Gęsia Szyja

Gęsia Szyja stands at 1,489 m above sea level. It is an unassuming foothill summit that offers a “premium” panorama. The view from the top over the Bielskie and High Tatras (with Lodowy Szczyt and Gerlach at the forefront) is so spectacular that it often appears on postcards.

This is a “two in one” hike: first an easy walk to the idyllic Rusinowa Polana, then a short but intense summit push.

Trail description

We recommend starting from the Wierch Poroniec car park. It is the gentlest approach and ideal for families and older hikers.

1. To Rusinowa Polana (walk): The green trail follows a wide forest road almost on the flat. After about an hour we emerge onto Rusinowa Polana. It is a magical place - a broad meadow with grazing sheep, wooden huts and rocky giants rising in the background.

   • Note: This section is fully accessible to all-terrain pushchairs.

2. To Gęsia Szyja (stairs): From the meadow the trail turns into the forest and the real climb begins. The path consists of hundreds of wooden steps (the famous “stairs to Gęsia”). Although physically tiring, they are comfortable and safe. After about 40-50 minutes we reach the summit rocks.

What can you see from the summit?

Gęsia Szyja is a natural viewing stand. No other mountains block the view, so you have the following in full sight:

• The Bielskie Tatras: (Murania, Hawrań) - to the left.
• The High Tatras: (Gerlach, Rysy, Vysoká, Lodowy Szczyt) - straight ahead.
• The White Water Valley: A huge valley cutting deep into the Slovak Tatras.

Variant: Wiktorówki

While on Rusinowa Polana, it is worth descending the blue trail (about 10 minutes down) to the Shrine of Our Lady of Jaworzyna at Wiktorówki. It is a charming wooden church hidden in the forest. There is a drinking-water spring and free tea for hikers (in the sanctuary kitchen).

Practical information

• Parking: The car park at Wierch Poroniec is small and fills up quickly. In season, if you are not there by 7-8 a.m., you may not find a space. An alternative is to take a minibus from the roundabout in Zakopane (towards Morskie Oko).
• Pushchairs: You can only take a pushchair as far as Rusinowa Polana. Beyond that (the stairs to the summit or the descent to Wiktorówki), you will need to leave it behind or carry it.
• Food: In season (May-October), a shepherds hut operates at Rusinowa Polana. It is one of the best places to buy real oscypek cheese and żentyca.