Zakopane to Morskie Oko

The picturesque Morskie Oko is perhaps the most famous natural destination in Poland. The lake is surrounded by lush green forest and towered over by the mighty Tatra Mountains. 

Morskie Oko (Polish: “Sea Eye” or “Eye of the Sea”) is the largest lake in the Tatra Mountains, located in the Tatra National Park in the south of Poland. Morskie Oko is one of the few lakes in the Tatra Mountains naturally stocked with fish. In the past this earned the lake the name of “Fish Lake”. According to legend, the lake was connected to the sea via an underground passage, hence the name “Sea Eye” or “Eye of the Sea”. The peaks of the Tatra Mountains that surround the lake rise over 1000 metres.

Morskie Oko is one of the most popular destinations in the Tatras, receiving over 50,000 visitors a year. It takes two hours to hike to Morskie Oko from the trailhead at Palenica Białczańska, a distance of 8 kilometres. Many tourists opt to take a horse-drawn cart to Włosienica, leaving a distance of only 1.5 kilometres left to hike. 

To reach Morskie Oko, you first need to get to the resort town of Zakopane. There are regular buses to Zakopane from Krakow, costing 18 PLN, and taking approximately two hours. From Zakopane, you need to take another bus to the Morskie Oko trailhead at Palenica Białczańska. Buses are marked “Morskie Oko” and take around half an hour, costing 18 PLN (2023). On arriving at Palenica Białczańska, pay the Tatra National Park entry fee of 5 PLN (per person per day) at the kiosk. If you have driven to Palenica Białczańska, parking is 25 PLN per day.

From Palenica Białczańska, it’s an approximately two hour gradual uphill walk along a sealed road to Morskie Oko (1395m). It’s not a particularly pleasant walk with hundreds upon hundreds of people walking up and down the road and horse carriages pushing you to the side of the road every ten minutes. Give the horses a wide berth as some will try to give you a bite if they think you’re too close. For those wanting to cut out some walking, you can ride in one of the horse carriages for 90 PLN per person (2023). The carriages take approximately one hour and bring visitors to Włosienica, 1.5 kilometres from Morskie Oko.

On arriving to Morskie Oko there are two huts, commonly known as the Old Hut and the New Hut. The first shelter at Morskie Oko was built in 1836. This shelter burned down in 1865. A new shelter was constructed in 1874. A coach house (Polish: Wozownia) was built in 1890 to accommodate the coaches that came to the lake. The new hut burned down in 1898 and Wozownia was converted and into the main shelter. In 1907 construction began on a new hut – Schronisko PTTK Morskie Oko, commonly refered to as the New Hut. The new hut officially opened in 1908. Today Wozownia is often refered to as the Old Hut (Polish: Stare Schronisko). It still houses guests and is the oldest mountain hut in the entire Polish Tatras. Both huts provides lodging, with the New Hut having a busy restaurant. Having a nice cold Polish beer is my recommendation!

The New Hut is situated right on the edge of the lake with a magnificant view. This is where the vast majority of visitors stop to take photos, to eat, and to rest. That makes the lakeside and area around the New Hut very crowded with literally hundreds of people sitting and loitering around. Take note that it is prohibited to swim in the lake, or for that matter even paddle. The reason for this is to protect the delicate ecosystem of the lake. As tempting as it might be to go for a dip, don’t risk it! The ban is enforced and you could be slapped with a fine for violating this rule.

Morskie Oko is roughly 500 metres wide by 800 metres long, with a total surface area of 0.3493 square kilometers. The lake reaches a depth of 51.8m deep, and typically freezes over during the winter. The lake is surrounded by the highest peaks of the Tatras, which rise over 1000 meters above its surface, including Rysy (2499 meters), the highest peak in Poland.

If you have the time I highly recommend doing a circuit of the lake. The circuit is an easy 2.6 kilometers which takes no more than an hour and you’ll get beautiful views all around the lake. Another option is to walk up to the lake Czarny Staw. Czarny Staw is at 1583m elevation, 170 metres above Morskie Oko. The lake is around half the size of Morskie Oko but is perhaps even more beautiful. Much fewer tourists make the hike to zarny Staw, expect dozens as opposed to the hundreds at Morskie Oko. If you’re up for a serious adventure with some seriously spectacular scenery, you could attempt climbing Rysy, the highest mountain in Poland.

ZAKOPANE TO MORSKIE OKO WALKTHROUGH

750m elevation
Zakopane
To reach Morskie Oko, you will first need to get yourself to the resort town of Zakopane. There are regular buses to Zakopane from Krakow, costing 18 PLN and taking approximately two hours.
750m elevation
0km, 990m elevation
Palenica Białczańska
From Zakopane, take another bus to the Morskie Oko trailhead at Palenica Białczańska. Buses are marked "Morskie Oko", take around half an hour, and cost 10PLN. Once you arrive at Palenica Białczańska, pay the Tatra National Park entry fee of 5 PLN at the kiosk. Once you've paid, its time to begin your hike!
0km, 990m elevation
2.6km, 1031m
Schronisko w Dolinie Roztoki
A shelter was built on the site in 1876. The current shelter, Schronisko w Dolinie Roztoki, was built between 1911-1912. Beds cost between 40-60 PLN depending on the time of year and type of room.
2.6km, 1031m
6.5km, 1315m
Włosienica
A small clearing 1.5km from Morskie Oko. The site was the main carpark until the 1980s. Today this is where the horse carriages stop. There's a small kiosk selling snacks under the pavilion.
6.5km, 1315m
7.9km, 1405m
Wozownia / Stare Schronisko
The first shelter at Morskie Oko was built in 1836. This shelter burned down in 1865. A new shelter was constructed in 1874. A coach house (Polish: Wozownia) was built in 1890 to accommodate the coaches that came to the lake. The new hut burned down in 1898 and Wozownia was converted and into the main shelter. In 1907 construction began on a new hut. The new hut officially opened in 1908. Wozownia is often refered to as the Old Hut (Polish: Stare Schronisko). Today Wozownia still houses guests and is the oldest mountain hut in the entire Polish Tatras. The Old Hut has 43 beds, costing 36-39 PLN per night.
7.9km, 1405m
8km, 1405m
Schronisko PTTK Morskie Oko
Schronisko PTTK Morskie Oko was built in 1907 and officially opened in 1908. It is commonly refered to as the New Hut, as opposed to the Old Hut (Wozownia / Stare Schronisko). The New Hut has 36 beds, costing 50-70 PLN per night. The hut has a busy restaurant which serves 28 dishes. There is also a small kiosk which sells snacks, drinks, and souvenirs.
8km, 1405m
8km, 1395m
Morskie Oko
Morskie Oko is one of the most spectacular lakes of the entire Tatras. The lake is surrounded by the highest peaks which rise over 1000 meters above its surface, including Rysy (2499 meters), the highest peak in Poland.
8km, 1395m

TRIP VARIATIONS WITH DISTANCES & WALKING TIMES

Morskie Oko + Circuit

Palenica Białczańska to Morskie Oko – 8km, 2h
Morskie Oko Circuit – 2.6km, 1h
Morskie Oko to Palenica Białczańska – 8km, 2h
Round Trip: 18.6km, 5h

Morskie Oko + Czarny Staw

Palenica Białczańska to Morskie Oko – 8km, 2h
Morskie Oko to Czarny Staw – 1.8km, 50m
Czarny Staw to Morskie Oko – 1.8km, 40m
Morskie Oko to Palenica Białczańska – 8km, 2h
Round Trip: 19.6km, 5h30m

Morskie Oko + Rysy

Palenica Białczańska to Morskie Oko – 8km, 2h
Morskie Oko to Czarny Staw – 1.8km, 50m
Czarny Staw to Rysy – 3km, 3h
Rysy to Czarny Staw – 3km, 2h30m
Czarny Staw to Morskie Oko – 1.8km, 40m
Morskie Oko to Palenica Białczańska – 8km, 2h
Round Trip: 25.6km, 11h

Morskie Oko to Popradske Pleso (Slovakia)

Palenica Białczańska to Morskie Oko – 8km, 2h
Morskie Oko to Czarny Staw – 1.8km, 50m
Czarny Staw to Rysy – 3km, 3h
Rysy to Chata pod Rysmi – 0.9km, 40m
Chata pod Rysmi to Popradske Pleso – 4.8km, 2h
Total Trip: 18.5km, 8h30m

Accommodation At Morskie Oko

HOW TO GET TO MORSKIE OKO

  • Krakow to Zakopane by bus, 2 hours, 18 PLN
  • Zakopane to Morskie Oko by bus, 30 minutes, 18 PLN (2023)
  • Tatra National Park fee: 5 PLN
  • From the bus stop it takes 2 hours to walk to Morskie Oko
  • A horse carriage to Morskie Oko costs 90 PLN (2023).

Morskie Oko to Rysy

Rysy is the highest mountain in Poland at 2500 metres. Its located on the mountainous border between Poland and Slovakia. The mountain provides spectacular views over the Tatras.

Rysy is located in the eastern Tatra Mountains, in the Tatra National Park in the south of Poland. The name Rysy derives from the mountain couloirs and can be translated as “cracks in the mountainside”. In the early 1800s, the name Rysy referred to all peaks surrounding Czarny Staw pod Rysami. By the late 1800s, after the naming of various features, the use of Rysy had narrowed to only the highest peak on the ridge. 

Today Rysy consists of three summits: Rysy (2500m) the highest mountain in Poland, Rysy South (2501m) in Slovakia, and Rysy South East (2472m) also in Slovakia. From the summit of Rysy is possible to distinguish 80 peaks and 13 lakes of the Tatras. In good visibility its possible to see over 200 kilometres, including Krakow (90km away) and reportedly even the outlines of the Bieszczady and Ukrainian Carpathians.

Rysy Trailhead

Its possible to reach Rysy from both Poland and Slovakia. The route from Poland is steeper and more difficult than the route from Slovakia, however, as Rysy is the highest mountain in Poland, most hikers come from the Polish side. Rysy is only two kilometres south east of the famous lake Morskie Oko, which you’ll pass if hiking from the Polish side. Both Morskie Oko and Rysy share the same trailhead at Palenica Białczańska. To reach the trailhead, you need to transit through the resort town of Zakopane. To read more on how to ge to the trailhead of Palenica Białczańska, including buses and national park fees, visit our guide for Zakopane to Morskie Oko.

Palenica Bialczanska to Morskie Oko

It takes approximately 2 hours to walk from Palenica Białczańska to Morskie Oko. For a detailed guide please visit our guide Zakopane to Morskie Oko.

Morskie Oko to Czarny Staw pod Rysami

Morskie Oko

From the edge of Morskie Oko, you’ll have a spectacular views of the High Tatras surrounding the lake which rise  up over 1000 metres, the very mountains you’ll soon be standing on top of!

The Morskie Oko Curcuit does a loop around the lake which takes an hour return. When continuing to Rysy, follow the eastern side of the lake. As soon as you leave the vicinity of the hut (Schronisko PTTK Morskie Oko) you’ll see much fewer people, those hundreds soon turn into dozens. As tempting as it may be, it is strictly prohibited to swim in the lake. This is to protect the delicate ecosystem of the lake.  The ban is enforced and you could be slapped with a fine for violating this rule.

At the southern most point of Morskie Oko is a junction; the track to the right continues circumnavigating the lake, and the track to the left begins climbing upward to the lake Czarny Staw Pod Rysami. ‘Czarny Staw Pod Rysami’ literally means ‘Black Lake below Mount Rysy’ as is so named for the dark colour it assumes when in the shadow of the mountains. Czarny Staw is 170 metres higher than Morskie Oko, at an elevation of 1583 metres. The lake is 76 metres deep, which is deeper than Morskie Oko (51 metres), making it the second deepest lake in the Tatras and the fourth deepest lake in Poland. It takes approximately 50 minutes to walk from Schronisko PTTK Morskie Oko hut to Czarny Staw Pod Rysami.

Czarny Staw pod Rysami to Rysy

Czarny Staw Pod Rysam

What they don’t tell you is that Czarny Staw Pod Rysami is far more beautiful than Morskie Oko. The water is a beautiful turquoise colour. Directly in front of Czarny Staw pod Rysami is another junction; the track to the left / east continues to Rysy, the track to the right / west leads to the pass of ‘Przelecz Pod Chlopkiem’ (2307m). The track abruptly starts to climb from here. The track grows increasingly steep and rocky and be dangerous when wet. If you’re scared of heights this isn’t the walk for you. Good footwear is essential, it doesn’t need to be boots but you need to have footwear what wont slip. There are a fews sections fitted with chains to help you on your way. 

From Czarny Staw Pod Rysami it takes approximately 2 hours to climb just under a kilometre in altitude to reach the rocky summit of Rysy (2499m) – the highest mountain in Poland. The view from the summit is truly incredible in all directions; Poland to the North, Slovakia to the South, and the mighty Tatras to the East and West.

Just a stones throw from the summit of Rysy, is the summit of Rysy South, just over the border in Slovakia. It takes literally a minute to get from one summit to the other. Rysy South is only 3 metres taller than Rysy, standing at 2501 metres.

Rysy South (2501m) from the summit of Rysy (2499m).

From the summit of Rysy you can either return the way you’ve come (back down to Morskie Oko), or continue on into Slovakia. If you don’t want to do the entire hike in a single day, you have two options. You could return to Schronisko PTTK Morskie Oko hut, or you could stay at Chata Pod Rysmi in Slovakia, which is 500 metres south of of the summit of Rysy. If you plan on continuing on into Slovakia, check out our guide for Rysy to Popradské Pleso.

The trail continues into Slovakia.

Rysy Overview

Section
Distance (km)
Duration
Elevation (m)
Palenica Białczańska
0.0
00:00
990
Palenica Białczańska to Morskie Oko
8.0
02:00
1395
Morskie Oko to Czarny Staw pod Rysami
1.8
00:50
1583
Czarny Staw pod Rysami to Rysy
3.0
03:00
2500
Rysy to Czarny Staw pod Rysami
3.0
02:30
1583
Czarny Staw pod Rysami to Morskie Oko
1.8
00:40
1395
Morskie Oko to Palenica Białczańska
8.0
02:00
990
Round Trip
25.6
11:00

Safety Advice & Important Notes

  • Be sure to check the weather prior to arrival and bring warm clothing. While only 2500 metres high, these are serious mountains. Mountain weather can change quickly and it can rain and snow any time of the year.
  • Start you’re hike early so you can maximise your day. Depending on your speed, the hike could take over 11 hours for the return trip.
  •  Wear appropriate footwear. You may see people walking to Morskie Oko in flip flops and casual footwear, this will not cut it for the mountains. The track gets very steep and good footwear in imperative. It doesn’t need to be boots but you shoes need to be secure and not slippery. 
  • Winter ascents should only be attempted by experienced mountaineers. Mountain skills and equipment such as crampons and an ice axe will be needed and the area is prone for avalanches. Over the past 100 years more than 50 people have died here. The trail on the Slovak side is closed between November 1 and June 14 each year.

The Ultimate Way to get from Poland to Slovakia

The usual way to get from Poland to Slovakia is by air, road, or rail. Though if you want a little more adventurous way, perhaps the ultimate way to get from Poland to Slovakia is by hiking over the Tatra Mountains!

This is no simple hike, you must climb Poland’s highest mountain – Rysy, standing at 2499m. That means an altitude gain of 1.6 kilometers. Don’t let that turn you off though, if you do decide to take this route you’ll be greatly rewarded. You’ll pass the beautiful lake of Morskie Oko, you’ll stand before the mighty Tatra Mountains, you’ll stand on the summit of the highest mountain in Poland, you’ll have absolutely incredible views of both Poland and Slovakia, you’ll stay in at a perfectly set lake side mountain lodge for a night, and you’ll save yourself some time and money getting to Slovakia. If you this sounds like a tempting adventure to you, read on!

Sections

Zakopane to Morskie Oko
Morskie Oko to Rysy
Rysy to Popradske Pleso
Popradske Pleso to Velicke Pleso

Access

Krakow to Zakopane – Bus, 18PLN, 2h
Zakopane to Morskie Oko Trailhead – Bus, 10PLN, 30m
Tatra National Park Entry – 5PLN

Recommended Walking Times

Trailhead to Morskie Oko – 2h
Morskie Oko to Rysy – 4h
Rysy to Popradské Pleso – 3h
Popradské Pleso to Strbské Pleso – 1h30m
Popradské Pleso to Velické Pleso – 4h
Velické Pleso to Tatranská Polianka – 2h

My Walking Times

Trailhead to Morskie Oko (1410m) – 1h36m
Morskie Oko to Czarny Staw Pod Rysami Junction – 23m
Czarny Staw Pod Rysami Junction to Czarny Staw Pod Rysami (1583m) – 14m
Czarny Staw Pod Rysami to Kociol pod Rysami (shelf) (1950m) – 1h
Kociol pod Rysami to Rysy (2499m) – 41m
Rysy North to Rysy South (2503m) – 1m
Rysy to Chata Pod Rysmi hut (2250m) – 37m?
Chata Pod Rysmi to Velké Zabie Pleso – 37m?
Velké Zabie Pleso to Popradské Pleso (1494m) – 1h
Total Up: 3h54m
Total Down: 2h04m
Total Overall: 5h58m + 25m break
–
Popradské Pleso (1494m) to Seldo pod Ostrva (1966m) – 1h5m
Seldo pod Ostrva to Batizovské Pleso (sign) 1884m – 1h12m
Batizovské Pleso to Gerlachovský Stít (2655m) – 2h24m
Gerlachovský Stít to Batizovské Pleso (1884m) – 2h05m
Batizovské Pleso to Velické Pleso (1879m) – 1h6m
Velické Pleso to Tatranská Polianka – 1h30m
Total Walking: 9h22m
–
Tatranská Polianka to Poprad – Bus/Train, EUR1-3, 30-40m