A Great Hiking to Morskie Oko in Tatras Mountains

Morskie Oko is a glacial lake near the border between Poland and Slovakia, nestled in the Tatra Mountains. The stunning blue-green alpine lake lies at the bottom of a valley on the Polish side. I first discovered this place through an article in the Wall Street Journal. After doing some research and gathering more information, our family voted to include it in our weekend itinerary for Poland.

I’ve broken down our travel experience into four sections:

  • Discovering the history of Morskie Oko (Eye of the Sea)
  • Strolling around the lake
  • Hiking up to Czarny Staw (Black Pond)
  • Taking a break at the lakeside restaurant
Morskie Oko Lake View, Poland
Water falls next to the Morskie Oko, Poland

Discovering the history of Morskie Oko (Eye of the Sea)

Morskie Oko is a name given by tourists. The lake sits 1,395 metres above sea level and reaches a maximum depth of 51 metres.

It was formed during the last ice age, when glaciers slowly slid down from above, carving out the basin. Over time, the basin filled with water and fine particles of glacially-ground rock. As the years passed, these particles were gradually washed away, leaving the lake with crystal-clear water and visibility of up to 15 metres.

Strolling around the lake

Our family visited Morskie Oko in mid-May, and there was still some snow visible on the mountains surrounding the lake. It took us around an hour to walk the entire loop. The path was fairly flat, with large stones in many places, making it easy to navigate. We found picturesque spots nearly everywhere, and fortunately, there were no crowds to interrupt our view.

Along the way, we passed several waterfalls. In some areas, the water cascaded directly over the walkway and into the lake, so we had to be extra cautious on the slippery stones.

The area at the base of the waterfalls offered the perfect spot for photos. In early spring, when the snow melts, the number of waterfalls around the lake increases. In winter, the lake can freeze over, attracting visitors for a different kind of beauty.

Hiking up to Czarny Staw (Black Pond)

Czarny Staw (Black Pond) is the upper lake, and a sign by the lakeside marks the starting point for the hike. To reach this upper lake, we had to climb a series of steep stone stairs. The climb was challenging, but once at the top, we were rewarded with an almost panoramic view of Morskie Oko below. It was truly breathtaking! The water from Czarny Staw also flows into Morskie Oko, creating a series of beautiful waterfalls. We retraced our steps to return to the lakeside.

This area feels like an underrated gem. Most of the visitors we encountered were locals. From Czarny Staw, a hiking route leads up to Rysy Peak, the highest mountain in Poland. It takes roughly three hours and 50 minutes to reach the summit. The entire area is part of the Tatra National Park, a protected natural area, ensuring its beauty and serenity are preserved for future generations.

Morskie Oko, Poland
Hiking route signs at thee Morskie Oko, Poland

Taking a break at the lakeside restaurant

We left our hotel near Zakopane around 8:00 in the morning. After our hike, our family was both hungry and tired, so we decided to take a break at the lakeside restaurant. The restaurant had a charming, nostalgic décor. On the wall, we discovered a fascinating piece of history – it was where Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to conquer Mount Everest, visited the lake area on 21st June 2004.

Although no one at the restaurant spoke English, we managed to order some delicious local dishes, thanks to the English menu provided for tourists.

The weather that day was simply perfect – a mix of sunshine and clouds. It gave me the perfect opportunity to snap a few photos in varying light conditions, capturing the beauty of the landscape from different angles.

Czarny Staw (Black Pond in English)
Lakeside Restaurant

Travel tips for Morskie Oko

How to get there

Zakopane is about 23 km from the parking area at the Morskie Oko trailhead by car.

Alternatively, you can catch a local bus from Zakopane, which also stops at Palenica Białczańska, the trailhead for Morskie Oko.

From there, you can either walk or take a horse-drawn carriage to the lake. The walk to the lake takes around two hours, while the horse-drawn carriage ride takes about an hour. However, it doesn’t take you directly to the lakeside, so you’ll still need to walk for an additional 20 minutes to reach the shore.

If you’re looking for the easiest option, you can join a tour from either Krakow or Zakopane.

Hiking tips for Morskie Oko

Make sure to carry some cash and coins. You’ll need coins for the toilets at the rest area. Then, you’ll pay in cash for the national park entrance fee. If you decide to take a horse-drawn carriage, the owners only accept cash. The same goes for the restaurant.

It’s important to wear proper hiking shoes, particularly if you’re planning to hike up to the upper lake.

If you’re aiming for Czarny Staw (Black Pond), I recommend taking the horse-drawn carriage to save yourself the two-hour walk.


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