Overview
An eight day, self-guided walking holiday will take you to Żywiecki Beskid – the second-highest mountain range in the polish part of Carpathians. Visit Babia Góra National Park listed by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve and climb the Devil’s Peak (1,725m). Continue the journey to Zakopane, nestled at the foot of the spectacular Tatras Mountains. Don’t miss the opportunity to walk its trails, dotted with beautiful, crystal clear glacial lakes. Cross the border with Slovakia to the northern part of Belianske Tatras, visit charming little villages like Javorina and Ždiar. Finish your adventure in Poland’s old capital, Kraków.
- Kraków
- Tatras National Park
- Babia Góra National Park
- Zakopane
- Belianske Tatras, Slovakia
Click to view map
*This map is only for general reference; detailed route maps will be provided in your pre-departure package.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kraków
Arrival and accommodation in a hotel in Kraków. Take in this fascinating city with the UNESCO Old Town, home to the biggest medieval Market Square and the atmospheric streets of Jewish Quarter. In the afternoon, meeting with our local representative who will give you all your necessary travel information and maps.
- Accommodation: Hotel Kazimierz or similar
Day 2: Krowiarki Pass to Zawoja | 16.5km
Transfer to Krowiarki Pass (approx. 2h). Today you will climb Diablak (Devil’s Peak), the highest summit in Babia Góra biosphere reserve (Old Women’s/Witches’ Mountain). It reaches 1,725m above sea level and forms a watershed between Baltic Sea and Black Sea basins. There are several legends about the mountain, most of which feature a devil as one of the characters. This may be a reflection of the fickle, usually windy, capricious weather on the summit.
- Walking for the day: 16.5km, 5-6h, ↑1,043m ↓1,442m
- Accommodation: Hotel&Spa Jawor or similar
Day 3: Zawoja to Kościelisko | 20km
After breakfast, transfer to Siwa Polana in Chochołowska Valley. Walk to Kościelisko through the famous and beautiful Chochołowska and Kościeliska Valleys in Tatra National Park. Overnight in Zakopane, a popular resort town in the foothills of the Tatras Mountains, known for its centuries-long history, distinctive folk art, ancient crafts and examples of highlander architecture.
- Walking for the day: 20km, 6-7h, ↑1,055m ↓1,027m
- Accommodation: Hotel Czarny Potok or similar
Day 4: Kościelisko to Zakopane | 13.5km
Morning transfer to Koscielisko. Today’s goal is to reach Zakopane through vallies and Sarnie Skałki (Deer’s rock) 1,377m. Enjoy the rugged, limestone and dolomite ridges, covered with dazzling evergreens, following the trail twisted through the dark shadows of the towering mountainsides, with views of the brightly-illuminated valleys. Stroll from the charming Strążyska Valley to the picturesque Siklawica waterfall, quite impressive in the spring when the snow melts. The total height of the waterfall is 23m. Follow the trail up to Sarnie Skałki, which is the best viewpoint for a Polish holy mountain Giewont, also called from its shape, a sleeping knight.
- Walking for the day: 13.5km, 5-6h, ↑700m ↓786m
- Accommodation: Hotel Czarny Potok or similar
Day 5: Valley of the Five Lakes | 18km
Walk to the Valley of the Five Lakes (Gąsienicowe Lakes Valley). You can easily see the first four lakes (Wielki, Mały, Przedni and Czarny) walking around the mountain hut. The last one, Zadni lake, requires a longer hike on the blue trail towards Świnica – one of the highest peaks in Poland, 2,300m. Enjoy the crystal clear lakes of different shapes and colours and take in the spectacular views.
- Walking for the day: 18km, 5-7h, ↑892m ↓893m
- Accommodation: Hotel Czarny Potok or similar
Day 6: Javorina to Ždiar | 17km
Today our driver will pick you up and take you across the border to Slovakia. You will start your hike in Javorina, a charming village in Poprad District in the Prešov Region. Walk to Ždiar, one of the oldest settlements in the Tatras. The culture of Goral people is evident everywhere from the gingerbread-style log buildings and the local embroidery to traditional meals, heavy with cheese. Visit the Bachledka Treetop walk in the heart of majestic forests of the Pieniny National Park, a long and winding pathway at the top of the forest and don’t miss the view from the 32-metre high observation tower.
- Walking for the day: 17km, 5-6h, ↑975m ↓1,114m
- Accommodation: Guesthouse Penzión Ždiar or similar
Day 7: Belianske Tatras / Krakow | 5km
Enjoy a short walk in the Belianske Tatras. Although most of the area is not accessible to protect the rare animals and plants, you can still stroll along Monkova Dolina. The main ridge of the mountain is made of limestone and dolomite and differs significantly from the High Tatras. The northern parts of the Belianske Tatras are home to the largest population of the Tatra chamois, and typical flower of the mountains is the beautiful edelweiss. Transfer to Krakow in the afternoon.
- Walking for the day: 5km, 1-2h, ↑205m ↓64m
- Accommodation: Hotel Kazimierz or similar
Day 8: Departure
Return home or extend your stay.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in charming centrally located 3*** hotels and one night in a guesthouse in Zdiar. All places have been carefully hand-picked by us, and their quality is regularly monitored. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view default hotels
- 3*** Hotel Kazimierz (Krakow)
- 3*** Hotel&Spa Jawor (Zawoja)
- 3*** Hotel Czarny Potok (Zakopane)
- Guesthouse Penzión Ždiar (Ždiar)
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will give you the exact accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included. Picnic lunches can be pre-ordered locally. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in the hotel or from several restaurants in towns and villages where the accommodation is located. Most restaurants offer local specialities as well as international cuisine. Try traditional spirits called Horec or Tatra Tea. These are the typical spirits for the High Tatras and are made of herbs. Be careful – they are quite strong.
Difficulty and terrain
Moderate level suitable for fit hikers. On some days it is possible to modify and shorten the itinerary for the less experienced walkers. The trails in the High Tatras are pretty rocky and the terrain can become slippery in rain and fog (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
The tour is available from May to September. The flexibility of self guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
The climate is mostly of a mountain and alpine character. Windy weather is typical, and during summer afternoon rainstorms are usual. The average temperatures vary from 14 degrees in May to 20 in August. Highest precipitation occurs in June.
Getting there
Up-to-date FCO travel advice on Slovakia is available here and on Poland – here.
Click to view travel options and route planner
By plane
Recommended arrival and departure airport: Krakow (KRK).
By train or bus
- Kraków Airport is the largest regional airport in Poland. The airport is located 11km west of Kraków. The train is considered the best solution from the airport to Kraków’s city centre for its travel time and cost. The journey from Kraków airport to the city centre takes 20mins, and costs €4. Cost of taxi from/to airport to the city centre is approximately PLN100 (€22).
- The journey from Katowice Airport to Kraków is approximately 2h by bus. The airport offers many convenient low-cost flights from the UK (Liverpool, London – Stansted, London – Luton).
Included
Included
- Accommodation in en-suite rooms (as described in the itinerary) with breakfast included
- Welcome meeting
- Transfer from Krakow to Krowiarki Pass on Day 2
- Transfer from Zawoja to Siwa Polana on Day 3
- Transfer from Koscielisko to Zakopane on Day 3
- Transfer from Zakopane to Koscielisko on Day 4
- Transfer from Zakopane to Javorina on Day 6
- Transfer from Belianske Tatras to Krakow on Day 7
- Departure transfer to Krakow airport
- Luggage transfers between the accommodations when changing hotels – one bag per person
- Detailed journey documentation and practical information
- GPS tracks
- 24/7 phone support by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and arrival airport transfer
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- Single room supplement for members of a group
- This holiday is available for solo travellers upon request only; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Guided tour of Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow with transport
- Guided tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial museum near Krakow with ransport
- Extra nights in Krakow available upon request
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