Highlights:

  • 5 days of challenging walking in the Tatra Mountains; the highest range of the Carpathians with alpine scenery
  • Climbing Rysy – the highest peak in Poland
  • 5 nights in the mountain shelters; enjoying the atmosphere of the mountains
  • Picturesque folk town of Zakopane, the most popular polish mountain resort
  • A day in Krakow – one of the most beautiful city in Europe

Introduction:

The massif of the Carpathians is a long crescent which runs from the Czech Republic to Romania through Slovakia, Poland and Ukraine. This massif runs through 450km in the south of Poland. The best known range, the most “Alpine” but also the most popular among tourists, is the chain of the Tatra Mountains with the famous resort in Zakopane. However, there are also Polish ranges of medium altitude there, which are perhaps less known, but at the same time due to the fact that they are not so often visited by tourists, best preserved. Among them we may name: the Beskidy, the Gorce, the Pieniny or the Bieszczady Mountains (with unpronounceable names!) which are still unknown in Europe. Our trip takes place in the Tatra Mountains.
The High Tatras are part of the Carpathian mountain range, lying along the Slovakian and Polish frontier. Walking from west to east we can see how the landscape is changing. We start in Western Tatras, where the slopes are gentle, built mostly from limestone and with many caves inside. The Eastern Tatras are called High Tatras, there we can admire typical alpine scenery. This trek includes 5 day walking through moderate to difficult terrain, where you will need to carry the full backpack. We usually walk between 7-8 hours a day, with a picnic lunch taken on the way. The trails are almost always well marked but are often rough and stony underfoot. The daywalks involve steady ascents and descents (maximum 1000 metres). There are steep, long drops on sections of this trip, as well as paths that traverse along ridgelines, therefore it is not recommended for clients who suffer from vertigo.

Day by day:

D1: Zakopane
Start at Krakow Airport, where we will be met on arrival by our leader. Transfer to the folk town of Zakopane for a night. Zakopane is a little bit like a Polish Chamonix; resort very dynamic all over the year, with a splendid mountain frame and undeniable charm of wooden architecture. We can have a walk round the town: wooden church, promenade with the stalls and rambling vendors. Supper will be in a restaurant typical for Zakopane, with highland songs. Night in a wooden pension, architecture typicall for the region

 

D2: Start walking in West Tatras
Day for exploring Koscieliska Valley and its surrounding. It is the most beautiful valley in polish Tatras, with many limestone gorges and caves, and marvellous peaks around. Night in Ornak refuge

 

D3: Long day through the peaks of West Tatras
Today we cross the beautiful border ridge of the West Tatras. Strong point of the excursions are the Red Peaks Massif. Overnight in a mountain hotel in Kalatowki

 

D4: To Gasienicowa Valley
Our second big day as we head back up to the main ridge above our hostel. We follow the
main trail alongside a chair lift, zig zagging in places to the summit of Mt. Kasprowy
(1955m). It is located at the boundary of the West and High Tatras. We can compare here, how different is the landscape of both parts. Descending to the Gasienicowa Valley for a night.

 

D5: High Tatras
First, we cross the Gasienicowa Valley, which is full of postglacial lakes, sharp ridges and steamy peaks around. We climb steadily past Czarny Staw (tarn) and away from vegetation to the rocky heights of the High Tatras. We cross the ‘Eagles perch’ (2159m) around lunchtime before descending back into the ‘Valley of the five Polish lakes’ with a variety of mountain flowers and grasses, to Roztoki.

 

D6: Rysy – the highest peak of Poland
Our final ascent and hardest day! On leaving Roztoki trek via Morskie Oko, and head for the peak of Mt. Rysy (2499m) on the Polish/Slovakian border. This is a very long day with a steep climb (ascending over 1000m), walking and scrambling over difficult terrain, but the effort is definitely worth it. On a clear day the views from the summit of Rysy are simply stunning. We return along the same trail.

 

D7: Return to Krakow
Our last day’s walking as we descend down the Dolina Rybiego Potoku (valley) to the road head and our waiting bus. Transfer to the historic city of Krakow, arriving mid afternoon. The rest of the day is free to explore the delights of this beautiful city. Perhaps visiting the Old Market square, Wawel Castle or Mariacki church.

 

D8: End of a trip