Tatra National Park

The Tatra National Park covers almost the entire Polish part of the Tatras — the only mountains of Alpine character between the Alps and the Caucasus. Though the range occupies just 2% of Poland's area, you will find everything associated with high mountains here: rocky towers, glacial cirques and lakes, waterfalls and precipitous valleys. Poland's highest summit, Rysy (2,499 m above sea level), rises right here, and the park, established in 1954, protects more than 21,000 hectares of the finest Tatra nature, including brown bears, lynxes, chamois and marmots.

Among the most popular destinations is Morskie Oko — the largest Tatra lake, reached from Łysa Polana by a scenic road (about two hours' walk one way). In summer the crowds also head for the Kościeliska Valley, the Gubałówka viewpoint and Kasprowy Wierch, accessible by cable car from Kuźnice. High in the valleys await waterfalls such as Wielka Siklawa, the Tatra's biggest cascade, and above the tree line marmot meadows where, at dawn, meeting a chamois is easier than meeting another tourist.

Entry to the park is paid on every trail: a standard ticket costs 11 zl, a reduced one 5.50 zl (pupils, students, pensioners), and a 7-day ticket 55 zl. You can buy it online, via a QR code at the entrance or at the gates; 15% of the revenue supports the TOPR mountain rescue service. Dogs are not allowed in the park, and the Mroźna Cave requires a separate ticket. Entrance points operate seasonally — in summer from as early as 5:00 — so Morskie Oko is calmest in the early morning. Remember that Tatra weather changes in a flash: check the park's alerts and the forecast before heading into the higher parts.