Zakopane Day Tripper - The Best Guide to Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains

In Krakow at present, there's a swarm of agencies tempting you with VIP day trips to Zakopane. Individual chauffeurs guiding you to top spots is certainly an attractive stress-free luxury. But hold onto your wallets folks, as these offerings come with a hefty price tag. Also, Zakopane is no one-trick pony with just baths, cable cars, and cheese tastings. So psst, want a budget-friendly tip? Public transport is the unsung hero here, whisking you away to Zakopane at a fraction of the cost of those pricey tours. Here are some hints and tips to help you if you fancy self guiding yourself to this unique part of Poland. Getting there Zakopane is located 110 km (68 miles) from Krakow. In theory this should mean the journey should take no time at all. However, it is important to note that during Polish school holidays, despite great ongoing improvements to the road, it can be very congested on the approach to Zakopane itself. There is one relatively fast train a day, but in my experience,...

View from the top of Kasprowy Wierch cable car Lots of visitors to Kraków are increasingly looking at the option of going on a day trip to the mountain town of Zakopane. Located 66 miles south of the city, Zakopane is nestled amongst the dramatic peaks of the alpine Tatra Mountains. These mountains straddle the border between Poland and Slovakia and are a designated national park (Tatrzański Park Narodowy). The park covers an area of 81.71 miles and is home to brown bear, grey wolf, Eurasian lynx, European otter, Tatra chamois and marmot amongst other species. There many beautiful valleys, lakes, rivers, forests, jagged peaks, waterfalls and lofty ridges with stunning views. A popular day trip activity to Zakopane is to ascend the cable car to the top of Kasprowy Wierch to enjoy the dramatic mountain views. Agencies offering these trips from Kraków are charging pretty hefty amounts of money for this experience. The good news is that Zakopane is brilliantly served by public transpor...

Orla Perć Looking towards Kozie Czuby and Kozi Wierch on Orla Perc This high mountain ridge in the Polish High Tatras takes in several peaks and, in English, literally translates as the Eagles Path. This should straight away give you a clue as to the exposure and views that this trail affords. It should not be attempted by anyone who does not have experience in the mountains. It requires a good head for heights and exposure, good levels of fitness, proper mountain clothing and footwear. In summer, the various sections of the ridge make for a very exhilarating day up above 2000 metres. The total time for the ridge is around 8 hours, but this does not take into account the amount of time to walk into it in the first place, and back out, which would typically add another 4 or more hours onto this. Hence, this ridge is best tackled, in sections, on different days or visits. Orla Perc appears as the red trail on this map Try zooming in and out on this interactive map below to see the trails...