The Tatras at full throttle and a cycling reset. Our 5-day marathon (and the drive back to Szczecin)

Anyone who has ever driven from Szczecin to the Tatras does not laugh at the circus. Crossing the whole of Poland is an expedition in itself. Once you finally arrive, you want to squeeze every last drop out of these mountains. No excuses about sore legs.

Last week we did exactly that kind of 5-day marathon. Four days of Tatra grind and one day of “reset”, so we could even press the clutch on the way home.

If you are looking for a ready-made plan for an intense long weekend – here is our rundown.

Day 1: Warm-up, aka Biała Woda Valley and Litworowy Staw

After a long drive, there is no point throwing yourself at the longest trails. You need to walk off the “car knees” and get your lungs used to a different altitude. The first trail we hit was Biała Woda Valley.

• How was it? We started from Palenica Białczańska. The trail was surprisingly empty, even though it runs along the road to Morskie Oko. The first stage through the forest, along the Białka river, was fairly dull and long before we came out of the trees. The second stage was a steep climb up stone steps. Physically demanding. We walked back to the car separately and in silence.

• See our photo report from this day: Day 1 Gallery

Day 2: The real grind – Czerwone Wierchy

On day two the body usually says: “Okay, I get what we’re doing.” We shifted up a gear. We attacked Czerwone Wierchy. This was no joke.

• How was it? The wind on the ridge tried to take our heads off, but the views made up for the burning thighs and aching knees. The kabanos sausages we ate were measured in kilograms :D. Coming down from Kopa Kondracka we could not resist apple pie and a cold non-alcoholic beer.
• See our photo report from this day: Day 2 Gallery

Day 3: Crisis day and Rusinowa Polana and Gęsia Szyja

Day three in the mountains is usually “crisis day”. Lactic acid reminds you of itself on every single step. Even so, we did not back off. We chose Rusinowa Polana and Gęsia Szyja.

• How was it? By minibus to the Wierch Poroniec car park, then on to Rusinowa Polana. It was our first time there, and I can safely say it will not be the last. Beautiful weather, views, fresh warm oscypek. We could not resist climbing Gęsia Szyja. We descended on a scenic trail to Brzeziny, passing plenty of cyclists along the way.
• See our photo report from this day: Day 3 Gallery

Day 4: A farewell to the Tatras on Chochołowska Valley, Grześ and Rakoń

The last day in the high mountains. We had to close it with a bang. We climbed Grześ and Rakoń from Siwa Polana.

• How was it? A fairly late start because of the rain. Sunny weather greeted us at Siwa Polana. The mountain hut had no blueberry dumplings, so we set off to bag Grześ. Photos, kabanos, and then it was time to climb Rakoń. A gusty wind tried to talk us out of it, but it failed. On the summit it was blowing like hell, so we headed towards Wołowiec. After a short council of war on the way down, we decided to descend towards the hut and Siwa Polana instead. It was a great decision – we only reached the bottom after 6 p.m. We managed to catch the Rakoń tourist train and ride it back to the car (an extra attraction). Next time, riding the boring stretch by bike will be a good idea :).
• See our photo report from this day: Day 4 Gallery

Day 5: Velo Czorsztyn (Instead of crying on the Zakopianka)

And this is the life hack I have to share with you! On the last day we had the drive back to Szczecin waiting for us. Getting into the car at 8 a.m. with legs like concrete from DOMS is torture. On top of that, sitting in traffic leaving Zakopane drains all the joy from the holiday.

We did it differently. We packed up in the morning, escaped Podhale and drove to Czorsztyn.

Instead of walking, we rented bikes and set off on the famous Velo Czorsztyn route.

• Why is this a brilliant idea? Cycling is the best active recovery for tired legs. The movement is smooth, the knees do not take the pounding they get on a rocky descent, and the lactic acid nicely “leaves” the muscles.
• The views: The route runs right above the surface of the lake. Along the way you pass Niedzica Castle and Czorsztyn Castle. The infrastructure is simply alpine – smooth tarmac, little bridges, rest areas.
• See our photo report from Velo Czorsztyn: Day 5 Gallery

After completing the loop (we did not take the ferry), we got in the car and… headed north. Legs loosened up, heads full of impressions, and we avoided the worst hours on the Zakopianka.

If you are planning a long drive home after intense hiking in the Tatras – Velo Czorsztyn is the best mountain “detox” you can treat yourself to. Highly recommended!