High Tatras

Group gathering in Zakopane (Poland). This is a resort town at the very foot of the High Tatras. We will book a hostel here (or even an entire estate) in advance, where we will meet. The time of arrival does not matter - arrive either in the morning or at midnight. For information on how to get to Zakopane, read the section Transport.

Today we have our first radial. Things stay at the hostel, we take with us only a windbreaker (in caves +5), a flashlight (required), a lunch snack and money. But you won't need trekking poles today. And in general, you need to try to limit yourself to a minimum of things, because... The caves are very crowded. We take a minibus to the village of Kira (30 minutes), pay for the entrance to the Tatra National Park and go into the Koscieliska valley.

In the Koscieliska Valley we visit 3 caves - Mrozna (equipped, paid), Raptawicka and Mylna (free, flashlight required). The caves are quite cool (+5) so you need to take a windbreaker with you. We have lunch at the Ornak shelter (altitude 1108 m) where there is free boiling water (tea, noodles, etc.). After lunch, if you have any strength left, you can go to Lake Smrecinski (plus 1 hour) or immediately turn back to the bus.

On the way back we look at the shady gorge of Wonwuz Krakow - a deep canyon with vertical walls and a special atmosphere of the “Lost World”. We return to Zakopane.

Travel time: 8 hours. Distance: 14 km. Elevation gain: 500 m.

Early rise, breakfast, set out on the route (things remain in Zakopane). We get to the entrance to the reserve on foot (5 zlotys), along the Bialego valley we climb to Czerwona Przelecz (Red Pass, 1301m). There is an excellent viewpoint nearby - the Chamois rock (1377m). Having visited it, we continue our way to Strazhiskaya Polyana, from which we will make a foray to the Siklavitsa waterfall. Then about 1 hour of climbing and we are at the pass to Grzybowca (1311 m). Then we go on a traverse, gradually going around Mount Giewont, and in the end, after a small extreme fragment with chains, we go to the peak of Giewont (1894 m) decorated with a huge cross.

We have lunch on the saddle near Giewont and begin our descent in an easterly direction (we climbed from the West). An hour and a half later we arrive at the shelter on Kondratova Polyana. We get boiling water and drink tea. Then we continue to drop altitude. On the way we pass the Albertine monastery. As a result, we find ourselves at a bus stop, 10 minutes drive and we are in Zakopane. Tomorrow we are leaving this town and moving to a remote shelter, so today we need to replenish food supplies and wash and do laundry.

Travel time: 10 hours. Distance: 16 km. Elevation gain: 1000 m.

We wake up early again so that at 7:30 we are already standing at the cable car station (with backpacks and all our belongings). The cable car for 50 zlotys will take us to Mount Kasprowy Wierch (1987 m). In winter, this is a ski Mecca, so at the top, in addition to the observation deck, there is a restaurant and souvenir shops. But that's not what we came here for. We set out on a route along the path along the Polish-Slovak border. She walks along the spectacular ridge of the mountain, sometimes climbing up, sometimes falling down. Having reached the Svinitsky pass (2051 m), we throw off our backpacks and go on a radial path to the top of Mount Svinnitsa (2301 m). There will be some chains and a stunning panorama of the upper reaches of the Five Staves valley. We return to our backpacks and have lunch.

We turn left and descend from the ridge into a valley with beautiful mountain lakes (Green, Krasnoe, Dlinnoe and others). Unfortunately, swimming here is prohibited, but you can take a break on the shore. We meander among the lakes and climb to the Karb pass (1853 m), from which there is an excellent view of both the already familiar lakes and the new one - the huge Black Lake. We go down past the Black Lake to the Murovanets shelter, where we will spend the next 2 nights. An overnight stay here costs about 40 zlotys. We will have our own food, but you can also order from a local kitchen (on average 25-30 zlotys per dinner).

Travel time: 6 hours. Distance: 7 km. Elevation gain: 400 m.

Today is the most difficult and most action-packed day of our hike in the Polish High Tatras. We are going to storm the Orla Perts trail (Way of the Eagle). She walks along a narrow rock ridge, in places equipped with steel chains and brackets for safety. Be sure to bring work gloves (for working with chains) and a reserve of courage. To complete the route normally, you need to make the most of the stable morning weather. At 7 am we should already be on the trail. We quickly run past yesterday's Black Lake, climb the ridge in the area of ​​the Zavrat pass (2158 m) and enter the Eagle trail.

At the beginning of the season (June), the couloir along which we will go to the Zavrat pass is often clogged with snow. In this case, you will need crampons and an ice ax. You don’t have to take them with you, but rent them at the Murovanets shelter.

Behind the pass the Orla Perc trail begins and our speed of movement drops sharply. You can walk 1 kilometer here for an hour or two. Firstly, because of the complexity of the route, and secondly, because of frequent traffic jams, the place is iconic and very popular. We crawl, climb and cling for 5-6 hours until we reach Mount Koziy Verkh (2291 m). However, there will be a break for lunch. Behind Kozim Verkh, a quieter path begins, and then a descent to the already familiar Black Lake. Let’s stop shaking in our knees and go have dinner at the Murovanets shelter.

Alternative options: If you are not yet ready for the extreme trek of the Eagle Trail, then you can skip this part of the route and just stay at the shelter for the day or sunbathe by the lake. In case of bad weather, it is possible that the whole group will not go to Orla Perts, but instead we will go to another, simpler section of the same ridge - to the three-headed Mount Granata (2240 ​​m).

Travel time: 10 hours. Distance: 10 km. Elevation gain: 800 m.

We finally leave the Murovanets shelter and with our backpacks we set out on a new path towards the familiar ridge. We cross the Zadny Uplaz spur and find ourselves in the Panščica valley, completely overgrown with dwarf elfin trees. From the next Red Lake (1670 m) a long climb begins to the Krzyzne Pass (2112 m). From the pass we admire a gorgeous view of the huge waterfall and the valley of Pyati Stavov (Pyatiozerye), where we have to go down.

A couple of hours later, finding ourselves down at the Front Lake, we check into another shelter - this time much more modest (no hot shower) but located in an extremely picturesque place. We leave our things and go for an evening walk to the five lakes and Siklava waterfall.

Travel time: 6 hours. Distance: 8 km. Elevation gain: 700 m.

From the shelter we return to the Great Stav Polski (the largest of the lakes in this valley), go around it from the West and begin the climb to the Shpiglas Pass (2110m). This will take about 2 hours. From the pass we make a short radial hike to the top (2172m), and then descend to Morskie Oko Lake. The trail passes under Mount Mnich (2070 m). This is one of the most beautiful peaks in the Tatras - a real rock fang. In 2-3 hours we will reach Lake Morskoe Oko. We walk around the lake a little, stop by the cafe of the local shelter, and then begin the descent.

We stop for the night at the Roztoky Valley shelter, about an hour and a half walk from Lake Morskie Oko. This is a quiet and cozy place, in the forest, literally on the border with Slovakia. Early lights out.

Travel time: 8 hours. Distance: 20 km. Elevation gain: 500 m.

Today we are going to climb the highest peak in Poland - Rysy Peak (height 2500 meters). To do this, we wake up at the crack of dawn, pack our things and put them in a storage room. We go for the climb with a minimal set: crampons (only in June), raincoat, windbreaker, trekking poles, gloves, lunch snack, bottle of water. We climb along the road to Lake Morskoe Oko and then (already along the path) past full-flowing waterfalls we go to Black Stav near Rysy. Behind the camp begins the trail to the top of Rysy Peak (2500 m) - the highest peak in Poland. The peak is located on the border with Slovakia and there is also something to see on that side. The ascent will take about 4 hours (with chains, staples and other gags), the descent will take about 3 hours. The route is a little easier and shorter than the Eagle Trail, so everyone can do it.

Halfway down the descent we will stop for lunch. Upon returning to the Roztoky shelter, we collect our luggage from the storage room, repack our backpacks and head down to Zakopane. You can walk (1 hour on asphalt in the middle of the forest) or ride a horse-drawn minibus (20 zlotys). At Polana Palenice we change to a bus (30 minutes) and arrive in the center of Zakopane around 18:00. The hike is completed, you can leave for Krakow, or stay one more night in Zakopane.

Travel time: 10 hours. Distance: 8 km. Elevation gain: 1500 m.