Hiking in Europe - Poland

From the soaring heights of the Tatra Mountains to the gentle rolling hills of the Beskids, Poland's trails will ignite your spirit of adventure and leave you craving more!

Source: Maksym Harbar

We all love a holiday; travelling somewhere new, taking in the sights, walking through bustling cities, and coming across a piece of history on every corner. Sometimes though, this can get exhausting; standing in line, competing with strangers for a few mere seconds of looking at a priceless artwork and being constantly jostled about in crowds. Our suggestion? Step off the worn cobblestones and into a hiking or running adventure along ancient trails, participate in local events, and experience a different side of a country that most tourists never see.

Country: Poland
Perfect for: Cavers, multi-day hikers, challenge seekers
Difficulty: Moderate to high
Events: Tatra Fest Bieg

A land of rugged peaks, hidden valleys and ancient forests, Poland offers an adventure seeker's paradise. Here, in the heart of Europe, lies a network of challenging treks and breathtaking landscapes waiting to be explored.

In Southern Poland on the border with Slovakia lies the Tatra national park, a subrange of the 1,500km-long Carpathian mountains. In the 211km² of park, you’ll find alpine meadows, rugged peaks, glacial lakes and over 650 caves, the largest being Jaskinia Wielka Śniezna (Great Snowy Cave) which is 23km long and can get as deep as 824m. Several other caves are open for tours with local guides and can provide a new perspective when hiking. At 1,630m long, Mylna cave is the longest cave you can explore without a guide and has its own microclimate where temperatures remain below 5ºC year round. The name Mylna comes from the winding corridors which can easily lead to people getting lost, for this reason only 300m of galleries is open for unguided exploration.

Climbing Rysy:
Above ground, the highest peak you’ll find is the mountain Rysy at 2,499m. The name Rysy translates to “scratches” or “crevices” and refers to the glacial striations or rough terrain on the rock faces. Gerlachovsky štít is the highest peak in the Tatra range at 2,655m, but is on the other side of the border in Slovakia. As the border between the two countries follows the mountain line, when you stand at the top of Rysy, you are standing in both Poland and Slovakia, a mind-boggling thing to tick off your list. 

To climb to the summit of Rysy, start at Palenica Białczańska and bask in the beauty of waterfalls, rivers, lakes, mountains and greenery. Take a breath when you get to Morskie Oko lake and Czarny Staw and enjoy some of the beautiful views before dragging yourself to the tippity top of Rysy by chain. The route is an out-and-back, totalling 24.8km and is most popular on weekends during July to September. Hiking outside of these months is possible, but requires proper gear for snow and ice to avoid injury, experience in mountaineering is also a must if you’re planning on hiking in winter. If you’re looking to stay in one of the mountain huts at any time of the year, it’s strongly recommended to book in advance to avoid disappointment or being stranded on the mountain once the sun goes down. 

To enter the Tatra National Park, you’ll need to pay the 7-10 PLN entry fee which is less than $5 AUD. If you enter from the Slovakian side however, the park is legally only open between June and October due to conservation laws protecting the local fauna and for the safety of the trail. 

More Hikes in the Tatra:
Named after the five alpine lakes, Wielki Staw (Great Pond), Mały Staw (Small Pond), Przedni Staw (Front Pond), Czarny Staw (Black Pond) and Zadni Staw (Hind Pond), the Valley of the Five Polish Ponds is located in Tatra National Park and was carved by glaciers during the last ice age. 

If you’re looking to really push yourself, you could try the gruelling Orla Perć (the Eagle’s Path). Considered one of the most challenging in the Tatras, the ridge trail is technically difficult featuring steep climbs, chains, pegs and ladders. There are few exit points along the way and several sections are one-way only meaning that once you commit, you can’t turn back. The nature of the ridge means that the trail is exposed to sudden changes in weather and strong wind gusts which can become dangerous when using the chains or ladders. This trail is only recommended for those with a high level of physical fitness and experience hiking at higher altitudes (>2,000m).

More Hikes in the Beskids:
For something altogether different, take a breath and enjoy the often overlooked Beskids. These mountain ranges boast gentle, rolling hills, dense forests and expansive meadows and can be enjoyed all year round (though proper snow gear is required in winter). The well-maintained trails range from wide, beginner-friendly paths to narrow, rocky mountain trails that will challenge even the mountain goats among us. Also in the Beskids is Babia Gòra, the highest peak at 1,725m and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve due to its diverse flora and fauna. On the way to Babia Gòra you can see examples of traditional Polish architecture in wooden churches and "Bacówkas," traditional shepherd's huts which have been turned into mountain shelters.

For something a little longer, Główny Szlak Beskidzki (the Main Beskid Trail) stretches for 500km and traverses 6 mountain ranges. There are numerous mountain huts along the routes with simple lodgings and meals as well as unique stamps for a trekkers pass. If you manage to complete the trail in 21 days, you can receive a PTTK badge which are hard-earned Polish Society Tourist Sightseeing badges. Mały Szlak Beskidzki (the Little Beskid Trail) is only 137km and covers 3 mountain ranges. There are also mountain huts, restaurants and stores along the trail so you can restock and get a good night’s sleep each day. The Little Beskid Trail is less technical and is often in forests so it can be a good option for anyone who wants to prioritise an easy multi-day hike.

Events:
If you’re in the Beskid area and looking for something with more speed, the Beskidy Ultra Trail runs at the end of August and offers distances from 10km all the way up to 140km. 
Zakopane is the resort town at the foot of Tatra and is known as the “winter capital” of Poland. This is also where a number of events take place including Tatra Fest Bieg, a celebration of the outdoors which includes trail running, climbing competitions, group trekking and bike rides. 

There are 3 running races, including a 25km, 65km and a vertical race in which competitors have 15 minutes to run the 300m up Wielka Krokiew, the Zakopane iconic ski jump. 
For every running event, the number of participants is capped at 350 for safety, so be sure to book in advance. 

If you need a refresher on what to take with you for single or multi-day hikes, check out our blog on pack volume. Once you know where you want to go the next task is where you’ll be staying. Wild camping is illegal in Tatra National Park, but is generally allowed in the Beskid area. As always, leave no trace and be mindful of wildlife which may be attracted to your food including brown bears, wolves and lynxes. 

The Tatra and Beskid mountain ranges are relatively undiscovered by mass tourism and can give a more authentic mountain environment experience of complete isolation and timelessness. Wherever you decide to go hiking, have a great time and stay safe!