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Hala Stoły - Scenic Meadow in the Kościeliska Valley

Nearby: Zakopane

Region:

Zakopane (Zakopane), Tatry (Tatra Mountains), Małopolskie (Małopolskie)

straighten 1.7km

timer 1h 19min

north_east 358m

south_east 2m

Medium - For young hikers, steep sections possible

Route Map

The slope of the terrain

Hala Stoły (1340 m) - Trail for Children

Hala Stoły is a meadow with old shepherd huts and a picturesque view in the Kościeliska Valley. The approach to Hala Stoły is not technically difficult and can be conquered by preschoolers, although it requires some fitness as we ascend about 360 meters. The trail to Polana Stoły is a great option for leaving the wide valley roads and experiencing your first adventure in the "real" mountains. Can you recognize Giewont from the meadow? From its perspective, it doesn't resemble a sleeping knight at all!

Resting on Polana Stoły - the pointed peak on the left is the summit of Giewont

Trail Start and Access

We begin our hike in the Kościeliska Valley (paid parking lots for cars are available before entering the valley) and initially follow a wide path through the valley. Pay attention to the blue trail that branches off towards Hala Stoły - that's what we're looking for! The path starts with rocky terrain and gradually ascends into the forest, becoming slightly more rugged and steep higher up.

Start of the blue trail to Hala Stoły in the Kościeliska Valley

Initially, there are no views, but after the second bend, the mountains slowly emerge between the trees.

Withered Spruces

The trail leads us through patches of withered spruces - dry tree stumps are visible almost everywhere. In the 19th century, the natural forests were almost completely cleared for the needs of nearby steel mills. The obtained wood was burned in furnaces used to smelt iron ore. To replenish the forest, spruces were planted. However, these artificially introduced trees on unfamiliar terrain turned out to be susceptible to pests and fungi. Spruces have a shallow root system despite their wide range. Due to water scarcity, they became weakened and vulnerable to pests, which the spruce bark beetle takes advantage of.

Niżna Polana on Stoły

Initially, we reach a small meadow often mistaken by tourists as the final destination - this is Niżna Polana on Stoły. From here, there is a beautiful view, but it's worth walking a bit further...

Hala Stoły

It is a mountain pasture located on the massif called Stoły. There are three historic and best-preserved wooden shepherd huts in the Tatras on Hala Stoły.

The blue trail continues until it reaches the peak of the meadow, but it is forested, so we leave the open meadow behind. If you want to save some energy, you can stay near the shepherd huts without feeling guilty and satisfy your curiosity by looking at our photo :)

Hala Stoły - a Distinctive Landscape Feature

After visiting the meadow, we had the opportunity to see it for the rest of our stay in the Tatras because it is distinctive and easily recognizable. It can be clearly seen, for example, from Przysłop Miętusi. Look! See how high we were!