Waterfalls

Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza

Just before the Roztoka stream, flowing down from the Five Polish Lakes, joins the Białka, it plunges in a series of waterfalls 3 to 10 metres high. Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza are the largest waterfalls in the Polish Tatras — the three main cascades are named Wyżni, Pośredni and Niżni Wodogrzmot, and their roar carries far up the Roztoka Valley.

A name for a national poet

The name was given in 1891 to commemorate the return of Adam Mickiewicz's ashes to Wawel in 1890; the local folk name for the place was simply "Grzmot" (The Thunder). The first known tourist to see them was Walery Eljasz in 1879, with the guide Maciej Sieczka, and they were opened to visitors in 1886. On the slopes of Roztocka Czuba above the cascades grows a relic stand of Swiss stone pine and larch.

On the way to Morskie Oko

You pass the falls on the route from Palenica Białczańska to Morskie Oko — the short descent to the footbridge at Pośredni Wodogrzmot takes only a moment, and from here it is about an hour and a half on to Morskie Oko. The stone bridge on Oswald Balzer's road was built in 1900 and widened in 1966; from it only Pośredni Wodogrzmot is well visible, while the Lower Fall remains off-limits to tourists.

In practice

The falls are at their best in spring, after the snowmelt, when the Roztoka carries the most water. Remember this is Tatra National Park land: stay on the trail and include the TPN entry fee in your budget. In summer peak hours the bridge gets crowded — come early in the morning and you will have the cascades to yourself.

Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza

A name for a national poet

On the way to Morskie Oko

In practice

What to see

Place map

Places to stay nearby

Sources and further reading

Nearby attractions

Dolina Roztoki

Polana Włosienica (Włosienica Clearing)

Five Polish Ponds Valley

Morskie Oko Lake

Orla Perć

Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy

Gąsienicowa Valley

Hala Gąsienicowa

Rysy

Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza

About this place

A name for a national poet

On the way to Morskie Oko

In practice

What to see

Place map

Places to stay nearby

Sources and further reading

Nearby attractions