"Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains " a Zakopane Travel Page by mikelisaanna

Zakopane is the gateway to the Tatras, Poland's highest mountains at over 8000 feet. In the winter, Zakopane is Poland's primary ski resort. In the summer, Zakopane is the stepping off point for hikers venturing into the Tatras. The town itself looks like a typical ski resort town, full of restaurants, hotels, and souvenir and sporting goods shops.

While not as high as the Alps, the Tatras around Zakopane are still impressive, because they rise very sharply up from the rolling countryside to their north, making them look higher than they are. The Tatras are high enough that you can get above the treeline, giving you amazing views. Even though we were there at the end of the summer, we still saw a little bit of snow on one of the peaks.

Anyone who thinks that Poland is a relatively flat country with minimal scenery will be stripped of that notion after a visit to Zakopane. We were there during the summer and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery.