Difficulty: EasyWestern Tatras
Dolina Chochołowska (The Chochołowska Valley)
Start: Siwa Polana · via Chochołowska Glade and The mountain hut at Chochołowska Glade
- 3:45 h
- Time
- 12.6 km
- Distance
- +321 m
- Ascent
Difficulty: Easywestern tatrasvalleyfor familyeasy routes
Dolina Strążyska i Wodospad Siklawica (The Strążyska Valley and Siklawica Waterfall)
1112 m a.s.l. · trail red / yellow · start: Zakopane (Strążyska street)
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).
PolecanyMeadow and Siklawica
- Wysokość
- 1112 m a.s.l.
- Dystans
- 4.8 km
- Czas przejścia
- 1 h 41 min
- Suma podejść
- 196 m
- Start
- Strążyska Street
- Meta
- Strążyska Street
Czas i dystans dla całej wycieczki, z powrotem do startu.
Tempo
1 h 41 minSzacunek od czasu z opisu, bez kolejek i postojów.
- very easy
- red
- yellow
- Dla rodzin: Tak
- Z psem: Nie
- 31 zdjęć
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Meadow and SiklawicaPolecany Wide path to the meadow, yellow trail to the waterfall, back the same way. No chains. The figures at the top of the page show this loop. | Strążyska Street | 1 h 41 min | Nie |
|
Polana Strążyska only Pushchair to the tea room. The view of Giewont stays. You will not see Siklawica from here. | Strążyska Street | 1 h 20 min | Nie |
|
Loop via Sarnia Skała Black trail from the meadow to Sarnia, down Dolina Białego. Still no chains. Separate page: Sarnia Skała. Giewont via Grzybowiec is a different page. Zobacz ten szlak → | Strążyska Street | 3 h 45 min | Nie |
|
Polecany
Meadow and Siklawica
Wide path to the meadow, yellow trail to the waterfall, back the same way. No chains. The figures at the top of the page show this loop.
Mapa i profil trasy
Meadow and Siklawica
Profil wysokościowy trasy
Wykres podejść wygenerowany ze śladu GPX. Przesuń kursor lub palec po wykresie, aby sprawdzić profil podejścia i punkty kulminacyjne.
GPX · 4.72 km
Punkt kulminacyjny
1114m n.p.m.
przy 2.36 km
Najniższy punkt
904m n.p.m.
Podejścia (suma)
+210m
Zejścia (suma)
-210m
Dystans profilu
4.72km
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 Strążyska Valley is a classic Zakopane stroll. Close to the town centre, short and very scenic, it is the ideal choice for a first taste of the Tatras, a trip with young children or a relaxing walk on a rest day.
💡 In a nutshell – Strążyska Valley in a nutshell:
- For whom: Perfect for families with pushchairs and small children. Flat, wide, and short (about 40 minutes one way).
- Attractions: Siklawica Waterfall (10 mins from the meadow) and the best possible view of the Giewont wall.
- Logistics: A pushchair will only go as far as Polana Strążyska. You have to walk over rocks to get right to the waterfall, so leave the pushchair by the buffet (Tea Room).
- Pro Tip: Don’t drive here! Car parks are expensive and tiny. You can walk here from Krupówki in 20 minutes.
This is where Giewont looks most majestic - its vertical, 600-metre north face seems to hang directly above the end of the valley.
Route description: A stroll to the foot of Giewont
The figures at the top of the page show the classic walking variant: reaching Polana Strążyska, a short hop to Siklawica Waterfall and returning the same way.
Stage 1: Through the forest to the Meadow
The trail starts at the end of Strążyska Street in Zakopane.
- We join the red trail. A wide gravel path climbs gently uphill alongside the rushing Strążyski Stream. The walk takes place in the pleasant shade of beech and fir forest.
- Halfway along, look out for Sphinx Rock - a lonely pinnacle on the left that, with a little imagination, resembles a mythical creature.
Stage 2: Polana Strążyska and the Tea Room
After about 40 minutes, the forest opens and we emerge onto Polana Strążyska.
- The view from here is iconic - wooden shepherds huts in the foreground and the mighty Giewont in the background.
- It is worth stopping at the historic Tea Room (a small cafe) for hot tea or a light snack.
Stage 3: Grand finale – Siklawica Waterfall
Once you are on the meadow, it would be a sin not to go further! We leave the pushchair (if we have one) at the Tea Room and join the yellow trail.
- It is only a 10-15 minute walk deeper into the valley, right beneath the face of Giewont. The path becomes narrower, rockier and climbs slightly.
- We reach Siklawica Waterfall. Here, the water falls over two drops with a total height of 23 metres. On hot days there is a pleasant microclimate, and the water spray brings wonderful relief.
- After resting by the waterfall, we return to the meadow and then back to Zakopane the same way.
Where next? (Variants)
From Polana Strążyska you can continue into the mountains:
- Loop via Sarnia Skała: The black trail climbs steeply up to Sarnia Skała (about 50 min), from where there is a brilliant view of Giewont. From Sarnia Skała we descend to Dolina Białego. This is a beautiful half-day loop.
- To Giewont: The red trail leads via Grzybowiec straight to the summit of Giewont. This, however, is a very long and difficult trip (with chains on the summit dome).
Logistics and practical information
- Parking: The car parks on Strążyska Street are small, private and quite expensive. In the summer season they fill up before 9:00 AM. It is best to walk here from Krupówki (about 20-25 min) or take a city bus.
- Tickets: Entry to the TPN is paid (ticket office at the entrance or online ticket).
Who is this absolutely NOT for?
Do not come here on an August noon if you are looking for peace and solitude – it is one of the most crowded valleys in the Tatras. Do not try to push a stroller right up to the waterfall (leave it in the meadow). Do not bring a dog here (TPN ban). If you want to conquer Giewont, do not treat this walk as a “quick trip after lunch” – climbing the summit is a serious expedition.
Getting there, parking & buses
Trailhead logistics – reach the start smoothly without parking hassle.
Trailhead:Zakopane (Strążyska street)
Parking & car access
Paid on site (very limited spaces)
Strążyska Street car park (valley entrance)
Parking fee: 35–45 PLN / day (or ~8 PLN / hour)
Very limited capacity – in summer and sunny weekends it fills up before 8:30 AM. Walking from central Zakopane (approx. 25 min from Krupówki) is often better.
Bus & transit access
Municipal line 12 or walk on foot
Route & bus stop: Main Station ➔ city bus line 12 to Strążyska St. or walking from Krupówki
Fare: ~4–5 PLN city ticket (or free on foot)
If staying in downtown Zakopane, leave your car – walking down Strążyska St. is an easy warm-up.
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
- Siklawica Waterfall
- View of Giewont
- Sphinx Rock
- Historic Tea Room
Photos from the trail
Questions
Is the route suitable for small children?
Yes. It is flat, wide and short. A pushchair to the meadow, not to the waterfall.
Can I reach Siklawica Waterfall with a pushchair?
No. You can take a pushchair as far as Polana Strążyska. The last 10–15 minutes are a narrow, rocky path — leave the pushchair at the Tea Room.
Where is the best place to park?
The car parks on Strążyska Street are small and full before 9:00 in season. 20–25 minutes on foot from Krupówki, or a city bus.
Do I have to go to Siklawica?
You do not have to, but this page describes the valley with the waterfall, because that is the title. The meadow is enough with a pushchair. Sarnia Skała has its own page.
Dolina Strążyska i Wodospad Siklawica: are there chains on the route?
No, the route described on this page has no chains.
Dolina Strążyska i Wodospad Siklawica: how long does it take?
Start: Zakopane (Strążyska street), finish in the same place. The whole route is 4.8 km and takes 1 h 41 min of walking without breaks, with about 196 m of ascent. Add time for rests and photos.
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Next trail in this area
Planning your next hike? From the same starting point and area, we recommend:
#western tatras#valley#for family
Dolina Białego (The Biały Valley)
Dolina Białego, a gorge walk right from Zakopane: 5.1 km, 2 h 10 min there and back, easy. Pushchair only in the lower part. The Sarnia Skała loop is separate.
⏱️ 2 h 10 min📏 5.1 km🎯 easy
View trailSimilar trails
- 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
Difficulty: EasyRusinowa Polana and Wiktorówki
Start: Wierch Poroniec · via Panorama of the High Tatras and Wiktorówki sanctuary
- 2:19 h
- Time
- 7.5 km
- Distance
- +240 m
- Ascent
Read also
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Plan your trip
Where to stay - ZakopaneThe closest base for this trail. Check availability and prices in Zakopane.Find a place to stay →Tickets and activitiesCable cars, thermal baths, transfers and guided trips nearby.Browse offers →
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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