Difficulty: HardWestern Tatraswestern tatrasfitnessridgewinter

Jarząbczy Wierch

2137 m a.s.l. · trail red / green · start: Siwa Polana (Chochołów Valley)

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High-altitude conditionsBulletin as of 17 października 2026
Official TPN bulletin

Snow and ice reported in upper Tatras. Crampons, ice axe, helmet and winter mountaineering experience required.

Bulletin details

Warunki do uprawiania turystyki w Tatrach Wysokich są bardzo trudne.

PolecanySiwa Polana – Jarząbczy

Wysokość
2137 m a.s.l.
Dystans
24.1 km
Czas przejścia
10 h
Suma podejść
1524 m
Start
Siwa Polana
Meta
Siwa Polana

Czas i dystans dla całej wycieczki, z powrotem do startu.

Tempo

10 hSzacunek od czasu z opisu, bez kolejek i postojów.

Warianty wejścia

Polecany jest na tej stronie. Inny start ma osobną kartę — własny opis i mapę.

Warianty wejścia
WariantStartCzas przejściaŁańcuchyKolor szlaku
Siwa Polana – JarząbczyPolecany

To the hut, Jarząbcza to Trzydniowiański, the ridge to the summit, down Krowiniec. No chains. The figures at the top of the page show this loop.

Siwa Polana10 hNie
  • green
  • red
Kończysty Wierch only

The 2,000-metre peak without Jarząbczy. A different climb: red from Trzydniówka. Separate page: Kończysty Wierch.

Zobacz ten szlak →		Siwa Polana8 hNie
  • green
  • red
Trzydniowiański Wierch only

Without the main ridge. Still no chains. Separate page: Trzydniowiański Wierch.

Zobacz ten szlak →		Siwa Polana6 h 55 minNie
  • red
  • green

Polecany

Siwa Polana – Jarząbczy

To the hut, Jarząbcza to Trzydniowiański, the ridge to the summit, down Krowiniec. No chains. The figures at the top of the page show this loop.

Mapa i profil trasy

Siwa Polana – Jarząbczy

Profil wysokościowy trasy

Wykres podejść wygenerowany ze śladu GPX. Przesuń kursor lub palec po wykresie, aby sprawdzić profil podejścia i punkty kulminacyjne.

GPX · 23.61 km
Punkt kulminacyjny
2137m n.p.m.
przy 13.38 km
Najniższy punkt
941m n.p.m.
Podejścia (suma)
+1552m
Zejścia (suma)
-1553m
Dystans profilu
23.61km
750 m1000 m1250 m1500 m1750 m2000 m2250 m0 km5 km10 km15 km20 km23.61 km2002 m2002 m🏔️ 2137 m

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.

Pobierz ślad GPX (.gpx)
Kompatybilność:GarminCorosSuuntoApple WatchMapy.czKomootStrava
Jak wgrać plik GPX?
  1. Kliknij przycisk „Pobierz ślad GPX”, aby zapisać plik .gpx na telefonie lub komputerze.
  2. Otwórz plik w aplikacji Garmin Connect, Coros, Suunto, Mapy.cz, Komoot lub wyślij na zegarek GPS.
  3. Zapisz trasę w trybie offline, aby w Tatrach nawigować pewnie i bez obaw o brak zasięgu sieci komórkowej.

Jarząbczy Wierch (2,137 m a.s.l.) is the second highest peak (after Starorobociański) in the Polish part of the Western Tatras. It is a massive mountain that slopes gently with grassy sides on the Polish side, but drops off in vertical, rocky precipices on the Slovak side.

💡 In a nutshell – Jarząbczy Wierch in a nutshell:

  1. For whom: For people with iron fitness. The route has no chains or technical difficulties, but it is 24 kilometres and 1,500 m of elevation gain.
  2. Logistics: Rent a bike at Siwa Polana and ride it to the forester’s lodge in Chochołowska. You will save 3 hours of boring walking on asphalt!
  3. Golden rule: It takes 40 minutes from Kończysty Wierch to Jarząbczy, but then you have to return the same way. Don’t be fooled that “it’s close now”.
  4. Dangers: In winter, these are massive avalanche areas. In summer, watch out for the Slovak side of the ridge – it drops off in vertical precipices.

Climbing Jarząbczy Wierch is a fitness challenge of the highest order. There are no chains here, but a long, multi-hour ridge hike will test your endurance.

Trail description: The great loop above Chochołowska

The figures at the top of the page show the epic loop from Siwa Polana. This is a full-day route (over 24 km!).

Stage 1: The valley and the Papal Trail

We start at Siwa Polana and walk along the floor of the Chochołowska Valley to the hut (approx. 1 h 50 min). From the hut we head deep into the Jarząbcza Valley (red/yellow trail).

  • This is the so-called Papal Trail (John Paul II hiked here). It is extremely quiet and peaceful here.
  • We pass a memorial boulder and enter the forest, where the steep climb begins.

Stage 2: Climbing the ridge

The red trail climbs sharply upwards, leading us to Trzydniowiański Wierch (approx. 1 h 40 min from entering the valley). From Trzydniowiański we follow the green trail along a beautiful, scenic ridge to Kończysty Wierch (another 55 min).

Stage 3: Summit push for Jarząbczy

From Kończysty Wierch we join the red trail, which follows the main ridge of the Tatras.

  • Ahead of us is the final, 40-minute approach to the summit of Jarząbczy Wierch.
  • No difficulties: The path is wide and safe. There are no chains here.
  • Beware of precipices: Remember that the southern (Slovak) slopes of Jarząbczy are vertical walls. Stick to the marked trail and do not approach the edge!

Stage 4: Descent via Krowiniec

From the summit we return to Kończysty and Trzydniowiański Wierch. From here we do not descend the same way to the Jarząbcza Valley! We choose the red trail leading down the Krowiniec ridge, which takes us straight down to Polana Trzydniówka in the Chochołowska Valley. From here it is just a flat return to Siwa Polana.

Panorama: A sea of peaks

The view from Jarząbczy Wierch is incredible:

  • Slovakia: Right next door rises the massive Jakubina (it looks like a separate, inaccessible mountain from here).
  • Poland: You can perfectly see the pyramid of Starorobociański Wierch and the sharp peaks of the High Tatras on the horizon.
  • In autumn, the slopes of Jarząbczy are covered with a rusty plant (sit skucina), resembling the famous Czerwone Wierchy, but without such crowds.

Logistics and safety

  • The distance is a monster: The whole loop is 24 kilometres and over 1,500 metres of elevation gain. With breaks, this is an 11-12 hour trip. Renting a bike in the Chochołowska Valley is a great idea to save your legs.
  • Wind: The ridge is completely exposed. Windy days mean real gales here.

Who is this absolutely NOT for?

Do not attempt this trail if you do not have experience in full-day, exhausting hikes. Do not bring a dog here (TPN ban above the hut). In winter, the slopes of Jarząbczy are massive avalanche paths, requiring advanced equipment and knowledge. If you run out of strength after reaching Kończysty Wierch, give up on Jarząbczy – the return to the valley is still many hours of walking.

Getting there, parking & buses

Trailhead logistics – reach the start smoothly without parking hassle.

Trailhead:Siwa Polana (Chochołów Valley)

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.

Navigate to parking (Google Maps)

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.

Read the guide in Tips

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.

Open checklist →

What you will see

  • Panorama of Jakubina
  • Cliffs above Jamnicka Valley
  • The Papal Trail in Jarząbcza Valley
  • Red grasses in autumn

Questions

Is this a good winter objective?

Only with avalanche gear and a willingness to turn around. The map flags avalanches on the climb and the ridge. Not “I walked here in summer”.

Do I start from the hut?

The route on this page starts at Siwa. The hut is on this loop, after 1 h 50 min. The 10 h at the top of the page is car park to car park, not an attack from the glade.

How long from Kończysty to the summit?

The map: 40 min up, 30 min down. Not twenty. The whole day is still 10 h from Siwa.

Are there chains? Can I bring a dog?

No chains. A dog only on the valley floor, as far as the hut. Not on red or green above it. On the Slovak side there are cliffs — stay on the trail.

How high is Jarząbczy Wierch?

Jarząbczy Wierch is 2137 m above sea level.

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Next trail in this area

Planning your next hike? From the same starting point and area, we recommend:

📍 Siwa Polana (Chochołów Valley)
No photo
#western tatras#highest peak#fitness

Starorobociański Wierch

Starorobociański Wierch (2176 m), the highest peak of the Polish Western Tatras, from Siwa Polana: 22.4 km, 10 h 18 min, no chains, a lot of fitness needed.

⏱️ 10 h 18 min📏 22.4 km🎯 difficult (fitness-wise)
View trail

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Before you head to the mountains

  1. Check the weather forecast, mountain weather changes dynamically
  2. Match the trail to your abilities, don't overestimate your strength
  3. Take appropriate equipment: comfortable hiking boots, rain jacket, warm clothing, map, charged phone, first aid kit, power bank, food and water
  4. Inform someone about your plans, provide the route and expected return time
  5. Save the emergency number GOPR/TOPR, 601 100 300 or 985
  6. Buy a ticket to the Tatra National Park