Mountains & peaks

Orla Perć

Orla Perć is the hardest marked trail in the Polish Tatras and the longest ridge route of the High Tatras — it runs from Zawrat to Krzyżne, mostly along Świnica's eastern ridge, crossing several summits above 2,000 m. Chains, clamps and two steel ladders secure the exposed traverses, but this is no stroll: 140 people have died on the trail since it opened in 1906. Hikers with a fear of heights are strongly advised to stay away.

Where to start and how the route runs

The best bases are the Murowaniec hut in the Gąsienicowa Valley and the hut in the Valley of Five Polish Lakes; popular entries are the blue trail to Zawrat (about 2:20 h) and the yellow one to Kozia Przełęcz. Since 3 July 2007 the sections Zawrat–Kozia Przełęcz and Kozia Przełęcz–Kozi Wierch are one-way only. The whole crossing takes 6–8 hours in summer: Zawrat to Kozia Przełęcz is roughly 1:20 h, then on over Kozi Wierch, the Granaty peaks and finally Krzyżne.

The point of no return

From the middle section, between Skrajny Granat and Krzyżne, there is no earlier way off the trail — you must decide whether to enter before the Granaty and soberly assess the weather, your fitness and your time buffer. In winter the trail leaves the tourist circuit, and even in summer morning clouds can turn the chains into slippery rails.

History and records

The idea for the trail was put forward in 1903 by Franciszek Henryk Nowicki, and it opened in 1906. The continuation along the Wołoszyn ridge has remained closed — the whole massif is a strict nature reserve. Elite runners cross Orla Perć in just over an hour: in 2018 Filip Babicz ran it in 1:04:23, and in August 2026 Marcel Broj lowered the record to 1:01:30. For most hikers it remains a full day of effort.