Enjoy Summer in Zakopane! Spectacular Hiking in the Tatra Mountains and Recommended Spots

Zakopane, located in southern Poland, is a mountain resort town nestled at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. While it may not be well-known among Japanese travelers, it’s a popular destination for tourists—offering hiking in the summer and skiing or winter trekking in the colder months.

The Tatra Mountains, which form the border with Slovakia, might even rival the mountain regions of Switzerland or Italy.

In this article, I’ve put together the highlights of Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains in summer.

1.About Zakopane and Tatra Mountains

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Zakopane is a mountain resort town at the foot of the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland. It offers a wide range of outdoor activities such as hiking, trekking, and skiing, all set against breathtaking natural scenery. The town is also known for its traditional wooden architecture, local handicrafts, and relaxing hot springs.

Located near the border of Poland and Slovakia, Zakopane sits at an altitude of around 800 meters. Most of the Tatra Mountains themselves lie within Slovak territory.

Since Zakopane is a mountain resort, it gets extremely crowded during holiday seasons—especially in summer (July to August) and around Christmas—when many Polish travelers flock here. If you’d like to avoid the crowds and enjoy hiking in peace, I recommend exploring other mountain regions such as Bieszczady or Karkonosze.

By the way, dogs are generally not allowed inside the Tatra National Park. This is unusual, since most mountain areas in Poland are dog-friendly—but this park is the exception (with only a few small areas where dogs are permitted).

Also, when people talk about “Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains,” they’re actually referring to a vast area. That means there’s plenty to discover, and it’s worth visiting multiple times to experience different parts.

2.Transportation & Access (Bus, Car, Train)

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I live in Gdynia, in the far north of Poland, and recently it has become possible to take a direct train from Gdynia to Zakopane. Trains are generally more reliable and comfortable than buses, so I always prefer using them. However, during the busy summer and winter holiday seasons, they can get extremely crowded, so I recommend booking tickets well in advance. You can reserve your tickets here.

Access from Kraków to Zakopane

By Train

The journey takes about 3 to 3.5 hours, with one-way fares ranging from 40 to 70 PLN (approximately 1,200–2,100 yen). Trains are comfortable and a great way to enjoy the scenery along the way. However, they run less frequently than buses, so it’s recommended to check the timetable in advance.

By Bus

Direct buses to Zakopane depart from Kraków’s MDA Bus Station. The trip takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours, with fares around 20–30 PLN (approximately 800–1,200 yen) one-way. Buses run frequently, giving you flexibility depending on your travel time.

By Car

Zakopane is about 110 km from Kraków, and driving usually takes 2 to 2.5 hours. Using the main highways, it’s a convenient option for those comfortable with driving. If renting a car, travel time may vary slightly depending on road conditions and traffic.

3.Tatra National Park – Entrance Fees

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Since the Tatra Mountains are part of a national park, an entrance fee is required.

Most major hiking trailheads have ticket counters, but some do not. In those cases, you can purchase tickets online using your smartphone.

Tickets are available on the official website.

4.Recommendations

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Cafe:

LA MANO Speciality Coffee & Wine

If you want to enjoy authentic specialty coffee, this is the place to go. The café has a great atmosphere, and the staff are friendly and kind. The flat white I had here was absolutely delicious. You can also purchase beans roasted by this trendy Polish café.

Accommodation: Apartamenty & Pokoje MyWy

The balcony offers an incredible view!

Located just 300 meters from Tatra National Park, Apartamenty & Pokoje MyWy is highly recommended for those visiting Zakopane mainly for hiking.

I stayed in a private loft-style room with a shower and toilet. The property also offers a garden, terrace, shared kitchen, and even a coffee maker—perfect for coffee lovers.

Even though I arrived late at night, the host gave me a warm welcome, making it easy to feel at home. Thanks to her hospitality, I was able to truly relax.

Even for someone sensitive to noise like me, I slept soundly despite having other guests nearby. The building itself is modern and clean.

I stayed here in the summer of 2024, and it was an excellent value for money.

A few points to note:

it’s more than a 30-minute walk from the center of Zakopane, so it might be challenging for those who prefer not to walk. Also, there’s no supermarket nearby, so I recommend picking up any essentials in the town center before heading to the accommodation.

5.Zakopane Specialty: Oscypek

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A must try food at Zakopane’s street stalls is Oscypek, a traditional smoked cheese from the Tatra Mountains.

Image by Park Białowieski

It’s shaped like a small barrel.

Made from sheep’s milk, Oscypek is salty and has a firm, springy texture. It’s perfect as a beer snack, and a popular way to enjoy it is grilled and served with cranberry sauce. That’s actually my favorite way to eat it!

6.Recommended Trails (Hiking Routes)

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The Zakopane and Tatra Mountains cover a wide area, so it’s difficult to access all trails from a single accommodation. I recommend either visiting multiple times or changing your lodging to enjoy different hikes. If you have the time, consider staying for an extended period.

1. Giewont：For Intermediate Hikers

Giewont is a 1,894-meter-high mountain and the most popular trail in Zakopane, often considered a symbol of the town.

It’s also called the “Sleeping Knight” and is known as a local legend and a religious symbol. The shape of the mountain is said to resemble a reclining human figure. (Now that you mention it, I can see why!)

At the summit stands an iron cross about 15 meters tall, a symbol of Poland’s Christian faith. You’ll often see similar iron crosses on the peaks of many other Polish mountains. I always wonder—how on earth did someone manage to build it up there? It’s quite impressive.

The summit is quite narrow, and there’s barely enough space to take photos.

There are several routes, but in general, the trail is accessible even for beginners during the summer. Toward the end of the hike, however, there’s a section with rocks where you need to use chains to climb—a thrilling experience! The summit area is narrow, though, so it can get a bit crowded.

Still, the second half of the trail takes you along the mountain slopes, offering absolutely stunning views!

2.Morskie Oko ：For Beginner Hikers

Morskie Oko is one of Poland’s most beautiful lakes. Its name means “Eye of the Sea,” and it’s a glacial lake located at an altitude of 1,395 meters.

In the background, the highest peak in Poland, Rysy (2,503 meters), towers above the lake. On clear days, you can see the mountain reflected in the lake, creating a truly magical scene.

From Zakopane, you can reach the parking area by bus or car, and from there it’s an 8-kilometer walk along a concrete path. The trail is popular, so it’s not very quiet.

Buses run fairly frequently, but they are small, so it’s a good idea to purchase tickets online in advance. The bus stop is here, and make sure to arrive about 15 minutes early.

Once you reach the lake, you’ll find trails around it. If you head to the left, there’s a steep hill you can climb—highly recommended, as it offers spectacular views overlooking the lake.

You can also see the source of the waterfall.

As you climb higher, you’ll also find a tarn—a small mountain lake formed in a natural hollow—which adds to the area’s mystical atmosphere.

もちろんここから山に登ることもできますが、帰りのバスの時間をチェックすることも忘れずに。

3.Kasprowy Wierch：For Beginner Hikers

*Without using the cable car, this route is suitable for intermediate hikers.

Kasprowy Wierch is a 1,987-meter-high mountain.

You can take a cable car to the summit and explore the area on foot. On clear days, the panoramic views of both Poland and Slovakia are absolutely spectacular.

The summit is quite spacious, so there’s plenty of room to walk around.

Walking along the mountain ridge is absolutely amazing.

It can get a bit busy, but the summit is big enough that it doesn’t feel crowded at all!

Access and Cable Car

The cable car departing from Kuźnice is very convenient. Built in 1936, the ride takes about 20 minutes and offers quite impressive views along the way. The round-trip fare is 139 PLN (around 5,200 yen)—not cheap, but definitely worth it.

Depending on the season and weather, the cable car usually runs from around 8 a.m. until the evening, and tickets can be reserved online in advance. When I visited, it was just after the busy season, and I was able to board without any issues.

Of course, you can also hike to the summit without taking the cable car, which typically takes about three hours.

4.Dolina Chochołowska

Dolina Chochołowska is a valley renowned for its vast natural beauty and tranquility. It’s also famous for its fairytale-like scenery, complete with grazing sheep. Plus, it’s the only place in the Tatra Mountains where dogs are allowed!

Access

The nearest parking area is Siwa Polana, which provides access to the valley entrance. From Zakopane, it’s about a 30-minute drive to Siwa Polana. You can also reach it on foot; the trail isn’t paved, but it’s comfortable to walk.

The trail leading to the parking area is also beautiful, filled with flowers along the way.

Connection to Mountain Trails

Dolina Chochołowska links to other hiking routes, making it perfect for active hikers aiming for nearby peaks or lakes. In fact, I found the valley alone wasn’t quite enough, so I continued hiking up into the mountains from here.

The trail to Dolina Chochołowska is gentle, so from there I continued on to climb another mountain.

Highlights of Dolina Chochołowska

1.Schronisko na Polanie Chochołowskiej (Chochołowska Mountain Hut)

At the far end of the valley, you’ll find a mountain hut called Schronisko na Polanie Chochołowskiej. It’s a great spot to take a break and enjoy local food and drinks. In winter, warm soups are popular, while in summer, a cold beer hits the spot.

2.Traditional Wooden Architecture

Scattered throughout the valley are traditional Polish wooden buildings, giving the area a pastoral, picturesque atmosphere. These structures are remnants of historic mountain life and make for fantastic photo opportunities.