Difficulty: EasyWestern Tatras
Dolina Białego (The Biały Valley)
Start: Dolina Białego · via White Stream and Uranium Adits
- 2:10 h
- Time
- 5.1 km
- Distance
- +305 m
- Ascent
Difficulty: EasyWestern Tatraswestern tatrasvalleyfor familypushchair
Dolina Chochołowska (The Chochołowska Valley)
1146 m n.p.m. · trail green · start: Siwa Polana
Trail openBulletin as of 20 października 2026
Official TPN bulletinNo reported closures or obstacles on this trail according to the official TPN bulletin (20 października 2026).
PolecanySiwa Polana – the hut
- Wysokość
- 1146 m n.p.m.
- Dystans
- 12.6 km
- Czas przejścia
- 3 h 45 min
- Suma podejść
- 321 m
- Start
- Siwa Polana
- Meta
- Siwa Polana
Czas i dystans dla całej wycieczki, z powrotem do startu.
Tempo
3 h 45 minSzacunek od czasu z opisu, bez kolejek i postojów.
- easy
- green
- Western Tatras
- Dla rodzin: Tak
- Z psem: Tak
- Ślad GPX (.gpx)
Warianty wejścia
Polecany jest na tej stronie. Inny start ma osobną kartę — własny opis i mapę.
| Wariant | Start | Czas przejścia | Łańcuchy | Kolor szlaku |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Siwa Polana – the hutPolecany Seven kilometres one way on a wide road. A pushchair will manage; the last cobbles will wake the child. The figures at the top of the page show this loop. | Siwa Polana | 3 h 45 min | Nie |
|
Rakoń train to Huciska The tourist train cuts the dull start. Then walk to the hut. On a crocus weekend you still queue. | Siwa Polana (train) | 2 h 30 min | Nie |
|
Huciska glade only A cut-off when someone in the group is done after an hour. You will not see the hut or the crocus meadow from here. | Siwa Polana | 2 h | Nie |
|
Polecany
Siwa Polana – the hut
Seven kilometres one way on a wide road. A pushchair will manage; the last cobbles will wake the child. The figures at the top of the page show this loop.
Mapa i profil trasy
Siwa Polana – the hut
Profil wysokościowy trasy
Wykres podejść wygenerowany ze śladu GPX. Przesuń kursor lub palec po wykresie, aby sprawdzić profil podejścia i punkty kulminacyjne.
GPX · 12.58 km
Punkt kulminacyjny
1148m n.p.m.
przy 6.29 km
Najniższy punkt
941m n.p.m.
Podejścia (suma)
+341m
Zejścia (suma)
-342m
Dystans profilu
12.58km
Ślad GPX do nawigacji
Wgraj trasę do zegarka sportowego (Garmin, Coros, Suunto, Apple Watch) lub aplikacji nawigacyjnej (Mapy.cz, Komoot, Locus Map, Strava) i nawiguj po szlaku w trybie offline bez zasięgu.
Kompatybilność:GarminCorosSuuntoApple WatchMapy.czKomootStrava
Jak wgrać plik GPX?
- Kliknij przycisk „Pobierz ślad GPX”, aby zapisać plik .gpx na telefonie lub komputerze.
- Otwórz plik w aplikacji Garmin Connect, Coros, Suunto, Mapy.cz, Komoot lub wyślij na zegarek GPS.
- Zapisz trasę w trybie offline, aby w Tatrach nawigować pewnie i bez obaw o brak zasięgu sieci komórkowej.
The Chochołowska Valley is the largest and longest valley in the Polish Tatra Mountains, located on the western edge of the Tatra National Park. Its floor is very gentle, making it an ideal place for long, relaxing walks. Remember, however, that it is over 7 kilometres one way to the hut – your legs will definitely feel it!
💡 In a nutshell – Chochołowska Valley:
- Long but easy: The route to the hut is very gentle, but it is a full 7 km one way.
- Dogs on a lead: This is one of the few valleys in the Tatras where you can legally walk a dog (but only along the valley floor, up to the hut).
- You can shorten it: You can cover the route by bike (rentals on site) or take the “Rakoń” tourist train to Polana Huciska.
- Pushchair friendly: The route is accessible for pushchairs, although bumpy “cobblestones” await just before the glade itself.
Trail description: On foot, by bike or by train
We start at Siwa Polana. The green trail follows a wide road through the Lower and Upper Chochołowska Gates right up to the mountain hut.
- Surface: Initially we walk on tarmac, which later turns into gravel. Just before Chochołowska Glade itself, the so-called “cobblestones” (uneven stones) begin – a pushchair will get through, but it will definitely wake a sleeping child.
- Facilities: If you do not want to walk the whole 7 kilometres, you can rent a bike (the valley is open to cyclists) or take the “Rakoń” tourist train, which takes tourists to Polana Huciska (this shortens the walk by about an hour).
The finale of the trip is the PTTK mountain hut on Chochołowska Glade – the largest hut in the Polish Tatras. It is worth trying the famous “Chochołowski Dessert” here. On the glade there is also a charming wooden chapel of St. John the Baptist and shepherds’ huts.
Crocus madness
At the turn of March and April, Chochołowska Glade is covered with a purple carpet of crocuses. This phenomenon attracts crowds of tourists. If you want to take a photo without hundreds of people in the frame, you have to be here on a Tuesday at 6:00 am, not on a sunny Sunday at noon!
A base for higher mountains
The Chochołowska Valley is not only a destination in itself, but also a great base for the surrounding peaks. From the hut you can set off for, among others:
- Grześ (a gentle approach, great views of the Slovak Roháče).
- Rakoń and Wołowiec (for the more advanced).
- Starorobociański Wierch (the highest peak in the Polish part of the Western Tatras).
Logistics and rules (Dogs on a lead!)
- Parking: There is a large car park at Siwa Polana. On “crocus weekends” it can be full before you even reach the ticket office. Numerous minibuses run here from Zakopane.
- Tickets and TPN: The valley floor belongs to the Forest Community of Eight Villages, so at the entrance you pay for a ticket to the Community, not to the Tatra National Park. TPN only starts on the trails above the hut.
- Dogs: This is one of the few valleys in the Polish Tatras where you can enter with a dog (it must be on a lead!). Remember, however, that you can only go as far as the hut with a dog – entering the trails above (e.g. to Grześ) is strictly forbidden.
Who this is absolutely NOT for?
Do not come here if you are looking for a “short half-hour stroll with a pushchair” (like in Dolina Białego, for example). The whole trip (there and back) is over 14 kilometres. Do not bring a dog with the intention of climbing the peaks. If you are looking for peace and quiet on a spring weekend, give Chochołowska a wide berth – the crocuses attract real crowds then.
Getting there, parking & buses
Trailhead logistics – reach the start smoothly without parking hassle.
Trailhead:Siwa Polana
Parking & car access
Cash payment only
Siwa Polana Car Park (8 Villages Forest Community)
Parking fee: 35–45 PLN / day (cash only)
Chochołowska Valley is managed by the 8 Villages Forest Community. Both car parking and trail entry tickets are CASH ONLY. Card terminals are not available.
Bus & transit access
Buses from Main Station to Chochołowska Valley
Route & bus stop: Zakopane Main Station ➔ Kościelisko ➔ Kiry ➔ Siwa Polana (valley entrance)
Fare: ~10–12 PLN one-way
Check that the bus runs all the way to Siwa Polana (some terminate in Kiry). Mountain bike rentals are available right at the trailhead.
Local buses and transit help bypass morning traffic and parking hassles.
Transport guide in the Tips section
Complete guide to Tatra car parks, buses, and TPN reservations.
Tool
🎒 What to pack? Interactive checklist
Check off items as you pack, switch between summer/winter and clear the list before your next trip. Progress is saved automatically.
What you will see
- Chochołowska Glade
- The mountain hut at Chochołowska Glade
- Views of the Tatra Mountains
- An easy family trail
Questions
Do I need a TPN ticket in Chochołowska?
Not on the valley floor to the hut. This land belongs to the Forest Community of Eight Villages. You pay at Siwa Polana. TPN starts on the trails above the hut — Grześ, Wołowiec, Starorobociański.
Do I have to walk the whole valley?
No. The figures at the top of the page are Siwa Polana – the hut and back. The Rakoń train cuts the stretch to Huciska. Bikes are legal too. Peaks above the valley have their own pages.
Can I take a dog higher than the hut?
No. A dog on a lead can reach the hut. Not Grześ, Rakoń or Wołowiec.
Dolina Chochołowska: are there chains on the route?
No, the route described on this page has no chains.
Dolina Chochołowska: how long does it take?
Start: Siwa Polana, finish in the same place. The whole route is 12.6 km and takes 3 h 45 min of walking without breaks, with about 321 m of ascent. Add time for rests and photos.
Newsletter
Tatras in your inbox
A few times a year: trail conditions, closures, the best time to go and new routes. No weekly spam.
Next trail in this area
Planning your next hike? From the same starting point and area, we recommend:
#western tatras#panorama#for family
Grześ
Grześ (1653 m) from Siwa Polana via the Chochołowska Valley and hut: 18.1 km, 6 h 50 min, easy, no chains. A Roháče panorama to start the Western Tatras.
⏱️ 6 h 50 min📏 18.1 km🎯 easy
View trailSimilar trails
Difficulty: EasyWestern TatrasDolina Kościeliska (The Kościeliska Valley)
Start: Kiry · via Mroźna and Mylna Caves and Kraków Gorge
- 2:59 h
- Time
- 11.1 km
- Distance
- +355 m
- Ascent
- Difficulty: Easy
Dolina Małej Łąki (The Mała Łąka Valley)
Start: Gronik · via Wielka Polana Małołącka and View of Giewont
- 1:47 h
- Time
- 4.2 km
- Distance
- +250 m
- Ascent
Read also
for familyTrails with kids in the Tatras - 7 routes without the traps
Trails with kids in the Tatras: routes that do not overestimate their strength. Check times, difficulty, weather, pushchairs, crowds and the rules of a safe turnaround.
for familyCan children go up Kasprowy Wierch?
Can children go up Kasprowy Wierch? We look at the cable car, the trails, the weather and the rules, so a family trip does not end in stress in the Tatras in winter.
tipsMorskie Oko: how long on foot? Real trail time
Morskie Oko: how long on foot? Check the real walk from Palenica, pace on the trail, stops, weather and a return plan without the summer rush and queues.
Plan your trip
Where to stay - WitówThe closest base for this trail. Check availability and prices in Witów.Find a place to stay →Tickets and activitiesCable cars, thermal baths, transfers and guided trips nearby.Browse offers →
These are affiliate links. If you book a stay or a ticket through them, we earn a small commission, for coffee :), at no extra cost to you.
Before you head to the mountains
- Check the weather forecast, mountain weather changes dynamically
- Match the trail to your abilities, don't overestimate your strength
- Take appropriate equipment: comfortable hiking boots, rain jacket, warm clothing, map, charged phone, first aid kit, power bank, food and water
- Inform someone about your plans, provide the route and expected return time
- Save the emergency number GOPR/TOPR, 601 100 300 or 985
- Buy a ticket to the Tatra National Park