The Ultimate Guide to Hiking Rysy Mountain
Glistening alpine lakes, jagged mountain peaks, dramatic landscapes and an incredibly rewarding challenge. Read our complete guide on hiking Rysy Mountain for everything you need to know to conquer the highest peak in Poland.
Standing at 2,500 metres, Rysy Mountain is the highest peak in Poland and rewards hikers with spectacular mountain views and shimmering alpine lakes nestled underneath majestic peaks.
Rysy is located in the Tatra Mountains, the highest mountains in the Carpathians which form a natural border between Slovakia and Poland. It can be hiked from either country and this guide is on hiking Rysy from Poland.
Rysy Mountain is also the tallest peak in the Tatras you can climb without a guide, making it one of the most popular hikes in Zakopane.
This guide to hiking Rysy Mountain is split into sections that naturally break up the hike, making it super easy to follow.
The first section is the hike to Morskie Oko; a stunning lake with a dramatic mountain backdrop. Then, the hike to Czarny Staw, another beautiful alpine lake nestled at the base of jagged mountain peaks and finally up to Rysy Peak.
Before we get into the hike, we’ll quickly share a few essential bits of information and we’ll end the guide with everything else you need to know.
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Contents
Essential Information on Hiking Rysy Mountain
Where to stay for the Rysy Mountain Hike
The trailhead for hiking Rysy is at Palenica Białczańska, around 30 minutes from the beautiful mountain town of Zakopane so we’d recommend staying there.
You can either drive to Palenica Białczańska and park for 35 PLN per day or there are regular shuttle buses from Zakopane costing around 18 PLN (these costs change regularly so may not be completely accurate when you go).
Our top tip: shuttles fill up incredibly quickly as one of the most popular places to visit in the Tatra Mountains is Morskie Oko Lake which is on the way to hiking Rysy. We caught the 7:15am bus and it filled up very quickly and the car park was already half full when we arrived.
There are also many great things to do in Zakopane so, if time allows, spend a few days appreciating the landscapes and beauty of this area.
If you have limited time, you can do the Rysy Mountain Hike in a day from Krakow. Renting a car and driving will take around 2 hours so leave early (ideally around 6am).
How long is the Rysy Mountain Hike?
The hike is approximately 25 kilometres out and back and will take between 8 and 11 hours depending on your fitness and how often you stop. It took us 9 hours.
Read on for the complete guide on hiking Rysy and everything else you need to know.
Guide to Hiking Rysy Mountain in the Tatra Mountains
Hiking to Morskie Oko
You’ll start at Palenica Białczańska Car Park and hiking to Morskie Oko is 7.9 kilometres and will take between 1.5 and 2 hours (1.5 if you get a good pace on).
This section is one of the busiest hikes in Zakopane if not the busiest as Morskie Oko is one of the most beautiful and popular places to visit in the Tatra Mountains. We’d recommend starting the hike by 8am, earlier if you can.
The hike to Morskie Oko isn’t overly exciting. A flat paved road full of people and horses and carts carrying those who don’t want to walk.
The views of the Tatra Mountains looming in the distance, however, are incredible. Jagged mountain peaks rising above the trees make this hike along the road worth it as you can see what you’re heading towards.
Our Top Tip: please please please don’t use the horses and carts. They’re treated horrendously and it’s fairly common for them to die on this route as they’re worked too hard.
After almost 8 kilometres you’ll reach the shores of Morskie Oko and what a sight!
The lake is absolutely spectacular! Its crystal clear waters lie peacefully at the bottom of dramatic mountain peaks. Morskie Oko is the largest lake in the Tatra Mountains and is located at 1,395 metres above sea level.
Here, you’ll find a mountain hostel with a large outdoor seating area on the shores of Morskie Oko; perfect for a beer on your way back!
Czarny Staw
After you’ve spent a bit of time indulging in the views of Morskie Oko, take the path to the left. This is where the Rysy Mountain Hike becomes really beautiful.
Rather than a wide paved road full of people, you’ll follow a narrow stone path running alongside the lake for a while.
You’ll then veer off to the left and here the path gets quite steep. It’s fairly easy to hike, just a little tiring.
Czarny Staw is 1.6 kilometres from Morskie Oko and should take between 30 and 45 minutes. This is where the views become something else.
Turn around and admire the incredible viewpoint over Morskie Oko, the High Tatra peaks and the entire valley.
Czarny Staw literally means “Black Pond” and lies at an altitude of 1,583 metres. Again, this lake is nestled at the bottom of dramatic soaring peaks.
Our Top Tip: this is a great spot for your first proper break. Most people stop at Morskie Oko for the day so Czarny Staw isn’t as busy (it won’t be quiet as this is a very popular hike but it’ll be quieter than Morskie Oko).
Rysy Mountain Peak; the highest peak in Poland
Now the fun begins…
From Czarny Staw to Rysy Peak is 3 kilometres and will take around 3 hours.
The first hour and a half isn’t too strenuous. The path is more natural and rugged, however, so be careful of your footing but the large rocks are pretty stable to scramble up.
You’ll then reach a huge rock offering you an incredible view over Morskie Oko and Czarny Staw. This is the best spot for a break before the final stretch to the summit. You’re going to need some energy!
From here, the path is very steep to the top, which will take about an hour and a half. The nice and friendly large stable rocks have been replaced with loose stone rubble which is quite slippery.
At parts, there are fixed chains which are helpful as you’ll be scrambling up some areas which are completely exposed with large drops below.
I didn’t enjoy this section of the hike to Rysy Peak. It’s busy with people hiking up the same way as you and also coming up and over from the Slovakian side. There’s not much space to manoeuvre around people and bizarrely there are lots of people hiking in trainers or Converse slipping all over the place and sending loose rocks down the mountain. So, be careful!!
The views behind you however are amazing so when you’re at a safe place, turn around…
Rysy Mountain actually has three peaks. They’re very close together and from the first one, you need to cross a narrow exposed rock bridge to get to the others.
We stayed at the first peak as it was incredibly windy and we didn’t feel safe going over the bridge with no chains. There was also a queue of people waiting on the bridge in either direction with sheer drops on either side of them – no thank you.
The 360-degree panoramic views of the Tatra Mountains from this first peak are just as spectacular. Surrounding you are majestic sharp peaks with the turquoise waters of Morskie Oko and Czarny Staw far below.
You feel on top of the world up here for sure!!
Sit for a while appreciating the magnificence of where you are and then safely make your way back down the way you came.
Remember to stop at the Morskie Oko Hut for a well-deserved beer!
Everything Else to Know Before Hiking Rysy
What to wear to hike the highest peak in Poland
Good hiking shoes are an absolute must!! We saw a lot of people hiking in trainers or Converse/Vans and it was so dangerous. Once you reach the loose stone rubble, it’s very slippery and these shoes have no grip. People were sliding all over the place and sending loose bits of rock tumbling down the mountain putting those behind them in danger of being hit.
Layers! The weather in the Tatra Mountains is very unpredictable and can change at any moment. Rysy Peak is also very exposed with high winds so it gets chilly.
Do I need hiking experience?
For this hike, yes and to be in good physical condition. Until you reach Czarny Staw, if you’re an inexperienced hiker you’ll be fine as the path is well-maintained and it’s not too steep but from here the path is quite sketchy.
Sadly, this path has on average 11 accidents a year which is the highest in the Tatra Mountains. We’re not saying this to put you off but have your wits about you and be realistic about your abilities.
The peak can get exceptionally busy as you can also hike Rysy from Slovakia. Quite a few people hike up the Slovakian side, as it’s supposed to be easier, and down the Polish side. This results in lots of people going in different directions as you’re nearing the summit.
Unfortunately, we found some people had no care in the world for anyone but themselves and just come barging down, waiting for no one, sending loose rocks flying.
We hope you’ve found this guide to hiking Rysy Mountain helpful. If you have any questions or want to say hi, feel free to leave a comment below. And make sure you’re following us on Instagram to stay up to date with us in real time. Also, check out our other European guides below.
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