Hiking in Polish Tatras is getting more and more popular. During the summer, hundreds of tourists flock to the town of Zakopane in order to spend some time admiring the spectacular peaks and turquoise mountainous lakes. In this article, I have prepared a 4-day itinerary (or shorter - depending how fit you are and how much time you have) which will allow you to see the best of the Tatra Mountains: the three most picturesque valleys with lakes and Poland's highest peak - Rysy. If you're planning on hiking in Zakopane for a few days - follow this route and you'll get the best of it!

Although Rysy is the highest peak in Poland, it's relatively easy to climb it to the top. The hike is quite tiring and steep; nevertheless, it's nowhere near as difficult as some other trails in the Tatras - like, for example, the trail to Zawrat via Dolina Gasienicowa which is my favorite in the whole Tatars.

As an interesting fact, I can mention that the Rysy peak is also a border crossing point - you can easily go down to the other side which is in Slovakia. The Slovakian side of Rysy is easier but less spectacular. As both countries lie within the Schengen zone, of course, there are no guards or barricades; you won’t even notice you’re in a different country.

Many of the visitors coming to southern Poland and Krakow region end up in Zakopane - the little town located at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. Some hike (or take a horse cart ride) up the easy and quite boring trail to the most famous landmark in Polish mountains - Morskie Oko lake which is undoubtedly picturesque and beautiful, but so overcrowded that it can get really irritating.

In this post, I'll try to encourage you to leave Morskie Oko behind and venture into the real, wild beauty of the area. As usual, the most attractive and stunning views are awaiting those who are brave enough to take a risk and explore something beyond the beaten path. I've already described the trek to Dolina Pieciu Stawow which is way nicer than the one to Morskie Oko and now it's time to write about my favorite trail in the Tatras - to Swinica peak via the less known Dolina Gasienicowa (Gasienicowa Valley) and Zawrat saddle. This trail features not one but several crystal clear lakes of different shapes and colors, spectacular views - incomparable with those on the way to Morskie Oko and it's perfect for those who love adventure and adrenaline rush!

This article will probably be a bit off topic but I felt a need to write it after a visit in one of the world's most infamous sites. Auschwitz Concentration Camp in southern Poland has recently become one of the most visited tourist attraction in the Krakow region. However, in my opinion, it should never be perceived as one. The site of incomparable genocide that was committed by the Nazis during the second world war should be seen only if you fully understand what really happened there and what consequences it entailed for those involved in those horrific events.

Zakopane, also called Poland's winter capital due to the abundance of ski resorts in the region is becoming a popular tourist destination among foreign visitors to the country. It's probably because it's so close to the most famous attraction in Poland - the medieval city of Krakow. Contrary to Zakopane's nickname - "winter capital", although it's perfect for ski lovers, the area is also worth visiting during all other seasons - when the snow melts, you can enjoy hiking spectacular mountainous trails dotted with beautiful, crystal clear postglacial lakes. In this post, however, I will focus on the town itself and highlight what to see around - there are plenty of articles online about Zakopane, basically describing Tatra National park, but few about the actual town.

Europe is a greatly diverse continent - most of it has the 4 distinct seasons and is visited by the travelers either in summer when the weather is great or in winter - for skiing. Autumn colors are also beautiful and attract those who like nature and hiking trails. But where to go in March or April? The winter snow is gone - leaving behind the grey, nearly black and white world, the weather isn't too great either and in the south it's still not hot enough to enjoy the beach. However, there is one place, hidden in Polish Tatra Mountains where the best time to visit is the early spring. For around 2 weeks, when the first, warmer sun rays after the winter months melt the snow lying on the slopes, hikers near Choholowska Valley might have the luck to experience a magnificent wonder of nature - when millions of purple crocuses appear turning the gloomy, post-winter meadows into a bright, colorful carpet.

Zakopane is the winter capital of Poland and also one of the country's most popular resort towns in the summer (I've described it here). Due to proximity of Krakow, the ancient Polish capital, which, after Schengen Agreement suddenly became a popular tourist destination, Zakopane has also seen a considerable rise in foreign visitors for the last couple of years.

Most of people come to Zakopane for its charm, typical for the region wooden architecture with pointed roofs, Krupowki Street with many international stores, and, of course the Tatra Mountains. The best, and easiest way to enjoy the views is to get on the funicular that will take you to the top of the nearby hill, Gubalowka. There, you can enjoy some local, hand made craft items as well as delicious food while admiring the surrounding, snowy peaks. I will write a separate article about the town itself in the future, in this post I would like to focus on both: probably the most beautiful (and popular) place in the region: Morskie Oko lake, and the less visited, however, in my opinion, even greater Czarny Staw lake.