Tatrzanski Park Narodowy Things to Do Tips by barryg23

We took the cable car to the top of Kasprowy Wierch and got a bit of a shock when we arrived as we were completely covered by cloud and were much colder than we expected. Apparently it was six degrees at the top. We bought a pair of gloves, put on all our extra layers (best idea we had was bringing these) and our jackets and had a quick coffee before beginning the hike.

The rain was coming down heavy now and we could barely see 10 yards in front of us due to the clouds. We took the red trail and headed east towards Swinica. There were few people on the path initially and I had no idea how safe all this was in the rain but soon enough the cloud cleared a little and we had a fantastic view down the mountain.

There is no finer sight than that you see when the clouds clear in a place like the High Tatras. We were hiking more or less along the Polish/Slovakian border which made it quite exciting. We could see Zakopane in the distance to the north.

Our first marker was at Liliowe, about 30 minutes from Kasprowsy Wierch and it was here we met the first hikers of the day. Good to know we weren't alone. We took a few pictures when the clouds cleared and then moved on towards the saddle point below Swinica, another half hour away.

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As we descended from Swinica we could see Zawrat in the distance, the place we planned to stop for lunch. It didn't look too far away but distances are deceptive climbing down a mountain and it took us a good while to reach the spot. It looked lovely in the distance and the sun was shining there so we were looking forward to lunch.

Of course as soon as we got there those big clouds that had covered Swinica and prevented us from seeing anything had moved east and covered our lunch spot. And then it started to rain. We were starving and I had taken insulin so there was little option but to eat.

It was difficult to enjoy the lake view given the conditions. And it's not easy to make a picnic in the rain. But as I write this now and look back on that day I know we were having a good time. Hmmm....

We got quite cold sitting around so we moved on. We were now switching from the red to the blue path in an effort to make it to the Morskie Oro lake before dark. We were hoping the rain and clouds would go the other way too.

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While Eagles path had been all about chains, steep cliffs and difficult climbs, the blue path was much easier and way fairly flat at first, then downhill. However, it was bucketing down and we were soaked to the skin. We descended fairly quickly then walked alongside the three lakes.

It was a 1 hour 45 min hike to our next stop, the hostel between the 2nd and 3rd lakes. It looked much closer from the top of the blue trail but as we wandered down it became obvious it would take us a while to cross it. We met the yellow trail, which climbed the mountains before descending to Morskie Oro, but we decided to stick to the blue as it was flatter and it seemed easier.

Most of the path was rocky, which is very difficult to walk upon and which really hurt our feet. After an hour of walking we made it down to the side of the farthest lake but as it was 4.30 by now, it was doubtful that we could make it all the way to the lake at Morskie Oro and back to Polana Polansia before dark. Morskie Oro was at least 2 hrs away and from there it was another 1.45 back down the hill from there. So we decided to cut our losses and took a green trail downhill towards Roztoki.

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The green trail was difficult at first but also very beautiful. We passed a beautiful waterfall as we descended towards the river. It was raining heavily and getting a little bit dangerous on the path. Rather worryingly we met nobody at all. But just when you think you are alone in the Tatras you suddenly meet loads of other hikers. And then yo long to be alone again...

Down at river the level the route wasn't nearly so pretty. By now we had been hiking most of the day and out thoughts were beginning to turn to hot showers and cold beers. Well mine certainly were anyway. I remember crossing the river and thinking we had only 30 minutes to go and then seeing a sign which estimated another hour.

We kept going and eventually reached the end of the path at about 6 o' clock. I had never been so relieved. We were on the road leading to Morskieoro and were hopeful of catching transport back to Zakopane - but no such luck. We had to walk about 40 minutes back to Polana Palinaca - the only transport down was by horse drawn carriage, which would cost most of our daily savings. So we struggled down and eventually got there and caught our bus back to Zakopane. What a hike!!

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