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Białego Valley in winter – a short walk above Zakopane where it all started

Białego Valley in winter: about 2 h of walking straight from Zakopane, Biały Stream under snow, icy footbridges, microspikes and how to handle the short day.

Author: Konrad Leśniak6 min read

Białego Valley in winter – a short walk above Zakopane where it all started

February 2023 was my first trip to Zakopane. Until then I thought the only mountains worth visiting were around Karpacz. A few days in snowbound Zakopane, including a walk up Białego Valley, was enough for me to fall in love with the Tatras. There’s still no cure, and this blog is one of the symptoms.

The photos from that day show what the valley looks like after heavy snowfall: Biały Stream runs between pillows of snow, the spruces bend under the weight, and the path is trodden into deep powder. It’s one of the best places for a first taste of the winter Tatras – it starts almost in town and needs no experience at all.

💡 In a nutshell – Białego Valley in winter:

  1. Route: the yellow trail along the valley floor up to Ścieżka nad Reglami and back – about 5 km, about 300 m of ascent, about 2 h of walking without breaks.
  2. Shorter version: just the lower part along the stream – about 3.5 km and about 1 h 20 min.
  3. Start: about 15 min on foot from the Wielka Krokiew ski jump. No car or minibus needed.
  4. Slippery: the wooden footbridges and stones by the stream ice over easily – pack microspikes.
  5. Nothing on the way: no hut, no snack bar, no toilets. Bring a thermos and a snack.

The route along the valley floor

Hikers on the snowy trail in Białego Valley in winter
Hikers on the snowy trail in Białego Valley in winter

You start at the mouth of the valley, about a 15-minute walk from the Wielka Krokiew ski jump. After the TPN ticket booth you join the yellow trail, which runs along the floor of a narrow gorge beside Biały Stream. The path crosses the stream many times on wooden footbridges, passing small cascades, little waterfalls and potholes carved into the rock.

In the middle of the valley, on the left side of the trail, you’ll see a barred opening in the rock. It’s what remains of uranium prospecting in the 1950s – back then the valley was closed to visitors and guarded by the army.

In its upper part the trail leaves the stream and zigzags up to the junction with Ścieżka nad Reglami (black trail). That’s the end of the walking variant, and you return the same way.

There and back is about 5.1 km, about 305 m of ascent and about 2 h 10 min of walking. In winter, after fresh snow, allow more – in our photos the path is trodden into deep powder, and in those conditions you’re noticeably slower.

Full description with map and variants: Białego Valley.

What to watch out for in winter

Snow-covered signpost in Białego Valley
Snow-covered signpost in Białego Valley

Białego Valley is an easy trail, but in winter the gorge has its traps:

  • Footbridges and stones by the stream. The gorge is damp and cold, and the sun barely reaches it. Footbridges and steps by the water ice over quickly, even when the rest of the path is just snow.
  • The zigzags below Ścieżka nad Reglami. A narrower, rocky path that gets unpleasant when icy on the way down. If it’s very slippery, turn back earlier – the lower part along the stream is the prettiest anyway.
  • The stream banks. The snow pillows over the water look solid, but underneath there’s air or ice. Don’t step onto them for a photo.

Microspikes are the best insurance here – a few hundred grams and on in a minute. Crampons and an ice axe aren’t needed. More on gear: crampons or microspikes – winter gear for the Tatras.

Short days and the night-time ban

The valley is deep and shaded, so it gets dark there earlier than in town. In December dusk comes around 15:30.

Until 30 November, walking on trails in Tatra National Park (TPN) is banned from dusk to dawn, and from 1 December between 22:00 and 5:00. For this walk it’s enough to start before noon, but a headlamp in your backpack never hurts.

Check the TPN trail bulletin before you go. On 4 November 2026 there were no closures in this valley; lower trails were muddy, with patches of frozen snow.

Getting there and parking

This is Białego Valley’s biggest advantage: you walk straight out of Zakopane. The nearest car parks are on Bronisława Czecha Street near Wielka Krokiew, and from there it’s about 15 minutes on foot to the valley entrance. If you’re staying in the centre, you can walk the whole way.

You can buy the TPN ticket at the booth or in advance: how to buy a TPN ticket online. Parking and minibuses for other trails: parking, buses and getting to the trails in the Tatras.

Who this route is for in winter

For anyone who wants to see the winter Tatras up close but only has half a day: beginners, families, and people who came to Zakopane “for the town” but want to step into the mountains at least once. With small children in winter, a sledge or a carrier works better than a pushchair – in summer a pushchair manages the lower part, but on snow it’s hit and miss.

Dogs aren’t allowed (TPN ban). And don’t expect tea or apple pie in the valley – bring your own thermos.

If you have more time and good legs, from Ścieżka nad Reglami you can make a loop over Sarnia Skała and Strążyska Valley. And if you prefer a longer but flat walk, see Kościeliska Valley in winter.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Białego Valley take in winter?

Up to Ścieżka nad Reglami and back is about 5.1 km and about 2 h 10 min of walking without breaks. After fresh snow, allow more. The lower part along the stream alone takes about 1 h 20 min.

Do you need microspikes in Białego Valley in winter?

It’s worth having them. The footbridges and stones by the stream ice over easily, and the zigzags in the upper part are rocky. Crampons and an ice axe aren’t needed.

Is there a mountain hut in Białego Valley?

No. There’s no snack bar or toilets either. Bring your own food and a hot drink.

Is Białego Valley good for a first winter visit to the Tatras?

Yes. It starts in Zakopane, it’s short, there are no chains, and you can turn back at any point. For me, that’s exactly where my Tatra story began.

Where to park for Białego Valley?

Closest is Bronisława Czecha Street near Wielka Krokiew. From there it’s about 15 minutes on foot to the valley entrance.

Photos from my first visit to Zakopane: gallery – February 2023.

What about you – do you remember your first time in the Tatras? Where was it?

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