you can visit the local market. The market is right at the foot of the Gubalowka hill and the beginning of the Krupówki Promenade. Here you’ll find the local sheep cheese Oscypek, handmade souvenirs and highlander handicrafts. We ate at Restauracja Widokówka, at the top of the mountain, which gave us a lovely break from the crowds and overlooked the view.
Evening: Zakopane town & Krupowski Street
When visiting Zakopane you can’t miss the vibrant Krupowski street. This street is the main pedestrian zone of Zakopane, lined with restaurants, cafes and shops. Along with street performers, portrait artists and small food stalls selling traditional food.
We found our time in the mountains during the day so peaceful so it was a great contrast to visit Krupowski Street and be surrounded by the hustle and bustle of Polish tourists, eating and drinking and enjoying Zakopane.
When strolling through Zakopane’s photogenic streets, you’ll notice the unique style of architecture that the area is known for. These wooden buildings are icons of the Zakopane style which was hugely influenced by the Highlander traditional huts you see in the mountains.
How to get to Zakopane from Krakow
The closest city to Zakopane is Krakow. Being just over 60 miles (100 kilometres) away, Zakopane makes a great addition to anyone on a city break or locals who want a break from the city life.
Whether you get the bus, hire a car or take the train, the journeys all roughly take the same amount of time. Between 2-2.5 hours.
Car & Bus
Public transport is very affordable for this journey, especially if booked in advance. Buses run regularly from Kraków MDA (Bus Station) which is on the right side of the Kraków Glowny Train Station. Bus tickets should cost between 17PLN – 24PLN (£3.20 – £4.50) depending on the company and time you’re travelling. You can book in advance or on the day.
If you’re heading to Zakopane straight from the Krakow airport (John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport), it also takes roughly 2 hours to drive.
Train
From the main train station (Kraków Glowny) which is in the centre of the city, you can catch a train to Zakopane which takes around 2.5 hours. This journey costs around 25PLN (£4.60). You can purchase tickets either from a machine inside the station, the ticket office in Glowny station or book online in advance.
Personal guide
During our trip, we had a personal guide, named Marcin. Marcin is a member of the Tatra Mountains Team (TOPR) and provides guided hiking tours and mountaineering along tourist trails in the Tatra mountains. Along with hiking in the mountains, he does guided tours of Zakopane and the surrounding areas.
Our guide picked us up from the city centre of Krakow and took us on all the hikes we did. We learnt so much from Marcin, practical tips for hiking, the history behind Zakopane and the Highlander culture. It really made our trip, to spend so much time with a local who was born and raised in this environment.
Where we stayed
We stayed at the Willa Konstantynówka in Zakopane. The rustic villa was the perfect resting place after our tiring days hiking. Only a short walk from the popular Krupowski street, supermarkets and bus transfers to the mountains.
➜ Booking.com Links: Willa Konstantynówka & other hotels in Zakopane
Practical info about the Tatra National park
Hike only on the marked trails and on the right-hand side
It’s forbidden to camp in the park. There are eight mountain huts offering accommodation
There are no rubbish bins along the trails so take your rubbish home with you
All trails are closed from dusk till dawn
You can download a free rescue app on your phone in case of emergencies
The weather is unpredictable. It might be very hot but if you hike high enough there may be ice and snow. So always be prepared. Pack suncream, and waterproofs and wear practical footwear.
PIN FOR LATER
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit the Tatra mountains and Zakopane! If you have any suggestions or have any questions please let us know in the comments below!
Our trip to Poland was in partnership with the Poland Tourism Board, where we went on assignment to experience the outdoor adventures the area has to offer!
