Difficulty: HardHigh Tatras
Świnica
Start: Kuźnice · via Views of Kościelec and Orla Perć and Zawrat Pass
- 9:32 h
- Time
- 18.6 km
- Distance
- +1586 m
- Ascent
Difficulty: HardHigh Tatrashigh tatrasorla perćchainsexposure
Zawrat Pass (from Hala Gąsienicowa)
2158 m a.s.l. · trail blue · start: Kuźnice
High-altitude conditionsBulletin as of 20 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.
PolecanyFrom Hala Gąsienicowa to Five Lakes
- Wysokość
- 2158 m a.s.l.
- Dystans
- 19.9 km
- Czas przejścia
- 8 h 34 min
- Suma podejść
- 1338 m
- Start
- Kuźnice
- Meta
- Palenica Białczańska
Czas i dystans dla całej wycieczki, w jedną stronę do mety: Palenica Białczańska.
Tempo
8 h 34 minSzacunek od czasu z opisu, bez kolejek i postojów.
- difficult
- blue
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
From Hala Gąsienicowa to Five LakesPolecany Czarny Staw, Zmarzły, the chained gully, descent to Five Lakes. The figures at the top of the page show this traverse. | Kuźnice | 8 h 34 min | TakNew Zawrat. Gully, rungs, falling stones. |
|
From Five Lakes out and back No chains. Separate page with its own map. The climb; count the descent separately. Zobacz ten szlak → | Palenica Białczańska | 4 h 45 min | Nie |
|
Polecany
From Hala Gąsienicowa to Five Lakes
Czarny Staw, Zmarzły, the chained gully, descent to Five Lakes. The figures at the top of the page show this traverse.
Mapa i profil trasy
From Hala Gąsienicowa to Five Lakes
Profil wysokościowy trasy
Wykres podejść wygenerowany ze śladu GPX. Przesuń kursor lub palec po wykresie, aby sprawdzić profil podejścia i punkty kulminacyjne.
GPX · 19.41 km
Punkt kulminacyjny
2164m n.p.m.
przy 8.61 km
Najniższy punkt
984m n.p.m.
Podejścia (suma)
+1349m
Zejścia (suma)
-1390m
Dystans profilu
19.41km
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.
Zawrat Pass (2,158 m above sea level) is one of the most important and iconic places in the High Tatras. It is a narrow, high-mountain “gate” connecting the raw Gąsienicowa Valley with the sunny Valley of Five Polish Lakes. It is also the historic and actual start of the hardest trail in Poland - the notorious Orla Perć.
A trip to Zawrat from Hala Gąsienicowa is the essence of high-mountain hiking: there are dark lakes, steep rocks, sequences of chains, metal rungs, and incredible satisfaction at the top.
💡 In a nutshell – Zawrat from Hala Gąsienicowa:
- Two different worlds: The approach from Hala Gąsienicowa (New Zawrat) is a steep climb with chains. The descent to the Five Lakes is gentle and safe (no artificial aids).
- Watch out for snow: In the north-facing gully on the Gąsienicowa side, hard snow often lingers until July. Without crampons, entering it is a deadly risk.
- A helmet is useful: The gully is fragile, and hikers above often dislodge stones.
- Variant without chains: If you prefer to avoid climbing, ascend Zawrat from the Valley of Five Lakes (and return the same way).
Trail description: “The road to hell, return through heaven”
By far the most interesting and classic variant is the approach from Hala Gąsienicowa (where it is steep and difficult) and the descent south to the Five Lakes (where it is gentle and safe).
Stage 1: Towards the darkness
From Kuźnice we walk to Murowaniec and then continue to the shore of Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy. From here, the blue trail climbs steeply, bypassing the lake basin. We pass the small Zmarzły Staw, hidden in the shade (which is often frozen even in the middle of summer!). We enter a raw, rocky, and shaded world.
Stage 2: Zawrat Gully (Key difficulties)
Above Zmarzły Staw, the real climb begins. The trail (known as the “New Zawrat”) leads up a steep, rocky gully.
- This is where the sequences of chains and metal rungs begin.
- The ascent is very steep, exhausting, and requires constant use of your hands (three-point contact).
- Watch your head! The rock in the gully is very fragile. Tourists walking higher up often knock stones loose. A climbing helmet is highly recommended here.
On the pass: Two worlds
Zawrat is a very narrow notch in a sharp ridge. You will find the famous, small figure of the Virgin Mary of Zawrat (patron of Tatra climbers) attached to the rock here. The view from the pass is a shockingly stark contrast:
- North (where we came from): A dark, vertical drop, raw rocks, and the eternal shade of the Gąsienicowa Valley.
- South (where we are going): Open space, sun, and the blue surfaces of the lakes in the vast Valley of Five Lakes.
Descent to the “Five Lakes”
From Zawrat we descend to the southern side, towards the Valley of Five Lakes (following the blue trail the whole time).
- Compared to the murderous ascent up the gully, this descent is pure relaxation.
- There are no chains or exposure here. The path gently drops down in zigzags.
- It is the ideal scenic route that will lead us straight to the mountain hut for a well-deserved apple pie, and then (through the Roztoka Valley) to the car park at Palenica Białczańska.
Warning: Snow in the Gully (A deadly trap)
Zawrat Gully (on the Gąsienicowa side) faces north and is very deep, which means the sun rarely reaches it.
- Snow stays here for a very long time, regularly until mid-July, and in colder years even throughout the summer!
- Stepping onto a hard, icy patch of snow in summer shoes, without crampons and an ice axe, is a deadly risk. A slip ends in an uncontrolled slide onto protruding rocks. Always, without exception, ask at the Murowaniec mountain hut about current conditions in the gully!
Where next? (Trail junction)
Zawrat is one of the most important junction points in the Tatras:
- Left (east): The start of Orla Perć towards Kozi Wierch (one-way trail, extremely difficult!).
- Right (west): The ridge to Świnica (very difficult, with chains, one-way traffic from Zawrat).
- Down: To the Valley of Five Lakes (described above, a safe descent).
Other variant: From Five Lakes out and back
If you want to climb Zawrat but are afraid of chains and precipices, choose the variant from the south. Separate page: Zawrat from Five Lakes. There are no chains on this side at all. The approach from Palenica is 11.3 km (approx. 4 h 45 min).
It is a much easier and safer day than climbing the “New Zawrat”. If someone in your group has never dealt with chains — start from Palenica, not from Kuźnice.
Who this is absolutely NOT for?
Do not take someone on this trail who “has never used chains, but is strong from the gym and will manage”. The gully from the Gąsienicowa side is not a training wall. Do not go there if hard snow is still lying in June or July and you do not have crampons in your backpack. And most importantly: do not add Orla Perć from Zawrat thinking “since we are already here, let’s keep going”, if just climbing to the pass exhausted you. Orla Perć does not forgive mistakes.
Getting there, parking & buses
Trailhead logistics – reach the start smoothly without parking hassle.
Trailhead:Kuźnice
Parking & car access
No private car access – bus or walk only
Car parks near Rondo Jana Pawła II / Bronisława Czecha St.
Parking fee: 30–45 PLN / day (private & municipal car parks near Rondo JP2)
From Rondo Jana Pawła II, private cars are strictly prohibited. Reach Kuźnice only by local bus (5 min) or on foot via Aleja Przewodników Tatrzańskich (20–25 min).
Bus & transit access
Buses from Main Station & Rondo JP2 to Kuźnice
Route & bus stop: Main Station (Transport Hub) ➔ Rondo Jana Pawła II ➔ Kuźnice (cableway station)
Fare: ~5–6 PLN (cash payment to driver)
Buses shuttle every 5–10 minutes from dawn till dusk. Prepare exact change.
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 beginning of Orla Perć
- The Virgin Mary of Zawrat figure
- Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy
- Zmarzły Staw
Questions
Which side is easier?
From the Valley of Five Lakes it is much easier and there are no chains. From Hala Gąsienicowa (New Zawrat) it is a climb with chains. The figures at the top of the page show the Gąsienicowa side, because that is the page title.
Does snow stay in the gully?
On the Gąsienicowa side (north-facing), snow often remains until July. Then you need crampons. Do not step onto a hard patch in summer shoes.
Do I have to go from Gąsienicowa?
No. Out and back from Five Lakes is the easier day with no chains — a separate page. If someone in the group has never used chains — do not start from Czarny Staw.
Zawrat Pass: are there chains on the route?
Yes. New Zawrat. Gully, rungs, falling stones.
Zawrat Pass: how long does it take?
Start: Kuźnice, finish: Palenica Białczańska. The whole route is 19.9 km and takes 8 h 34 min of walking without breaks, with about 1338 m of ascent. Add time for rests and photos.
Newsletter
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#high tatras#orla perć#chains
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⏱️ 8 h 30 min📏 17.5 km🎯 very difficult
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Kozia Przełęcz
Start: Kuźnice · via Narrow rocky notch of Kozia Przełęcz and Kozia Dolinka and Zmarzły Staw
- 7:20 h
- Time
- 14.2 km
- Distance
- +1250 m
- Ascent
- Difficulty: Very hardHigh Tatras
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Start: Zawrat Pass · via Ladder at Kozia Pass and Traverse of Zamarła Turnia
- 6:25 h
- Time
- 4.3 km
- Distance
- +607 m
- Ascent
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Plan your trip
Where to stay - ZakopaneThe closest base for this trail. Check availability and prices in Zakopane.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