Difficulty: Easy
Dolina Małej Łąki (The Mała Łąka Valley)
Start: Gronik · via Wielka Polana Małołącka and View of Giewont
- 1:47 h
- Time
- 4.2 km
- Distance
- +250 m
- Ascent
Difficulty: Easywestern tatraslakefor familyeasy routes
Smreczyński Staw
1227 m a.s.l. · trail green / black · start: Kiry (Kościeliska Valley)
Trail openBulletin as of 18 października 2026
Official TPN bulletinNo reported closures or obstacles on this trail according to the official TPN bulletin (18 października 2026).
PolecanyKiry – Smreczyński Staw
Czas i dystans dla całej wycieczki, z powrotem do startu.
Tempo
3 h 52 minSzacunek od czasu z opisu, bez kolejek i postojów.
- easy
- green
- black
- Dla rodzin: Tak
- Z psem: Nie
- 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kiry – Smreczyński StawPolecany Green to Ornak, black through the spruce. No chains. A pushchair fails after the hut. The figures at the top of the page show this loop. | Kiry | 3 h 52 min | Nie |
|
Kościeliska Valley only A wide road to the hut. No black trail, no lake. A pushchair will manage. Separate page: Kościeliska Valley. Zobacz ten szlak → | Kiry | 2 h 59 min | Nie |
|
With Wąwóz Kraków The lake plus a turn at Hala Pisana. Anyone can reach the Rynek. The ladder is another page: Wąwóz Kraków. Zobacz ten szlak → | Kiry | 5 h | TakOnly Smocza Jama: a ladder and chains. The valley floor and the lake have none. |
|
Polecany
Kiry – Smreczyński Staw
Green to Ornak, black through the spruce. No chains. A pushchair fails after the hut. The figures at the top of the page show this loop.
Mapa i profil trasy
Kiry – Smreczyński Staw
Profil wysokościowy trasy
Wykres podejść wygenerowany ze śladu GPX. Przesuń kursor lub palec po wykresie, aby sprawdzić profil podejścia i punkty kulminacyjne.
GPX · 13.42 km
Punkt kulminacyjny
1241m n.p.m.
przy 6.77 km
Najniższy punkt
933m n.p.m.
Podejścia (suma)
+492m
Zejścia (suma)
-493m
Dystans profilu
13.42km
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.
Smreczyński Staw (1,227 m a.s.l.) is a glacial lake hidden in a dense spruce forest, just above the Kościeliska Valley. Unlike the loud and crowded Morskie Oko, there is an extraordinary peace and quiet here. It is an ideal place for a short rest away from the crowds who stay in the valley for apple pie.
💡 In a nutshell – Smreczyński Staw:
- Access: From the Kościeliska Valley (just before the Hala Ornak hut), turn onto the black trail. It’s only a 30-minute walk one way.
- For families: You can reach the hut with a pushchair, but the black trail to the lake is not suitable for it (roots and stones). Leave it at the hut.
- Strict reserve: You must not leave the trail, enter the water, or make noise. It is a wildlife sanctuary.
- End of the trail: The trail ends at the viewing platform by the lake. There is no passage further on.
The lake is shallow (maximum 5 metres deep), and its water has a dark, almost black colour, in which the peaks of the Western Tatras are beautifully reflected.
Trail description: A short hop from the Kościeliska Valley
The figures at the top of the page show the time and distance for a trip from Kiry (the mouth of the Kościeliska Valley) to the lake and back. The walk to the lake from the valley floor itself takes only 30 minutes.
Stage 1: A walk through the Kościeliska Valley
From Kiry we set off along the wide, gravel road along the floor of the Kościeliska Valley (green trail).
- This is an extremely picturesque, approx. 1.5-hour walk along the stream, between high limestone rocks (so-called gates).
- Just before the hut on Hala Ornak, at the trail junction, we turn left onto the black trail.
Stage 2: Through the spruce forest
From this moment, the wide road ends. We enter a typical forest mountain path.
- The black trail climbs gently up through a dense spruce forest (so-called Smreczyny – hence the name of the lake).
- The path is full of protruding roots and stones. After about 30 minutes of walking, we reach the shore of the lake.
Stage 3: Relaxing by the water
On the shore of Smreczyński Staw there is a wooden viewing platform with benches.
- Views: From the platform you can perfectly see the massive massif of Błyszcz and Bystra (the highest peak in the Western Tatras), which tower over the Pyszniańska Valley.
- After resting, we return exactly the same way (black trail) to the Kościeliska Valley.
Logistics and warnings
- Strict reserve: The area around the lake is a strict nature reserve and a refuge for wild animals (including bears). You absolutely must not leave the trail or enter the water!
- Pushchair: While you can easily drive a pushchair along the floor of the Kościeliska Valley, the black trail to the lake is completely impassable for a pushchair (roots and stones). You must leave the pushchair at the hut on Hala Ornak.
- No trail further on: The black trail ends at the lake. There is no legal passage from here further deep into the Pyszniańska Valley.
Who is this absolutely NOT for?
Do not bring a dog here (TPN ban). If you are looking for a place to swim or a loud picnic by the water, you have come to the wrong place – this is a zone of silence and nature protection. If you only care about eating dinner in the hut, stay at the bottom – the lake requires an additional 30-minute uphill walk.
Getting there, parking & buses
Trailhead logistics – reach the start smoothly without parking hassle.
Trailhead:Kiry (Kościeliska Valley)
Parking & car access
Paid on site (private & municipal car parks)
Kiry car parks (at Kościeliska Valley entrance)
Parking fee: 30–40 PLN / day
Numerous parking lots line the road in Kiry. On sunny weekend mornings they fill up after 8:30 AM. Some accept cards, but cash is recommended.
Bus & transit access
Buses from Main Station towards Kościelisko & Kiry
Route & bus stop: Zakopane Main Station ➔ Aleje 3 Maja ➔ Kościelisko ➔ Kiry (bus stop right by TPN gate)
Fare: ~8–10 PLN one-way
Buses marked „Kiry / Dolina Kościeliska” depart every 10–15 minutes.
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
- The mountain hut on Hala Ornak
- The viewing platform above the lake
- Views of Bystra and Błyszcz
- Spruce forest (Smreczyny)
Photos from the trail
Questions
Can I get to the lake with a pushchair?
No. A pushchair as far as Ornak. The last 30 min on black is roots and stones — leave it at the hut.
Can you swim in the lake?
No. A strict reserve, bear habitat. You do not leave the trail, you do not enter the water, you do not go into Pyszniańska Valley — there is no trail there.
Do I have to go to the lake if I am going to Ornak anyway?
The figures at the top of the page are the lake. The valley floor without the black trail has its own page. There are no chains on either of those variants.
Can I bring a dog?
No. TPN, including the black trail to the lake.
Smreczyński Staw: are there chains on the route?
No, the route described on this page has no chains.
Smreczyński Staw: how long does it take?
Start: Kiry (Kościeliska Valley), finish in the same place. The whole route is 13.5 km and takes 3 h 52 min of walking without breaks, with about 480 m of ascent. Add time for rests and photos.
Newsletter
Tatras in your inbox
A few times a year: trail conditions, closures, the best time to go and new routes. No weekly spam.
Next trail in this area
Planning your next hike? From the same starting point and area, we recommend:
#western tatras#ridge#quiet
Ornak
Ornak (1854 m) from Kiry via the Ornak hut and Iwaniacka Pass: 19.2 km, 7 h 49 min, no chains. A quieter ridge than the Red Peaks (Czerwone Wierchy).
⏱️ 7 h 49 min📏 19.2 km🎯 medium
View trailSimilar trails
Difficulty: EasyWestern TatrasDolina Białego (The Biały Valley)
Start: Dolina Białego · via White Stream and Uranium Adits
- 2:10 h
- Time
- 5.1 km
- Distance
- +305 m
- Ascent
- Difficulty: EasyWestern Tatras
Dolina Chochołowska (The Chochołowska Valley)
Start: Siwa Polana · via Chochołowska Glade and The mountain hut at Chochołowska Glade
- 3:45 h
- Time
- 12.6 km
- Distance
- +321 m
- Ascent
Read also
for familyTrails with kids in the Tatras - 7 routes without the traps
Trails with kids in the Tatras: routes that do not overestimate their strength. Check times, difficulty, weather, pushchairs, crowds and the rules of a safe turnaround.
for familyCan children go up Kasprowy Wierch?
Can children go up Kasprowy Wierch? We look at the cable car, the trails, the weather and the rules, so a family trip does not end in stress in the Tatras in winter.
tipsMorskie Oko: how long on foot? Real trail time
Morskie Oko: how long on foot? Check the real walk from Palenica, pace on the trail, stops, weather and a return plan without the summer rush and queues.
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 →
These are affiliate links. If you book a stay or a ticket through them, we earn a small commission, for coffee :), at no extra cost to you.
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