Lakes

Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy

A glacial lake below Kościelec

Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy lies at about 1,628 m in a rocky basin in the upper Gąsienicowa Valley. Its dark surface, granite boulders and the walls of Kościelec, Kozi Wierch and the Granaty create one of the most recognisable views in the Polish Tatras. It is a good goal for visitors who want a high-mountain lake without climbing an exposed summit, but the approach is still a rocky Tatra trail.

The easiest route from Murowaniec

The route from Hala Gąsienicowa to the lake is about 1.6 km and takes around 45 minutes one way. Leaving Murowaniec mountain hut, follow the yellow signs briefly, then turn onto the blue trail at the first junction. The path crosses dwarf pine, with a steeper final section over the moraine. The Kamień Karłowicza memorial stands beside the route, marking the place where composer Mieczysław Karłowicz died. From Kuźnice, add the longer approach to Hala Gąsienicowa; the Jaworzynka or Boczań variants are best treated as a full-day outing.

Rules and preparation

The lake is inside Tatra National Park. Before setting out, check the park’s trail notices and current map and buy an admission ticket. Swimming is forbidden, as is leaving marked trails; dogs are allowed in the park only on designated routes, and this approach is not a dog route. There is no hut or food outlet beside the lake; Murowaniec is the last visitor base. Rocks can be icy in spring, autumn and winter, and mountain weather changes quickly. Allow about 2–3 hours for the walk from Murowaniec and time at the lake, or considerably longer from Kuźnice.