Explore the most popular Parks in Lesser Poland (Malopolskie) with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
I took red up and green down, hard to say what is best. Going up kicked my ass in terms of endurance but isn’t technically difficult. There is a serious lack of mountainous terrain here, its basically just a long uphill walk so if you’re looking for an actual challenge and some scrambling don’t do this trek. The pine forest on the way down was a pleasant surprise as it follows the river all the way down, but as soon as you get back to the main track there is floods of people. Worth doing once for the pine forest and views of zakopane on the red trail but a little disappointed.
easy at the summit, but nice views
Gorgeous hike and just the right amount of intensity (steepness) for a nice, but sporty day trip. The scariness of the last ten or twenty meters to the summit (plus the descent) was unexpected as we had to climb using chains with a decent drop on the other side, but everything went fine in the end.
rando magnifique même si le mont Giewont était interdit d'accés au sommet. Ceci est dû à la mort accidentelle en juillet de 5 randonneurs touchés par la foudre. la randonnée est très raide et difficile pour les novices. Le spectacle au sommet est magnifique. j'ai fait une variante avec un autre sommet qui atteint 2000 mètres d'altitude. j'ai mis 6 heures au total avec pause repas. A l'arrivée on trouve un taxi très facilement pour retourner au point de départ
Beautiful trail! But also very hard! We are fit people and even we were totally done at the end of the day. The views and beautiful nature you get to see along the trail and from the top totally pay for that though! Make sure your hiking shoes have enough cushion. 4 out 5 stars purely because the whole entire trail from bottom to top is covered in rocks which makes it very hard wears on your knees and back especially while going down!
Challenging but enjoyable hike in the Polish Tatra mountains featuring a river and a historical feature - Part of this trail was Pope John Paul's favorite trail as a young man and there are some monuments to him along the way. Wild huckleberries and raspberries abound and are delicious. Expect Alpine conditions despite the realtively low elevations - The Tatra mountains are the lowest elevation Alpine mountains on earth. The valley is busy in the summer, but this route is a less so. You have the option to loop over to Wołowiec, the highest local peak if you really want a challenge, but this loop is a very good day. Poles are suggested for the descent, which has very steep sections.
Among the easiest of the summits in the Polish Tatra mountains near Dolina Chochołowska. This trail has a nice stream and great views on the way up. Wild huckleberries and raspberries abound and are delicious. Expect Alpine conditions despite the relatively low elevations - The Tatra mountains are the lowest elevation Alpine mountains on earth. The valley is busy in the summer, and this route has a lot of visitors. Mush of the trail on the ridge-line lines up with the Polish/Slovakian border, but don't worry, there is no passport control! The views at the summit are splendid. Expect strong winds!
difficult, but worth it
I came from the Kuznice side, and then after summiting Giewont, went along the ridge to Kasprowy Wierch. Fairly easy hiking in the beginning and middle. It’s a nice rock path all the way up, and then the last kilometer is pretty steep. The view at the top gives you a gorgeous look at Zakopane on the left, which you don’t see at all along the hike I did, as well as the high mountains of the park to your right.
I hiked this trail in mid July, and there were SO MANY PEOPLE on it! Regardless, it was absolutely stunning. At that time of year, it is accessible to anyone of any skill level. I will note, however, that the last mile or so up to the peak is quite tricky to navigate. For that portion, I would advise good shoes and physical fitness!
Good trail for beginners with amazing scenic view. You’ll definitively have your wow moments. Best approach is to follow the green stripe/ black stripe mark towards Wielki Staw. Once there you can eat/drink at the mountain cabin. Cash only. Afterwards, you can easily take the blue stripe mark towards the Morskie Oko. Descend on red stripe. All this can take around 8 hours. Overcrowded and this can be a bit tiring for those used with wild, remote hiking trails. A lot of people in sandals, white snickers, slippers!!! What amazed me was to see parents and their 5-7 years old kids all wearing snickers?!! Dressed like going to the mall. Go there very early in the morning otherwise you won’t find a parking place. At Morskie Oko I saw people washing their feet in the lake while 10 meters away others were drinking from it thinking it is clean, untouched mountain water. Don’t expect any wild life, the route is just too overwhelmed by tourist in order for any animals to remain in its vicinity. Those with more hiking experience can go straight for Rysy peak. Challenging but rewarding hike. Amazing view towards SK and PL.
amazing and very challenging trail. Red line up, blue line down as suggested in previous reviews. the only addition I would make is the overall timing. it's more like 4-5 hours with breaks from start to finish. I'll add a picture of the local map to help future hikers.
Stunning , one of the best hikes I've ever been on. Not for newbie hikers.
Awesome trail! The beginning starts on a simple path heavily trafficked until you reach the turn off. Along the way you will find the entrance to cave for a small fee. The cave is cool, but requires some crouching or crawling and may be a bit flooded, prepare for wet shoes. At the exit of the cave, you can climb over the stairs to the right to a little area with a nice veiw. The stairs lead to a river, more simple path. We took an alternate route; if you continue straight to the middle path instead of turning left to loop back towards the beginning. Take this path through a wooded trail, it will dead end at a pond with a deck. The veiw and overall atmosphere here is absolutely pristine. The pond is surrounded by woods and overlooks the mountain peaks. So peaceful.
Absolutely love this trail! Disclaimer, do not attempt this trail if you aren’t looking for a good workout. Most of it is quite steep and very rocky. This was my favorite trail in tatra. Breathtaking views of the mountains and forestry. The hike begins at a trail through the woods made of large rocks as steps alongside a stream. At the end of the woods, the trail opens up to an incredible view all along the remaining path to the summit, with offtrail opportunities for rock climbing. (This probably isn’t safe but we did it anyway). Saw some goats, small wildflowers, and a bit of snow at the top. On the other side, lovely views on the rocky path back down into the valley. It rained on our way down, and the rocks became very slippery. Would recommend climbing stick for the descent. Overall, a good workout and breathtaking views.
Amazing views, not very challenging. If you choose to take the path beside the big waterfall, be prepared for some steep snow (even in early June) to get over to the top. It looks more scary than it actually is, well worth it though, you’ll come out beside the great polish lake and can go left to reach the Dolina Piecu Stawow main point. Waterproof hiking boots are essential, there are many crossings covered with shallow running water. An absolute must see!
This trail is a 15' wide paved road, so more of a walk than a hike. There is light vehicular traffic as well as the horse carriages that take a lot of people up and down the road. Morskie Oko is one of the most beautiful places I have seen, but it would have been much more rewarding if one didn't have to walk the road the whole way.
One of the most beautiful places I’ve seen! Love it! Recommended in any weather conditions as it’s always pretty and not too difficult to get to! If you have time and weather let’s you, try to see places around! There is so many great peaks you can get to and enjoy the view!!!
Joel X. on Chuda Przelaczka Loop
My favorite hike I’ve ever been on. I live in Colorado, USA so trust me it’s saying something. The terrain is extremely unforgivable. Rocks the whole way but you’re constantly rewarded with amazing views each step of the way. It’s just pristine. I found myself falling because I couldn’t stop staring all around me. If you’re an intermediate hiker with the right gear you have to take this peak on. I didn’t see the name that All Trails names this hike at all so you just have to look for the Czerwone Wierchy (Ciemniak) trail head signs. You can either start on the red trail and come down the green or vice versa. I’d say if you want to knock out the hardest part first start with the red. Very steep and rocks rocks rocks. If it’s rainy it will slow you down. I started with the green and came back down red and would probably do that again. Weather changed prettt quickly at the peak and I found myself in a cloud with some rain. There wasn’t crazy wind so it was manageable but it was a little scary rolling in. Enjoy.
