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The Most Beautiful Trails in the Polish Tatras for Beginners

The Tatra Mountains are one of the most beautiful mountain regions in Poland, offering many opportunities for tourists of different skill levels. For beginners or those looking for easy trails, the Tatras also have a lot to offer. Below are some easy trails in the Tatras, perfect for beginner hikers or families with children.

1. Rusinowa Polana and Gęsia Szyja

Rusinowa Polana is one of the most scenic meadows in the Polish Tatras, and the trail leading to it from Wierch Poroniec is one of the easiest in the Tatras. This short trail with a gentle slope is great for first hikes with kids, seniors, or anyone looking for a very easy path. It's also ideal for a winter trip.

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Rusinowa Polana from Wierch Poroniec

If you still have energy and desire for more hiking from Rusinowa Polana, you can head to Gęsia Szyja - one of the easier peaks to reach in the Tatras. Although the path is not technically difficult, it does involve a significant climb up wooden steps.

Goose Neck Peak

2. Polana Kalatówki

Kalatówki is a large meadow with a view towards Kasprowy Wierch. There is a mountain hotel with a restaurant on the meadow. Sheep grazing is also conducted here. The path to Polana Kalatówki is easy and short, even young children can handle it.

Kalatówki Meadow

3. Hala Stoły in the Kościeliska Valley

Hala Stoły is a meadow with old shepherd huts and a picturesque view in the Kościeliska Valley. The climb to Hala Stoły is not technically difficult and can be managed by preschoolers, although it does require some fitness as you climb about 360 meters. The trail to Polana Stoły is a great option for stepping off the wide valley paths and having a first adventure in the 'real' mountains.

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Hala Stoły - Scenic Meadow in the Kościeliska Valley

4. Kościeliska Valley

In our opinion, this is one of the most interesting and scenic valleys in the Tatras. The trail is very scenic right from the entrance to the valley - you don't have to go far to enjoy the beauty of the mountains. There are many rest spots in the valley, with wooden picnic benches. The valley also has additional attractions like the Kraków Gorge (a short rocky ravine with steep walls) and caves.

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Kościeliska Valley - Mountain Refuge at Hala Ornak

5. Strążyska Valley

Located near Zakopane, at the foot of Giewont with a view of its majestic peak. Walking through the valley is an easy stroll for everyone: families with children and older people. You walk through a spruce forest along the fast-flowing Strążyski Stream. At the end of the valley, there is Polana Strążyska with benches and a view of Giewont.

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Strążyska Valley and Siklawica Waterfall - Trail and Attractions

6. Przysłop Miętusi

This is one of the most beautiful places in the Tatras. Przysłop Miętusi is an easy-to-reach, very scenic pass between the peaks of the Kościeliska Valley and the Mała Łąka Valley. There is a picturesque meadow here, from which you can see the peak of Giewont. Przysłop Miętusi is also a crossroads of many trails, and for children, it can be an interesting destination for a mountain trip. From Przysłop Miętusi, you can descend to the Kościeliska Valley.

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Przysłop Miętusi and Wyżne Stanikowe Siodło - Red Trail from Nędzówka

7. Kopieniec Wielki and Polana pod Kopieńcem

Kopieniec Wielki, also known simply as Kopieniec, is one of the lower (1328 meters above sea level) and easy-to-reach peaks in the Tatras - perfect for hiking with children or on shorter autumn and winter days. Its exposed and rocky summit is an excellent viewpoint for Giewont, Czerwone Wierchy, and the High Tatras peaks. At the foot of the peak is Polana Kopieniec with old shepherd huts, where cultural sheep grazing is conducted, and in spring, crocuses bloom here! The shortest route to Kopieniec Wielki is the green trail from Cyhrla.

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Kopieniec Wielki and Meadow under Kopieniec - an easy and scenic peak in the Tatras

8. Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy and Murowaniec Shelter

Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Polish Tatras, located at an altitude of 1624 meters above sea level in the Gąsienicowa Valley, surrounded by peaks over 2000 meters high. Along with Morskie Oko, it is probably the most famous Tatra lake. From here, you can see the Orla Perć massif in all its formidable glory, stretching to Granaty and Kościelec. The easiest way to reach Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy is from Kuźnice. The trail is suitable for the average hiker, with no major technical difficulties, requiring only some fitness as you climb over 700 meters.

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Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy and Murowaniec Shelter - scenic loop from Kuźnice

9. Morskie Oko

Morskie Oko is undoubtedly the most popular place in the Polish Tatras, and it's no wonder - surrounded by monumental mountains, it makes an incredible impression. It is the largest and most beautiful lake in the Polish Tatras, located in the upper part of the Rybi Potok Valley, at an altitude of 1395 meters above sea level. The trail to Morskie Oko is entirely paved and wide, although it goes uphill!

Route to Morskie Oko

10. Trail around Morskie Oko

The paved trail to Morskie Oko is traveled daily by crowds of tourists. However, few know that this beautiful Tatra lake can be walked around! This is a footpath with slight terrain inclines, but very varied - you cross the trail by jumping over stones - not small ones! The trail takes you over a bridge and a waterfall flowing down from the mountains.

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Route around Morskie Oko Lake

11. Blue Trail to Gubałówka via Walowa Góra

Yes, we know - Gubałówka is not in the Tatras :) ...but it offers a beautiful panorama of the Tatras, and it is easy to reach. You can also take the trail one way, as you can ride up or down by cable car. We highly recommend reaching Gubałówka on your own by the scenic blue trail.