Long week-end in Zakopane without missing the best attractions! Part 1 – ACTIVE OPTIONS

We’ve been living In Zakopane for 3 years and are happy to profit it’s beauty every day. But before, we had to drive through half of Poland to get here and use as much as possible during those 2 or 3 days.

ACTIVE, EXPLORATORY OR RELAXING – which holidays model do you prefer?

During many years of living away from the Tatra Mountains, we have developed a few recipes  for a successful week-end here, to have both entertainment and relaxation.

Of course, everyone has different expectations for their own holidays, but we’ll try to show you a few scenarios that we think are the best.

WEEK-END IN ZAKOPANE ACTIVE PEOPLE

Hiking week-end

Tatra Mountains offer countless of trails with stunning views and very nice mountains huts! But don’t worry – you don’t need to sleep in a mountains hut to explore deep and wild parts of the Tatras – these mountains are very accessible and you can plan 2x one day hiking trips that will knock off your legs 😉

Day 1 – Arrival and half-day trip

Knowing the time of your arrival, you can plan a short mountains trip.

If you are staying in Zakopane, it is good to take a cable car that goes to the top of the Mount Kasprowy Wierch(always buy your tickets earlier – the popularity is huge and the amount of tickets is very limited!). You will reach the peak in 20 minutes. From there you can choose a moderate easy trail to Przełęcz pod Kopą Kondracką. The trail is really beautiful. It leads through narrow path on the edge of the mountains. Your trip is supported by spectacular views J From Przełęcz pod Kopą Kondracką you choose a way down to Hala Kondratowa. In Hala Kondratowa’s mountain hut you can drink a tea and watch breathtaking views all around. Then you  choose a trail that leads you back to Kuźnice – a place where you started the trip.  The whole trip should take 5 hours.

Day 2 – Valley of Five Polish Lakes

On the second day of your long week-end we strongly recommend that you visit one of the most beautiful Valley in the Tatras – Valley of Five Polish Lakes. You will also pass by Morskie Oko, which is a “must see” for many tourists. Its beauty is directly proportional to the crowd that you come across there during the high season. Happily, your goal is to reach a valley located higher and deeper in the mountains.

You start in Palenica Białczańska located 20 km away from Zakopane. Then you take an asphalt trail to Morskie Oko. Not very exciting, but worth the sacrifice J From Morskie Oko you choose trail through Świstówka and finally you reach a hut located in the heart of the Valley of Five Polish Lakes. If your batteries in camera are charged, we are sure that you will use most of them!

From Valley of Five Polish Lakes  you go to Dolina Roztoki, which is your way down and then to Palenica Białczańska. The whole trip should take 8-9 hours.

From Palenica Białczańska you should go straight to Termy Bukovina Thermal Baths. Relaxation in the outside thermal pools will be a balm for your tired body.

Day 3 – Visit Zakopane before you leave!

Before you leave Zakopane, take a 2-hours trip with an English speaking guide. Zakopane has so many hidden places  to visit and to hear about. The guide will tell you many interesting stories about local life, people, cuisine and unique traditions.

If you do not want to take a guide, choose a walk from Wielka Krokiew Ski Jumping Hill to Krupówki Street and then to Kościeliska street. Cementary Pęksowy Brzyzek – not to be missed!

Biking week-end

Biking in Zakopane and the Podhale region is a dynamically developing topic. Every year there are dozens kilometers of new cycling routes and single tracks for MTB lovers. That is why if you are a biking passionate, you will not regret spending long week-end by the foot of the Tatra Mountains and Mount Babia Góra.

If you have only 2-3 days in Zakopane for biking, it is best to take a biking guide/instructor at least for the first day of your stay. You will then be sure that you will go to the best possible places. We have many cycling and biking trails but the signs and descriptions of them are rather poor.

Day 1 – Arrival and short biking reconnaissance with a guide

As soon as you arrive and check in the hotel, a biking guide will meet you either in the hotel (if you have your own bikes) or in the bike rental point (if you need to rent bikes).

You will go for a ride in Zakopane and Gubałówka hill. You will discover beautiful nooks and crannies of the city on a bike!

Day 2 – Biking/ cycling

Depending on what type of cycling you prefer, you can choose MTB trails near Babia Góra or go for a cycling day through hills of Gubałówka, Szczurówki and Dutkówka. Good asphalt, very little traffic and amazing views of the Tatras! Be aware that we are in mountains so uphill climbs can be very demanding.

If you choose Babia Góra single trails, you will have to take a private bus to get there (60 km one way), but it is worth the journey! Dozens of kilometers of amazing single tracks with all levels of difficulty will satisfy the biking hunger of everyone! 🙂

After all day biking we recommend spending an evening in Termy Chochołwskie thermal baths. You will let your tired body relax in warm, health water.

Day 3 – Something crazy?

How about jumping from 2 wheels into 4 wheels? ATV adventure is a great idea to discover other parts of the Tatra region.  If you have enough time before your flight back, we recommend  booking an adventurous ATV ride with English speaking guide.

Do not forget take some clothes for change. Despite protective clothing you will get dirty during the trip.

Extreme week-end

For extreme sports lovers and adrenaline addicts we have a lot to recommend! However be aware that most of the adrenaline activities are dependent on weather, which is capricious which is normal for mountains.

Anyway, if you are lucky enough to encounter nice weather, you will be amazed with skydiving, rafting and ATV trip!

Day 1 – ATV

As soon as you arrive, you should go for 2-hours ATV trip. It is a real treat for adventure lovers. You will drive through off road terrain : forests, hills, streams, muds… loads of emotions and great fun guaranteed!

Day 2 – Skydiving & rafting

If the weather is good, you can spend a totally crazy day! In the morning you go to an airport, take a plane and rise up to the sky. Then you pray a bit and… jump! Do you know the feeling when all the bad things suddenly fly away, the body becomes light, the mind is fresh, and life is twice as beautiful? Well, this is what you get when skydiving. Then you spread your parachute and glide over hills, meadows, forests – it’s amazing!

After skydiving you go another 70 kilometers to get on a pontoon and go for river rafting. It will not be as extreme as skydiving, but for sure will bring a lot of entertainment and stunning views!

Day 3 – visiting

If you have some spare time left, we recommend short city visiting with a guide. The guide will show you interesting places in Zakopane and will tell you a lot of things about local life, highlander culture and cuisine. Then you are ready to leave lovely Zakopane.

Mountaineering

Something for true mountain lovers. Mountaineering in the Tatras is being perceived as one of the most amazing in Europe. The experience is similar to one you can get in the Alpes, but the access to the advanced trails and ridges is way better and easier than in the Alps. If you take a cable car to Mount Kasprowy Wierch, you will start your mountaineering adventure within 2 dozens of minutes!

As we suggest doing two full mountaineering days, this option is for those who have at least 4 days to spend in Poland. If you have only 3 days, just skip day 2 or 3 from the below plan and voila! 🙂

Day 1 – Arrival and short trip

Depending on the time of your arrival, you can go for hiking trip to get familiar with the Tatra Mountains. There are so many trails leading from Kuźnice to the deeper parts of the Tatras. If you take a guide, he/she will show you around, tell you a lot about the climate, the mountains, the peaks, the fauna and flora and some interesting stories and legends related to the Tatras.

In the evening you shoud go to Gubałówka from where you can admire beautiful panorama of Zakopane and the Tatras. Using a big map on the top of the hill, you can spot all the mountain peaks that you can see from the terrace. Highly recommended!

Day 2 – Grań Kościelców

Ther are two attractions waiting for you – a cable car to Mount Kasprowy Wierch and a scrambling day! Grań Kościelcow is a moderate mountaineering adventure with a licensed guide. After you get to Mount Kasprowy Wierch, you will go down to the foot of Mount Kościelec where you will start your mountaineering trip. You will be accompanied by amazing views, abyss (which triggers adrenaline )  and some climbing challenges.

After a whole day of climbing and hiking down you deserve relaxation! Podhale region is rich in thermal water thus there are several thermal pools in the area. The newest thermal baths are located in Chochołów. Termy Chchołowskie thermal baths consist of inside and outside pools, jacuzzis, saunas and slides – everything made for entertainment and relaxation at the same time

Day 3 – Grań Mięguszy

Grań Mięguszy is an amazing ridge rising above famous Lake Morskie Oko . Therefore the trip is rich in stunning views and the best quality of mountaineering.
Due to the solid rock, small technical difficulties and extraordinary beauty, this ridge is an obvious choice of novice mountaineers. Time for you to hit the rock and check another beautiful scrambling trail in your mountain diary.

After such an adventurous day we advise you to drink a beer in a local pub 🙂

DO YOU WISH TO SPEND ACTIVE LONG WEEK-END IN ZAKOPANE?

Contact us! We will prepare a full, detailed plan for you!

email: tatraheroes@gmail.com