autumnweatherphotography

Autumn in the Tatra Mountains

Hiking the Tatras in September and October: red grass on the Czerwone Wierchy, seas of mist, fewer crowds, plus short days and freezing evenings to plan for.

Author: Konrad Leśniak2 min read

Autumn in the Tatra Mountains

Red grasses, no sweltering heat and a sea of mist. September and October are the ‘golden season’ in the Tatra Mountains. But be warned – the days are short and the evenings are freezing.

July and August? Crowds, storms and sweltering heat. If you can choose when to take your holiday, aim for September or the first half of October. That’s when the Tatras look like something straight out of a National Geographic cover.

💡 In a nutshell – Autumn in the Tatras in a nutshell:

  1. Pros: No sweltering heat, fewer storms, red grasses on Czerwone Wierchy, spectacular seas of mist.
  2. Dangers: Very short days (a headlamp is a must!), icy patches in shaded areas, huge temperature drops after sunset.
  3. Pro Tip: Always carry a hat, gloves, and a thermos with hot tea in your backpack – even if it’s 15 degrees in Zakopane.

The Red Peaks are ablaze

Czerwone Wierchy in autumn
Czerwone Wierchy in autumnSee the full trail guide →

This is the phenomenon that photographers take holidays for. The sit skucina grass that covers the Western Tatras turns a reddish-brown colour in autumn. Combined with the low-hanging sun, the mountains look as if they are on fire. The best place to witness this spectacle? Of course, the Czerwone Wierchy (especially the slopes of Ciemniak) and Jarząbczy Wierch.

Sea of mist (Inversion)

Thermal inversion is a common occurrence in autumn. In Zakopane, it’s grey, cold and misty, yet you rise above the clouds and bask in full sunshine, with a white sea stretching out beneath your feet. It’s a sight you’ll never forget. The best places to catch this sight are from high peaks such as Rysy or Krywań.

Autumn pitfalls (Don’t be caught out)

It’s not all sunshine and roses – autumn is demanding.

  1. The days are short: In July, it gets dark at 9 pm. By 6 pm in October, it’s already pitch black. If you don’t have a head torch, you’re in trouble.
  2. Icy patches: In the shade (north-facing walls), water freezes. The rocks on Orla Perć or Rysy may be covered with a thin layer of ice that is almost invisible (so-called black ice). Accidents happen very easily.
  3. Cold: As soon as the sun goes down, the temperature drops instantly to around freezing. A fleece and a hat in your rucksack are no longer an option, they’re a necessity.

Fewer people?

Yes, but… at weekends when the weather is nice, it can still get crowded. However, during the week the trails are deserted. You can go to Grzesia and meet only a few people. That’s a luxury you can’t get during the summer holidays.

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  • Czerwone Wierchy (Red Peaks)
    Western Tatras

    Czerwone Wierchy (Red Peaks)

    Start: Kiry · via The four 2,000-metre peaks and Ciemniak and Krzesanica

    8:27 h
    Time
    15.6 km
    Distance
    +1458 m
    Ascent
  • Grześ
    Difficulty: EasyWestern Tatras

    Grześ

    Start: Siwa Polana (Chochołów Valley) · via Panorama of the Slovak Roháče and The mountain hut at Chochołów Glade

    6:50 h
    Time
    18.1 km
    Distance
    +830 m
    Ascent
  • Difficulty: HardWestern Tatras

    Jarząbczy Wierch

    Start: Siwa Polana (Chochołów Valley) · via Panorama of Jakubina and Cliffs above Jamnicka Valley

    10:00 h
    Time
    24.1 km
    Distance
    +1524 m
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