Difficulty: ModerateWestern Tatras
Czerwone Wierchy from Kuźnice
Start: Kuźnice · via Four 2,000-metre peaks and Kopa Kondracka
- 7:56 h
- Time
- 15.4 km
- Distance
- +1337 m
- Ascent
Difficulty: ModerateWestern Tatraswestern tatrasridgefitnessloop
Małołączniak
2096 m a.s.l. · trail yellow / red · start: Gronik
High-altitude conditionsBulletin as of 21 października 2026
Official TPN bulletinSnow and ice reported in upper Tatras. Crampons, ice axe, helmet and winter mountaineering experience required.
Bulletin details
Warunki do uprawiania turystyki w wyższych partiach Tatr Wysokich są wciąż trudne - występuje tam miejscami śnieg i oblodzenia, zwłaszcza po stronie północnej - jest bardzo ślisko. Wyjścia w te partie Tatr wymagają doświadczenia w zimowej turystyce górskiej oraz użycia odpowiedniego sprzętu – raków, czekana i kasku, wraz z umiejętnością posługiwania się nim.
PolecanyVia Kondracka Pass
Czas i dystans dla całej wycieczki, z powrotem do startu.
Tempo
8 h 02 minSzacunek od czasu z opisu, bez kolejek i postojów.
- medium
- yellow
- red
- Western Tatras
- Dla rodzin: Nie
- Z psem: Nie
- 75 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Via Kondracka PassPolecany Yellow to the pass, red to Kopa and Małołączniak. No chains. This loop is what the figures at the top of the page show. | Gronik | 8 h 02 min | Nie |
|
Kobylarzowy Żleb Blue through the gully, yellow descent. Separate page with its own map. The only variant with a chain. Zobacz ten szlak → | Gronik | 7 h 27 min | TakA short step, not Giewont. |
|
Czerwone Wierchy ridge Ciemniak – Krzesanica – Małołączniak – Kopa. Separate ridge page. Zobacz ten szlak → | Kiry or Kuźnice | 8 h 27 min | Nie |
|
Polecany
Via Kondracka Pass
Yellow to the pass, red to Kopa and Małołączniak. No chains. This loop is what the figures at the top of the page show.
Mapa i profil trasy
Via Kondracka Pass
Profil wysokościowy trasy
Wykres podejść wygenerowany ze śladu GPX. Przesuń kursor lub palec po wykresie, aby sprawdzić profil podejścia i punkty kulminacyjne.
GPX · 15.09 km
Punkt kulminacyjny
2096m n.p.m.
przy 7.55 km
Najniższy punkt
938m n.p.m.
Podejścia (suma)
+1439m
Zejścia (suma)
-1439m
Dystans profilu
15.09km
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.
Małołączniak (2,096 m a.s.l.) is a massive peak lying in the very heart of the Czerwone Wierchy massif. It is a mountain of two faces: from the south (the Slovak side) it slopes down with gentle, grassy sides that you could run on. Conversely, from the north (the Polish side) it drops off in vertical, several-hundred-metre walls falling into the Mała Łąka Valley.
This is an excellent objective for people with good fitness who want to bag a high 2,000-metre peak, but avoid chains and climbing.
💡 In a nutshell – Małołączniak:
- No chains: The recommended variant from Gronik (yellow trail via Kondracka Pass) has no artificial aids.
- A long slog: The route is technically easy, but physically demanding (over 1,400 m of elevation gain).
- Watch out for fog and wind: The grassy domes of Czerwone Wierchy are very deceptive in fog. The ridge is also highly exposed to strong winds.
- Kobylarzowy Żleb: If you are looking for a variant with a chain (a short rock step), choose the blue trail through Kobylarzowy Żleb (described on a separate page).
💡 Logistics Pro Tip: The car park in Gronik (the trailhead) is very small. On sunny summer weekends, it fills up by around 7:30 AM! If you don’t like waking up at dawn, take a minibus from Zakopane to the start. Before heading out, make sure to check the wind forecast – the Czerwone Wierchy ridge is highly exposed to gales.
Trail description: Safely via Kondracka Pass
The figures at the top of the page show the safest and technically easiest ascent variant from Gronik. There are no chains here!
Stage 1: Through the Mała Łąka Valley
We start in Gronik and join the yellow trail.
- Initially we walk along the floor of the Mała Łąka Valley. After about 45 minutes we emerge onto Wielka Polana Małołącka. This is a beautiful place from which you can perfectly see the massive Wielka Turnia.
- Beyond the meadow, the path enters the forest and begins to climb steeply.
Stage 2: Murderous approach to the Pass
This is the most physically demanding part of the trip.
- The yellow trail climbs sharply upwards, in zigzags, all the way to Kondracka Pass. This is a place where crowds of tourists heading for Giewont usually swarm.
- We, however, turn right at the pass (onto the red trail), leaving the crowd behind us.
Stage 3: The ridge to Małołączniak
From Kondracka Pass we follow the red ridge trail.
- First we climb Kopa Kondracka (2,005 m a.s.l.).
- From Kopa, a short, very scenic and gentle walk along a broad ridge awaits us straight to the summit of Małołączniak.
- The summit is flat and vast. Warning: Do not approach the northern edge (from the Zakopane side) to take a photo! Right behind it is the precipice of the Wielki Żleb.
We recommend descending by exactly the same, safe route (yellow trail).
What about Kobylarzowy Żleb?
Małołączniak can also be climbed via the blue trail through the so-called Kobylarzowy Żleb. This is a separate variant that has a short section with chains. We have described it in detail on a separate page: Małołączniak via Kobylarzowy Żleb. If you do not like slippery rock and chains, stick to the yellow trail described above.
Logistics and warnings
- Parking: The car park in Gronik is small and fills up very quickly in the summer season (often before 8:00 AM).
- Deadly fog: The Czerwone Wierchy are famous for the “whiteout” phenomenon. In fog, the vast dome of Małołączniak becomes a trap. It is easy to lose the trail here and head towards the northern cliffs. If visibility drops to a few metres, rigorously stick to the poles marking the trail!
- Wind: The ridge is completely exposed. Windy days mean real gales here. Always have a jacket in your backpack.
Who is this absolutely NOT for?
Do not attempt Małołączniak if you do not have a few shorter Tatra hikes behind you. Over 1,400 metres of elevation gain is a massive effort that “cuts the power” in your legs. Do not go here with a dog (TPN ban). In winter it is avalanche terrain, requiring equipment and experience.
Getting there, parking & buses
Trailhead logistics – reach the start smoothly without parking hassle.
Trailhead:Gronik
Parking & car access
Paid on site (TPN forest car park)
TPN Gronik car park / Mała Łąka Valley entrance
Parking fee: 30–40 PLN / day
Medium forest car park along the Kościelisko road. TPN ticket booth on site (cards and cash accepted). Fast start for Małołączniak and Giewont.
Bus & transit access
Buses from Station towards Kościelisko / Kiry
Route & bus stop: Zakopane Main Station ➔ „Kościelisko Gronik” stop (on request)
Fare: ~7–9 PLN
Board any bus to Kiry or Chochołowska and ask the driver for the Gronik stop.
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
- Wielka Polana Małołącka
- Kopa Kondracka on the way
- Giewont from the ridge
- Czerwony Grzbiet
Photos from the trail
Questions
Are there chains on Małołączniak?
Not on the recommended variant. Yellow from Gronik via Kondracka Pass and red to Kopa and Małołączniak have no chains. The only chain is on the blue trail through Kobylarzowy Żleb — a short step, not Giewont.
Which variant should I pick?
If you want a 2,000 m peak from Mała Łąka without technique, take the yellow via Kondracka. Kobylarzowy Żleb has its own page. The full Czerwone Wierchy ridge is a separate page.
Where do I park?
The car park at the mouth of Dolina Małej Łąki in Gronik. In season it fills in the morning. Buy a TPN ticket at the trailhead or online.
How high is Małołączniak?
Małołączniak is 2096 m above sea level.
Małołączniak: how long does it take?
Start: Gronik, finish in the same place. The whole route is 15.6 km and takes 8 h 02 min of walking without breaks, with about 1432 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#chains#fitness
Małołączniak via Kobylarzowy Żleb
Małołączniak from Gronik via Kobylarzowy Żleb with a short chain, down via Kopa Kondracka: 14.4 km, 7 h 27 min. Parking, times, when to turn around.
⏱️ 7 h 27 min📏 14.4 km🎯 medium
View trailSimilar trails
- Difficulty: ModerateWestern Tatras
Ornak
Start: Kiry (Kościeliska Valley) · via Views of Starorobociański Wierch and Kominiarski Wierch within arm’s reach
- 7:49 h
- Time
- 19.2 km
- Distance
- +1121 m
- Ascent
Difficulty: ModerateWestern TatrasRakoń
Start: Siwa Polana (Chochołów Valley) · via Views of the Roháče and Długi Upłaz
- 8:50 h
- Time
- 22.6 km
- Distance
- +1149 m
- Ascent
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Plan your trip
Where to stay - KościeliskoThe closest base for this trail. Check availability and prices in Kościelisko.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