Photo: kallerna (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Nature · Poland
Morskie Oko lake
The largest lake in the Tatras, among granite peaks. Reached on foot or by horse-drawn cart.
Zakopane · Poland
The experience
Morskie Oko, the Eye of the Sea, is the largest lake in the Tatras, at about 1,400 metres in the national park, ringed by granite peaks including Rysy, Poland's highest summit. Its water is clear blue-green, and the mountains reflect in it on a still morning.
The trip starts at the Palenica Białczańska car park, about 40 minutes by car from Zakopane. From there a paved road of about 9 kilometres takes around two hours on foot, or horse-drawn carts cover most of it, a comfortable choice for families.
At the lake there is a historic mountain hostel with a simple restaurant, and a path around the shore that takes about an hour. Those who want more can climb to the higher Czarny Staw lake.
Start early, as the car park fills in summer and spaces must be booked in advance. We arrange the car and driver, and suggest walking shoes and layers.
Poland
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