Difficulty: HardHigh Tatras (Vysoké Tatry)
Jagnięcy Szczyt (Jahňací štít)
Start: Biela Voda · via Zelené pleso and Chata pri Zelenom plese
- 10:25 h
- Time
- 20.6 km
- Distance
- +1404 m
- Ascent
Difficulty: ModerateHigh Tatrashigh tatraschainspanoramalake
Szpiglasowy Wierch from Five Lakes
2172 m a.s.l. · trail green / yellow / red · start: Palenica Białczańska
High-altitude conditionsBulletin as of 2 listopada 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 są bardzo trudne. Na szlakach zalega śnieg i występują liczne oblodzenia. Jest bardzo ślisko. Wybierając się tam, należy posiadać doświadczenie w zimowej turystyce górskiej oraz odpowiedni sprzęt – lawinowe ABC, raki, czekan i kask, wraz z umiejętnością posługiwania się nim. Poślizgnięcie się na lodzie lub zmrożonym śniegu, może skończyć się długim, niekontrolowanym upadkiem, prowadzącym do ciężkich obrażeń lub śmierci.
PolecanyFive Lakes, chains up, Ceprostrada down
- Wysokość
- 2172 m a.s.l.
- Dystans
- 24.2 km
- Czas przejścia
- 9 h 22 min
- Suma podejść
- 1480 m
- Start
- Palenica Białczańska
- Meta
- Palenica Białczańska
Czas i dystans dla całej wycieczki, z powrotem do startu.
Tempo
9 h 22 minSzacunek od czasu z opisu, bez kolejek i postojów.
- medium / difficult
- green
- yellow
- red
- High Tatras
- Dla rodzin: Nie
- Z psem: Nie
- 32 zdjęcia
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Five Lakes, chains up, Ceprostrada downPolecany Roztoka, Five Lakes, chains to the pass, Ceprostrada to Morskie Oko. The map shows this loop. | Palenica Białczańska | 9 h 22 min | TakA short section from Five Lakes. The map goes up it. |
|
Ceprostrada out and back No chains. Separate page. Zobacz ten szlak → | Palenica Białczańska | 9 h 03 min | Nie |
|
Polecany
Five Lakes, chains up, Ceprostrada down
Roztoka, Five Lakes, chains to the pass, Ceprostrada to Morskie Oko. The map shows this loop.
Mapa i profil trasy
Five Lakes, chains up, Ceprostrada down
Profil wysokościowy trasy
Wykres podejść wygenerowany ze śladu GPX. Przesuń kursor lub palec po wykresie, aby sprawdzić profil podejścia i punkty kulminacyjne.
GPX · 23.68 km
Punkt kulminacyjny
2174m n.p.m.
przy 11.52 km
Najniższy punkt
984m n.p.m.
Podejścia (suma)
+1521m
Zejścia (suma)
-1521m
Dystans profilu
23.68km
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.
Szpiglasowy Wierch (2,172 m a.s.l.) conquered as a loop through the Valley of Five Lakes is one of the most beautiful, but also physically demanding trips in the Polish Tatras.
💡 In a nutshell – Szpiglasowy Wierch (loop) in a nutshell:
- For whom: For hikers with iron fitness who are not afraid of a short section with chains.
- Golden rule: Always go from the Five Lakes towards Morskie Oko! Climbing up the chains is much easier (and safer) than climbing down them.
- Difficulties: Chains below Szpiglas Pass (from the D5S side). The descent to Morskie Oko is a comfortable stone path (Ceprostrada).
- Distance: Prepare for over 24 km of walking and 10-11 hours in the mountains.
This variant is a “two-in-one”: you will see the two most famous Tatra valleys during a single outing, and along the way, you will tackle a short, exciting section with chains.
Trail description: The perfect loop (Chains up, comfort down)
The key to success on this route is the direction. We always recommend ascending from the Five Lakes side (where the chains are) and descending towards Morskie Oko (via the comfortable Ceprostrada). Climbing up the rock is much safer and psychologically easier than descending into the void.
Stage 1: Through Roztoka to Five Lakes
We start at Palenica Białczańska. We walk along the tarmac to Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza and turn onto the green trail into the Roztoka Valley. After about 2.5 hours of walking, we arrive in the Valley of Five Lakes. This is the perfect place for a longer break and to replenish calories.
Stage 2: The approach to the wall and chains
From the hut, we set off along the yellow trail towards Szpiglas Pass. Initially, we walk comfortably among dwarf pines, but soon we stand below a steep, rocky wall.
- The section with chains: This is where the difficulties begin. The rocky chute is secured with a series of chains.
- It is not the level of Orla Perć, but it requires the use of hands, sure footing, and a head for heights. When the rock is wet, it gets very slippery and dangerous here!
Stage 3: The summit and a view of two worlds
After overcoming the chains, we stand on Szpiglas Pass, from where a 15-minute walk (without any difficulties) takes us to the summit of Szpiglasowy Wierch. The panorama from here is legendary: on one side you see the blue surfaces of the Five Lakes, and on the other the massive, dark “well” of Morskie Oko.
Stage 4: Descent via “Ceprostrada”
From the pass, we descend towards Morskie Oko via the famous “Ceprostrada” (yellow trail). It is a wide, comfortable path made of large boulders. There is not a single chain here, so you can give your head a rest (although your knees will still take a beating). From Morskie Oko, you still have 8 kilometres of tarmac back to Palenica Białczańska.
Warnings and logistics
- The distance is a monster: The whole loop is over 24 kilometres. With breaks for food and rest, this trip will take you about 10-11 hours.
- Storms: Szpiglas Pass is a very exposed place. If you see dark clouds, turn back, even if you are just below the chains.
- Winter: The yellow trail from the Five Lakes side is extremely avalanche-prone terrain. In winter, this route is exclusively for mountaineers with full gear.
Alternative: Without chains
If a fear of heights prevents you from tackling the chains, all is not lost! You can conquer the same summit by ascending and descending via the comfortable Ceprostrada from the Morskie Oko side. We have described this on the page: Szpiglasowy Wierch (via Ceprostrada).
Who this is absolutely NOT for?
Do not attempt this loop if it is your first trip to the Tatras. Do not bring people here who have already run out of strength during the approach to the Five Lakes (and that is just the beginning of the trip!). If the sight of a precipice paralyzes you and you have never held Tatra chains in your hands – choose the Ceprostrada variant. And remember: do not do this loop “against the current” (from Morskie Oko), because descending the steep chains to the Five Lakes is asking for trouble.
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.
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.
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
- Siklawa on the way
- Valley of Five Lakes
- Both valleys from the summit
- Ceprostrada on the descent
Photos from the trail
Questions
Are there chains on this loop?
Yes, a short yellow section from Five Lakes to Szpiglas Pass. The map goes up them and down Ceprostrada. Walking down chains is psychologically harder — that is why this page does not start at Morskie Oko.
How long from Palenica?
24.2 km and 9 h 22 min on the map. Tarmac, Roztoka, chains, summit, Ceprostrada, tarmac. A bus to Morskie Oko does not shorten this loop — the Five Lakes hut is on the other side.
Do I have to do the loop?
No. Ceprostrada out and back has no chains. That is a separate page. Take the loop when you want both valleys and accept a short chain.
Where do I park?
Palenica Białczańska. Full in the morning in season. TPN ticket at the gate or online. Tarmac to Wodogrzmoty, then green into Roztoka — not red to Morskie Oko.
In summer, black or green into Five Lakes?
The map takes black from Roztoka to the hut and leaves green for Siklawa on the other side. In dry summer Siklawa is prettier; after rain black is often wiser. You still reach the chains on yellow above the lakes.
How high is Szpiglasowy Wierch?
Szpiglasowy Wierch is 2172 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:
#high tatras#fitness#lake
Przełęcz Krzyżne
Krzyżne Pass from Palenica via the Five Lakes Valley, down the Pańszczyca Valley to Kuźnice: 20.9 km, 9 h 25 min, no chains. A famous High Tatras panorama.
⏱️ 9 h 25 min📏 20.9 km🎯 difficult (physically)
View trailSimilar trails
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Start: Štrbské Pleso · via Veľké Hincovo pleso and Popradské pleso
- 8:37 h
- Time
- 20.9 km
- Distance
- +1364 m
- Ascent
- Difficulty: Very hardHigh Tatras
Mięguszowiecka Pass below Chłopek
Start: Palenica Białczańska · via The Gallery ledge and Morskie Oko from above
- 10:49 h
- Time
- 23.2 km
- Distance
- +1589 m
- Ascent
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Plan your trip
Where to stay - Bukowina TatrzańskaThe closest base for this trail. Check availability and prices in Bukowina Tatrzańska.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