Unclassified trails in the Tatras | PolishTrains

At a glance

• Mala Laka Valley lies in the Western Tatras between Koscieliska Valley and Hala Kondratowa, away from main crowds
• Rusinowa Polana is reachable by minibus from Zakopane station, alighting at Wierch Poroniec
• Hala Story reaches a maximum elevation of 1,417 m and is accessible via an easy path from Koscieliska Valley
• Trains from Cracow to Zakopane take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours
• Wielki Kopieniec and Hala Story are recommended beginner routes offering panoramic Tatra views
• All featured trails can be accessed by minibus from Zakopane PKP station

From June until the end of August 2022, trains will run to the replacement station Spyrkówka. It has been prepared due to further modernisation works near Zakopane Central Station. The temporary station is located in the area of Chyców Potok Street.

Tatra trails for beginners

The Tatras are mountains that offer many trekking and climbing opportunities. Among the most famous and most besieged peaks are certainly Rysy and Giewont. However, before you set off for the higher parts of the mountains, it is worth testing your fitness on easier, yet equally scenic trails. Preferably ones where you will not meet crowds of tourists. So where is the best place to set off on a trip?

The Small Meadow Valley

The Mała Łąka Valley is situated in the Western Tatras. The small valley is located between the Kościeliska Valley and Hala Kondratowa.You get to Zakopane by train, and then catch one of the buses in the direction of Chochołowska Valley or Kościeliska Valley. It is worth making sure that the bus goes past the entrance to the trail, which is located at the junction of Strzelców Podhalańskich and Krzeptówki Potok streets.

Dolina Małej Łąki is a place where you are sure to escape the crowds. The wide, green glade offers a spectacular panorama of the Giewont, the Przełęcz pod Kopą Kondracką and the Wielka Małołącka Turię. It is a perfect place for a family picnic or a lazy afternoon for two. We can end our walk in the valley on Wielka Polana Małołącka or extend the trip with a walk towards Przysłop Miętuski. It is a pass with beautiful views of Kominiarski Wierch or Czerwone Wierchy.

Velky Kopieniec

Wielki Kopieniec is a peak with a height of 1328 m above sea level, which surprises with its magnificent panorama. We can see from the herds almost the whole Tatra ridge - from Hawrania, through the High Tatras and the whole Orla Perć, up to the slopes of Giewont, Kasprowy Wierch and Czerwone Wierchy. An additional bonus is the magnificent panorama of the Gorce, Pieniny and Beskid Mountains with Babia Góra at the forefront.

The trail starts in Toporowa Cyrhla (Zakopane). You can get here by bus from the Zakopane railway station, which goes in the direction of the Morskie Oko Lake (it may also be described as Palenica Białczańska). All you have to do is signal the destination of the trip and it will stop right at the entrance to the trail. The route takes 1:10 h one way. After descending from the summit, we can rest on the Kopieniec glade, where there are historic shepherd's huts.

Hala Stoły

Hala Stoły is a lovely glade located in the heart of the Kościeliska Valley. Easy and convenient access makes it a trip for practically everyone. The large pastoral glade is located on the eastern slope of a small massif descending towards the bottom of the Koscieliska Valley. The highest point of the glade rises to 1,427 metres above sea level.

The glade offers spectacular views of Giewont and Czerwone Wierchy. In the shade of the shepherd's huts (no longer in use), you can sit and enjoy the silence and the landscape.

Buses from the station in Zakopane run every few minutes. The first ones from 7 a.m. and the last ones until sunset.

Rusinowa Polana and Goose Neck

This is a real classic among the easy Tatra trails. At the same time, the route is much less besieged than the nearby trail to Morskie Oko. However, due to the beautiful panorama at around midday, we can meet many people there. It takes only 1:15 h to see one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Tatra Mountains, so we recommend going first thing in the morning or closer to sunset to enjoy more peace on the glade.

Rusinowa Polana offers a breathtaking view of the High Tatras. From here you will see Ice Peak, Baran's Horns, Gerlach and Rysy, among others. You can extend the tour to Goose Neck. The route is not demanding, but very rewarding.

The trail to Rusinowa Polana begins at the car park on Wierch Porońcu. Access from the Zakopane railway station is very easy, as all buses that go towards the Morskie Oko Lake run there.

Tatra trails without crowds

Our suggestions are just a small selection of the easy trails in the Tatras. Want to start your adventure with the mountains? Pack your backpack and hop on the train! Find cheap online tickets at polishtrains.eu