Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich (The Valley of the Five Polish Lakes)

The Valley of the Five Polish Lakes (Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich) is the absolute heart of the High Tatras. It is a raw, rocky, and breathtaking place, completely different from the forested, gentle western valleys. Here you will find Poland’s highest waterfall, deepest lakes, and the highest-altitude mountain hut in the country.

This is a full-day hike that requires a very good level of fitness, but presents no technical difficulties (there are no chains on the approach trail).

💡 In a nutshell – Valley of the Five Lakes:

1. No chains, but long: The approach trail from Palenica Białczańska has no technical difficulties, but requires good fitness (approx. 16.5 km round trip).
2. Siklawa vs Zigzags: In summer, choose the green trail by the Siklawa Waterfall. After rain or in winter, take the black trail (zigzags), as the rock slabs by the waterfall get slippery, and in winter it’s avalanche-prone.
3. Book parking early: Starting from Palenica Białczańska requires an online TPN e-ticket (often booked days in advance).
4. Wind and cold: The valley is high and exposed. Even on a hot summer day, bring a jacket, as the wind can chill you quickly.

💡 Logistics Pro Tip: The car park at Palenica Białczańska (the trailhead) sells out 2-3 days in advance during the summer season! Do not just turn up, as the guards will turn you away at the roundabout. You must buy your parking ticket online on the TPN website.

Trail description: Through the Roztoka Valley

We set off from Palenica Białczańska. The first 40 minutes involve walking along a tarmac road amidst the crowds heading for Morskie Oko.

Stage 1: Turning into the Roztoka Valley

Just past Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza (the roaring waterfalls on the right), we turn right onto the green trail. This is where the real mountain adventure begins, and the crowds instantly thin out. The trail leads along the bottom of the Roztoka Valley, beside the murmuring stream. It is quiet here, and the forest gradually gives way to mountain pine, revealing views of the massive slopes of Wołoszyn and Kozi Wierch.

Stage 2: Siklawa or Zakosy? (An important choice)

At the end of the valley, when it gets really steep, the trail forks. You have two options for reaching the mountain hut:

1. Green Trail (Siklawa Route): Recommended in summer. It passes right next to Siklawa Waterfall (the largest waterfall in Poland, 70 m high). The roar of the falling water makes an incredible impression. The path runs over huge rock slabs, which are comfortable when dry but very slippery and dangerous after rain.
2. Black Trail (Zigzags): It bypasses the waterfall, winding its way through mountain pine straight to the door of the mountain hut. It is shorter (about 10 minutes’ difference) and definitely safer after rain.

Stage 3: The Heart of the Valley

Once you’ve crossed the valley threshold, a breathtaking view unfolds: the massive, dark blue surface of Wielki Staw Polski (the deepest and longest lake in the Tatra Mountains) against the backdrop of the raw peaks of Orla Perć.

A few hundred metres further on, above Przedni Staw, stands the famous PTTK Mountain Hut in the Valley of Five Lakes (1,671 m a.s.l.). It is the only mountain hut in the Polish Tatra Mountains that cannot be reached by car (not even the staff can get there, goods are brought in by a goods lift), which creates a unique, truly mountainous atmosphere. A must-do is to try the local apple pie. Tip: On sunny weekends, the queue for food can stretch outside the building – keep your own sandwiches in your backpack just in case you don’t want to waste an hour waiting!