Mountains & peaks

Nosal

The 1,206-metre summit caps the north-eastern ridge of Kasprowy Wierch above Kuźnice, its limestone walls rising up to 50 metres. The name comes from rocks that from the north-west resemble a nose — and for Zakopane, Nosal is more than a point on the map: it is a stage in the town's skiing history, with lifts on the northern slope and a ski run down through Nosalowa Przełęcz.

Triassic limestone and mountain dwellers

Nosal is built entirely of sedimentary rocks — Middle Triassic limestones and dolomites — with a prominence of 105 metres. Hidden in the slope is the Dziura pod Nosalem cave. Edelweiss and rare orchids grow on the slopes, while lynx, red deer and eagle owls live in the forest — the summit lies within Tatra National Park.

A climbing rock now off-limits

Some 30 climbing routes were once established in the western walls, where even TOPR mountain rescuers trained — today climbing is banned by the national park. For hikers the summit remains reachable: an easy green trail from Kuźnice leads over the top in about 35 minutes and continues to the Murowanica stop, while from Nosalowa Pass (1,101 m) a yellow trail descends to Olczyska Polana.

In practice

Go in the morning, when the light on Giewont and the Red Peaks is at its best and the views from the glade below the summit are clearest. The route is short and gentle, but in winter consider snowshoes, and near the ski lifts keep to the marked paths — this is protected ground.