Małołączniak

Małołączniak stands at 2,096 m above sea level. It is the “sharp player” in the gentle group of the Czerwone Wierchy. Although its southern slopes are grassy and gentle, the northern face drops away in a gigantic, several-hundred-metre cliff towards Dolina Małej Łąki.

This is a unique mountain for two reasons:

1. It hides the largest caves in Poland inside it (including Wielka Śnieżna).
2. A trail with chains leads to it, which is rare in the Western Tatras.

Trail description: an adrenaline loop

The best option is to climb the more difficult trail and descend by the easier one. We start in Gronik.

1. Idyllic beginning (Dolina Małej Łąki): The first hour is a walk through forest and the beautiful Wielka Polana Małołącka. The view of the cliffs of Wielka Turnia is impressive, but this is only the warm-up.
2. Kobylarzowy Żleb (blue trail): Beyond the meadow, the trail enters the forest and then a steep, stony gully.
   • Chains: Halfway up the gully we encounter a smooth rock step secured with chains.
   • Difficulty: This is not Orla Perć, but the rock is polished and the slope is significant. For beginners it is the first serious test of chain technique.
   • Above the chains, the trail leads to the Red Ridge - a broad scenic slope that takes us straight to the summit.
3. Summit above the abyss: The summit of Małołączniak is flat, but do not go too close to the northern edge! Below lies Wielki Żleb - one of the biggest drops in the Tatras. The view of Giewont from here (from above) is unique.

Return: via Kopa Kondracka (loop)

Instead of descending the slippery chains (which is dangerous), keep going along the ridge!

1. Follow the red trail east to the neighbouring Kopa Kondracka. It is a beautiful walk along a “high-mountain pavement” with views of the High Tatras.
2. From Kopa Kondracka descend (yellow trail) to Kondracka Pass, and from there continue down the yellow trail to Dolina Małej Łąki.
3. You close the loop at Wielka Polana Małołącka, returning to Gronik the same way you came in the morning.

Why this variant?

• Training before Rysy: Kobylarzowy Żleb is the perfect place to see how you react to chains in a safer environment than on Rysy or Zawrat.
• Geology: The awareness that a kilometre of emptiness (a cave system) lies beneath your feet gives the trip an extra layer of mystery.

Practical information

• Slipperiness: The limestone rocks in Kobylarzowy Żleb (by the chains) are polished to a mirror finish. After rain, climbing there is very difficult, and descending is risky.
• Water: After passing the stream in the valley, there is not a drop of water on the rest of the route. In summer the Red Ridge is a “frying pan”.
• Fitness: The loop is 14 km and almost 1,200 metres of ascent. It is a solid all-day outing.