Valley of Five Lakes - Hiking through Roztoka Valley
Town: Zakopane - Łysa Polana
How to get to the Valley of Five Lakes?
The easiest route to the Valley of Five Lakes is the green trail leading through the Roztoka Valley. From Zakopane, you can take a bus to Morskie Oko (or drive your own car) and park at Łysa Polana (the final stop).
Follow the trail to Morskie Oko
The beginning of the trail is an asphalt road, crowded with people, and marked with red signs leading to Morskie Oko. It takes about 1 hour to walk. Just past the Mickiewicz Waterfalls, turn onto the green trail that leads uphill through the forest - this is the Roztoka Valley.
Roztoka Valley
The path starts as a rocky, wide road that goes steeply uphill and then gradually levels out. In the middle section of the trail, it gently ascends through the forest. We reach a clearing called Nowa Roztoka - we are halfway there, and from here, you can see the Orla Perć ridge.
The most challenging part is the final ascent to the mountain hut. The green trail, which goes by the Siklawa Waterfall, is easier (unavailable in winter!), while the black trail is steeper. Both routes are not technically difficult, there are no chains or dangerous sections, the stones on the path are even and comfortable to walk on. The difficulty lies in overcoming the significant difference in altitude.
Phew! We made it!
The Valley of Five Lakes is considered one of the most beautiful valleys in the Tatra Mountains. It is home to the highest located mountain hut in Poland and the deepest lake in the Tatras! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6! The Valley of Five Lakes actually has six lakes - however, the smallest one, Wole Oko, is a seasonal lake that dries up during certain times of the year. The largest and deepest of the lakes is Wielki Staw Polski (the one near the mountain hut).
From the Valley of Five Lakes to Morskie Oko
This is a more challenging but incredibly scenic hike! We climb 300 meters uphill and then descend 500 meters downhill to Morskie Oko. The trail itself is not technically difficult. From Morskie Oko, we can return to Palenica Białczańska on the asphalt road, where there are parking lots and bus stops for buses going to Zakopane. From the Valley of Five Lakes to Morskie Oko >>
Publish Date: 2016-12-31
More in the Region Zakopane (Zakopane)
Total Length 152 km
