Difficulty: HardHigh Tatrashigh tatrasorla perćhighest peakfitness

Kozi Wierch

2291 m a.s.l. · trail green / black · start: Palenica Białczańska

Download GPXCompare with another trail
High-altitude conditionsBulletin as of 18 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.

PolecanyBlack trail from Five Lakes

Wysokość
2291 m a.s.l.
Dystans
19.8 km
Czas przejścia
8 h 55 min
Suma podejść
1406 m
Start
Palenica Białczańska
Meta
Palenica Białczańska

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

Tempo

8 h 55 minSzacunek 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
Black trail from Five LakesPolecany

Roztoka to the hut, zigzags up Szeroki Żleb. No chains, loose rock and stones. The figures at the top of the page show this loop.

Palenica Białczańska8 h 55 minNie
  • green
  • black
From the Five Lakes hut

The same gully, without Palenica. Makes sense after a night in the hut. Still no chains.

Five Lakes hut4 hNie
  • black
Orla from Zawrat

This is not an add-on “since we are already here”. Separate page: Orla Perć. You do not go back from Kozi to Zawrat.

Zobacz ten szlak →		Zawrat11 hTakLadder and chimney. One-way. Descend the black trail.
  • red
  • black

Polecany

Black trail from Five Lakes

Roztoka to the hut, zigzags up Szeroki Żleb. No chains, loose rock and stones. The figures at the top of the page show this loop.

Mapa i profil trasy

Black trail from Five Lakes

Profil wysokościowy trasy

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

GPX · 19.25 km
Punkt kulminacyjny
2291m n.p.m.
przy 9.6 km
Najniższy punkt
984m n.p.m.
Podejścia (suma)
+1428m
Zejścia (suma)
-1428m
Dystans profilu
19.25km
500 m1000 m1500 m2000 m2500 m0 km5 km10 km15 km19.25 km🏔️ 2291 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.

Kozi Wierch (2,291 m a.s.l.) is an absolutely unique mountain: it is the highest peak lying entirely within Poland (Rysy are higher, but we share them with Slovakia). It forms the highest point of the famous Orla Perć, but note – it can be conquered without touching a single chain!

💡 In a nutshell – Kozi Wierch:

  1. No chains: The ascent via the black trail from the Valley of Five Lakes (through Szeroki Żleb) has no technical difficulties or exposure.
  2. Helmet is essential: The gully is very fragile. Hikers above often dislodge stones which pick up huge speed.
  3. Murderous approach: The trail is extremely steep and physically exhausting.
  4. Orla Perć: The summit lies on Orla Perć. Remember that the Zawrat -> Kozi Wierch section is one-way (you must not go from Kozi to Zawrat!).

By choosing the black trail from the Valley of Five Lakes, you avoid precipices and climbing. Instead, you face a massive, physical workout in a fragile, steep gully.

Trail description: The “elevator” from Five Lakes

The most sensible (and safest) way to reach Kozi Wierch for a “regular” hiker is the black trail from the Valley of Five Lakes.

Stage 1: Warm-up to the hut

We start at Palenica Białczańska and march through the Roztoka Valley to the Valley of Five Lakes. This is a solid 2-2.5 hours of walking, which you should treat as a warm-up. Rest by Wielki Staw (Great Tarn), because the real work is about to begin.

Stage 2: Szeroki Żleb (A fitness massacre)

From the edge of the lake, we turn onto the black markers. The path climbs in sharp zigzags up the floor of the so-called Szeroki Żleb (Broad Gully).

  • No chains: There are no technical difficulties or drops under your feet here.
  • Murderous incline: The ascent is incredibly steep and tedious. Your lungs will burn, and your thighs will be on fire.
  • Fragile terrain: Stones and scree constantly slide under your feet. With every step, you slide half a step down.

On the summit: The Tatras in your hand

The panorama from Kozi Wierch is absolutely top-tier among Tatra views. You are in the very heart of the High Tatras.

  • Below: Vertical walls drop towards the Five Lakes – the lakes look like small blue puddles from here.
  • Far away: You can clearly see Rysy, Gerlach (the highest in the entire Tatras), and the jagged ridge of Orla Perć.

Warning: A helmet saves lives!

Szeroki Żleb has one very treacherous feature. Hikers higher up often (even accidentally) knock stones loose. In this steep, chute-like terrain, such a stone instantly gains speed and becomes a deadly projectile for those walking below. A climbing helmet on the black trail is not a whim – it is a basic safety requirement!

Hardcore variant: Orla Perć (Red trail)

Kozi Wierch is the culmination point of Orla Perć. You can reach it from Zawrat (via Kozia Pass).

  • Note: The Zawrat – Kozi Wierch section is strictly one-way. You MUST NOT go from Kozi towards Zawrat.
  • This is an extreme, climbing ridge with a ladder and chains. Do not treat this as an “add-on” after climbing the black gully. If anyone in the group is afraid of heights — you must descend back down the black trail to the Five Lakes.

Parking, TPN and times

We start from Palenica Białczańska (TPN e-ticket required, you cannot enter without a reservation).

  • Palenica – Five Lakes hut: approx. 2–2.5 h
  • Hut – Kozi summit: approx. 1.5–2 h
  • Descent down the gully: takes the same amount of time as the ascent (very hard on the knees!).

The total time of 8 h 55 min given at the top of the page is the “out and back” variant through the Five Lakes, without entering Orla Perć.

Who this is absolutely NOT for?

Do not bring people here who are in the Tatras for the first time. Do not go here thinking “since there are no chains, it will be easy”. The gully is steep, fragile, and exhausting. If reaching the hut in the Five Lakes drained your remaining strength, let Kozi Wierch go. In winter, this place is a massive avalanche path – entry is strictly for experts with avalanche gear, an ice axe, and crampons.

Getting there, parking & buses

Trailhead logistics – reach the start smoothly without parking hassle.

Trailhead:Palenica Białczańska

Parking & car access

TPN online reservation required (e-ticket)

TPN Car Park Palenica Białczańska / Łysa Polana

Parking fee: 45–65 PLN / day (seasonal dynamic pricing via tpn.pl/bilety only)

No on-site ticket sales! QR e-tickets must be booked online in advance via tpn.pl. During peak season, slots sell out days ahead. Cars without booking are turned away at the roundabout.

Navigate to parking (Google Maps)

Bus & transit access

Buses from Zakopane Station (towards Morskie Oko)

Route & bus stop: Main Station (Platform 1) ➔ Cyrhla ➔ Wierch Poroniec ➔ Palenica Białczańska

Fare: ~15–20 PLN one-way

Departures every 10–15 min from early morning. CAUTION on return: last buses from Palenica leave around 19:30–20:30 depending on season. Miss them, and you will need an expensive taxi.

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

  • The highest peak entirely in Poland
  • Panorama of Five Lakes from above
  • Szeroki Żleb
  • Mountain hut in the Valley of Five Lakes

Questions

Are there chains on Kozi Wierch?

Not on the black trail from Five Lakes. The figures at the top of the page are that variant. Chains are on Orla from Zawrat — ladder, chimney, one-way traffic. That is the second row in the table, not the default.

Is the ascent safe?

On the black trail — for fit hikers, with a helmet against falling stones. On the red (Orla) — very hard. You must not go from Kozi towards Zawrat.

Do I need a helmet?

In Szeroki Żleb, yes. Stones from above pick up speed. There are no chains on the black trail; take a helmet anyway.

Do I have to go via Orla?

No. The summit sits on Orla, but the black gully is the honest way up. Orla has its own page.

How high is Kozi Wierch?

Kozi Wierch is 2291 m above sea level.

Kozi Wierch: how long does it take?

Start: Palenica Białczańska, finish in the same place. The whole route is 19.8 km and takes 8 h 55 min of walking without breaks, with about 1406 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:

📍 Palenica Białczańska
No photo
#high tatras#highest peak#chains

Rysy (from the Polish side)

Rysy (2499 m), Poland's highest peak, from Palenica via Morskie Oko and Czarny Staw: 25.5 km, 11 h 44 min, chains, snow even in July. When to start and turn back.

⏱️ 11 h 44 min📏 25.5 km🎯 very difficult
View trail

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Plan your trip

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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