Difficulty: ModerateWestern Tatras
Kasprowy Wierch via Gąsienicowa
Start: Kuźnice · via Murowaniec hut and Hala Gąsienicowa
- 4:01 h
- Time
- 7.6 km
- Distance
- +1056 m
- Ascent
Difficulty: ModerateHigh Tatrashigh tatraspanoramafitness
Szpiglasowy Wierch (via Ceprostrada)
2172 m a.s.l. · trail red / yellow · start: Palenica Białczańska
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.
PolecanyCeprostrada out and back
- Wysokość
- 2172 m a.s.l.
- Dystans
- 24.9 km
- Czas przejścia
- 9 h 03 min
- Suma podejść
- 1544 m
- Start
- Palenica Białczańska
- Meta
- Palenica Białczańska
Czas i dystans dla całej wycieczki, z powrotem do startu.
Tempo
9 h 03 minSzacunek od czasu z opisu, bez kolejek i postojów.
- medium
- red
- yellow
- High Tatras
- Dla rodzin: Nie
- Z psem: Nie
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ceprostrada out and backPolecany Tarmac to Morskie Oko, yellow to the pass and summit, same way back. No chains. The figures at the top of the page show this loop. | Palenica Białczańska | 9 h 03 min | Nie |
|
Loop via Five Lakes Chains up, Ceprostrada down. Separate page with its own map. Two valleys, a short chain. Zobacz ten szlak → | Palenica Białczańska | 9 h 22 min | TakA short section from Five Lakes, not Ceprostrada. |
|
Polecany
Ceprostrada out and back
Tarmac to Morskie Oko, yellow to the pass and summit, same way back. No chains. The figures at the top of the page show this loop.
Mapa i profil trasy
Ceprostrada out and back
Profil wysokościowy trasy
Wykres podejść wygenerowany ze śladu GPX. Przesuń kursor lub palec po wykresie, aby sprawdzić profil podejścia i punkty kulminacyjne.
GPX · 24.42 km
Punkt kulminacyjny
2174m n.p.m.
przy 12.19 km
Najniższy punkt
984m n.p.m.
Podejścia (suma)
+1568m
Zejścia (suma)
-1568m
Dystans profilu
24.42km
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.
Szpiglasowy Wierch (2,172 m a.s.l.) is an absolute hit of the High Tatras. This summit is famous for one thing: the panorama. Standing on top, you have two of the largest Tatra valleys beneath your feet at the same time: on one side the “well” of Morskie Oko and Czarny Staw, on the other the vast plateau of the Valley of Five Polish Lakes.
💡 In a nutshell – Szpiglasowy Wierch in a nutshell:
- For whom: For people with very good fitness who want to climb over 2,100 m without chains (the Ceprostrada variant).
- Difficulties: No precipices or chains, but the distance is a monster (almost 25 km from the car park and back).
- Views: From the pass and the summit, you can see both Morskie Oko and the Valley of Five Lakes at the same time.
- Variant with chains: If you want to do the loop via Five Lakes, remember that there (from the D5S side) is a short but steep section with chains.
For many hikers, it is a natural “next step” after reaching Giewont or Czerwone Wierchy, and before attacking Rysy.
Trail description: Ceprostrada out and back
The variant recommended on this page is technically the easiest route to Szpiglasowy Wierch. There is not a single chain here, no precipices. However, there is a lot of walking.
Stage 1: The tarmac run-up
We start at the car park in Palenica Białczańska and head along the red trail (the famous tarmac road) towards Morskie Oko. This is an 8-kilometre walk, which you can shorten by taking a horse-drawn carriage (though you still have a solid effort ahead of you higher up).
Stage 2: The famous “Ceprostrada”
From the mountain hut at Morskie Oko, we join the yellow trail. This is the famous “Ceprostrada” – a wide, comfortable path made of large boulders that climbs in gentle zigzags up the slopes of Miedziane.
- Safety: The route is long and tiring, but completely devoid of technical difficulties. There are no chains or sheer drops under your feet.
- Views: Along the way, you will admire Mnich from an unusual perspective (“from the back”) and an ever-widening panorama of Morskie Oko.
Stage 3: Szpiglas Pass and the Summit
Ceprostrada leads us to Szpiglas Pass. From here, it is literally a 15-minute walk along the ridge to the summit of Szpiglasowy Wierch. This is where the legendary view of two valleys at once opens up! After resting, we return exactly the same way (yellow trail to Morskie Oko, then tarmac to Palenica).
Alternative: The Five Lakes loop (with chains)
If you want to vary your trip and see both valleys “up close”, you can climb Szpiglasowy Wierch from the Valley of Five Lakes and descend via Ceprostrada.
- Note: The approach from the Five Lakes side to Szpiglas Pass is secured with chains (it is a short, rocky section).
- We have described this variant on a separate page: Szpiglasowy from Five Lakes.
Practical information
- The distance is a monster: Do not be fooled by stories of the “easy Ceprostrada”. The whole trip (from Palenica and back) is almost 25 kilometres and over 1,500 metres of elevation gain. It is a full-scale, all-day expedition that will make you sweat.
- Parking: Palenica Białczańska (TPN e-ticket required, in season the car park fills up early in the morning).
Who this is absolutely NOT for?
Do not bring people here who complain about leg pain halfway up the tarmac to Morskie Oko. Do not be fooled by the name “Ceprostrada” (tourist highway) – this is not a promenade, it is still high mountains. Do not go here in ordinary trainers, especially after rain, because it is easy to take a painful fall on wet boulders.
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
- Views of Morskie Oko and Five Lakes at once
- Szpiglas Pass
- The famous Ceprostrada
- Mnich (rear view)
Questions
Is the "Ceprostrada" easy?
Technically yes — a wide path from Morskie Oko, no chains and no exposure. Fitness-wise no: from Palenica it is a full day and more than 20 kilometres.
Are there chains on Szpiglas?
Not on the recommended variant. Ceprostrada out and back has no chains. The chain is only on the loop, on the descent to the Valley of Five Lakes — a short section, not the whole mountain.
Do I have to do the Five Lakes loop?
No. The loop is prettier, because you see both valleys, but it has a chain — a separate page. If you do not want chains, return on Ceprostrada to Morskie Oko.
Where do I park?
Palenica Białczańska. In season it fills in the morning. Buy the TPN ticket at the gate or online. Walk or take the bus to Morskie Oko, then the yellow trail onto Ceprostrada.
How high is Szpiglasowy Wierch?
Szpiglasowy Wierch is 2172 m above sea level.
Szpiglasowy Wierch: how long does it take?
Start: Palenica Białczańska, finish in the same place. The whole route is 24.9 km and takes 9 h 03 min of walking without breaks, with about 1544 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:
#high tatras#panorama#lake
Zawrat from Five Lakes
Zawrat Pass (2158 m) from Palenica via the Five Polish Lakes Valley: 11.3 km, 4 h 45 min up, no chains. The easier side of the pass. When not to go on to Orla Perć.
⏱️ 4 h 45 min📏 11.3 km🎯 medium
View trailSimilar trails
Difficulty: ModerateHigh TatrasCzarny Staw pod Rysami
Start: Palenica Białczańska · via Views of Morskie Oko from above and The shadow of Rysy and Kazalnica
- 5:54 h
- Time
- 19.1 km
- Distance
- +819 m
- Ascent
Difficulty: ModerateWestern TatrasCzerwone 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
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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