Zakopane Winter Hiking Guide: Best Trails & Activities

Typically regarded as a ski resort, Zakopane is actually a paradise for winter hiking enthusiasts. The winter capital of Poland is situated in a perfect location – with access to some of the best hikes in the Polish (and Slovakian) Tatras.

In this Zakopane winter hiking guide, you’ll find the absolute best trails to hike on, as well as other winter activities to enjoy on your rest days. All curated by experienced locals.

Is Zakopane good for winter hiking?

Yes, it’s incredible. But here’s what you should know.

The Tatra Mountains in winter are absolutely mesmerizing – beautiful mountain ranges arch over snow-covered valleys and forests. Without the usual summer crowds, as everyone is at the ski slopes. The heart-warming Highlander culture and food makes finishing a difficult hike gloriously satisfying.

However, many of the available hiking trails (and especially the unmarked ones) can be quite dangerous. I strongly recommend traversing the Tatra Mountains in winter with professional guidance. Guides make these hikes a lot more wholesome, rich and enjoyable. Each hike listed here can be done solo or with a group, but we’ll attach a number for a certified guide under every trail.

Browse accommodation popular with hikers

Best Hiking Trails in Zakopane (Winter)

These trails give you an incredible taste of the Tatra Mountains in winter – easy to challenging hikes, with beautiful views of glacier lakes, gorges, valleys and peaks.

#1 Strążyska Valley & Siklawica Waterfall

An easy winter walk to the foot of Zakopane’s most legendary peak, with a frozen waterfall and a cosy tea house along the way.

Zakopane → Strążyska Valley → Tea House → Siklawica Waterfall → Droga pod Reglami → Ski Jumping Area → Zakopane

Основные моменты
✔ panoramic view of the north face of Giewont 

✔ visit to the frozen Siklawica waterfall 

✔ cosy stop at a mountain tea house 

✔ easy, enjoyable terrain 

✔ guided by a licensed local expert

Duration: ~ 3 hours
Elevation gain: ↑ 150 m / ↓ 150 m
Difficulty: 🟢 Easy – suitable for beginners, families, and relaxed walkers.
Price: From 300 EUR
Optional extension: Sarnia Skała (+40 EUR)

#2 Wielki Kopieniec Summit & Olczyska Valley

Forest trails, panoramic Tatras views and the largest spring in the Polish mountains.

Zakopane → Toporowa Cyrhla → Polana Kopieniec → Wielki Kopieniec → Wywierzysko Olczyskie → Dolina Olczyska → Jaszczurówka → Zakopane

Основные моменты
✔ sweeping summit views of the High Tatras 

✔ visit to Wywierzysko Olczyskie, the largest spring in the Polish Tatras 

✔ Polana Kopieniec with remnants of historic shepherd huts 

✔ diverse landscapes: forest, ridge and valley 

✔ led by a licensed local mountain guide

Duration: Approx. 4–5 hours
Elevation gain: ↑️350 m / ↓ 450 m
Difficulty: 🟢 Easy – good for beginners and anyone looking for a longer scenic hike.
Price: From 300 EUR
Optional extension: Climb to Nosal peak (+40 EUR)

#3 Kościeliska Valley, Caves & Kraków Gorge

Towering limestone formations, mountain meadows and hidden passages through Kościeliska Valley. Abundant in iconic springs, traditional highlander food and some of the most picture-worthy views of the Tatras.

Zakopane → Kiry (transfer) → Lodowe Źródło → Hala Pisana → Hala Ornak Refuge → Mylna Cave → Kraków Gorge → Smocza Jama Cave → Kiry → Zakopane (transfer)

Основные моменты
✔ walk through Kościeliska Valley 

✔ visit Lodowe Źródło, the most famous spring in the Tatras 

✔ stop at a traditional bacówka to taste local mountain cheese 

✔ explore the beautiful Kraków Gorge 

✔ optional caves 

✔ full-day adventure w/ guide

Duration: Approx. 6–8 hours
Elevation gain: ↑ 350 m / ↓ 350 m
Difficulty: 🔵 Moderate
Price: From 315 EUR
Optional extensions:
• Kraków Gorge (+25 EUR)
• Mylna Cave (+25 EUR)
• Smreczyński Lake (+25 EUR)

#4 Rusinowa Polana & Wiktorówki

An easy panoramic walk to one of the most beautiful meadows in the Tatras, with a stop at a quaint wooden church and cheese house.

Zakopane → Wierch Poroniec (transfer) → Rusinowa Polana → Wiktorówki Church → Zazadnia → Zakopane (transfer)

Основные моменты
✔ stunning panorama of the High Tatras 

✔ visit to the historic Wiktorówki wooden church 

✔ traditional shepherding area with local cheese 

✔ wide, open meadow landscapes perfect for photos 

✔ guided by a licensed local mountain expert

Duration: Approx. 3–5 hours
Elevation gain: ↑ 100 m / ↓ 250 m
Difficulty: 🟢 Easy – perfect for beginners, families. Relaxed hiking day.
Price: From 300 EUR
Optional extension: Climb to Gęsia Szyja (+25 EUR)

#5 Chochołowska Valley & Mountain Refuge

A scenic walk through Chochołowska Valley, ending at the largest mountain refuge in the Polish Tatras, famous for its soul-warming meals and iconic apple pie.

Zakopane → Siwa Polana → Polana Huciska → Polana Chochołowska (refuge) → Polana Huciska → Siwa Polana → Zakopane

Основные моменты
✔ explore the westernmost valley of the Polish Tatras 

✔ visit the largest mountain refuge in Poland 

✔ wide, gentle terrain ideal for steady walking 

✔ fascinating stories from WWII and modern history 

✔ fields full of blooming crocuses (in spring) 

✔ guided by a licensed local mountain expert

Duration: Approx. 5–6 hours
Elevation gain: ↑ 250 m / ↓ 250 m
Difficulty: 🔵 Moderate – technically easy, but longer in duration
Price: From 270 EUR (final price depends on date, group size, duration, weather conditions and language option)
Optional extension: Climb to Grześ (+45 EUR)

#6 Hala Gąsienicowa & Murowaniec Mountain Refuge

A scenic journey through one of the most beautiful valleys of the Polish Tatras, continuing up to a mountain refuge at 1500m above sea level.

Kuźnice → Dolina Jaworzynka → Przełęcz Między Kopami → Hala Gąsienicowa (Murowaniec refuge) → Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy → Hala Gąsienicowa → Przełęcz Między Kopami → Skupniów Upłaz → Kuźnice

Основные моменты
✔ explore one of the most scenic valleys in the Polish Tatras 

✔ see the PTTK “Murowaniec” mountain refuge at 1500 m 

✔ optional visit to Czarny Staw (Black Pond) 

✔ views of the iconic rocky ridge and ski areas 

✔ learn the history of the Kuźnice district 

✔ guided by a licensed local mountain expert

Duration: Approx. 6–8 hours
Elevation gain: ↑650 m / ↓ 650 m
Difficulty: 🔵 Moderate – longer mountain hike with some elevation gain.
Price: From 270 EUR (final price depends on date, group size, duration, weather conditions, and language option)
Optional extension: Hike to Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy (+30 EUR)

#7 Hala Kondratowa & Mountain Huts

A scenic Tatra hike through historic Kuźnice, Hala Kalatówki, and Hala Kondratowa, with views of Kasprowy Wierch, Giewont ridge, and snowy landscapes. Two stops at mountain refuges for refreshments and local stories.

Zakopane → Kuźnice → Hala Kalatówki → Przełęcz Białego → Dolina Białego → Droga Pod Reglami → Ski Jump Complex → Zakopane

Основные моменты
✔ visit two classic Tatras mountain refuges 

✔ explore Hala Kalatówki and Hala Kondratowa 

✔ excellent views of Kasprowy Wierch and Giewont ridge 

✔ dream-like glacial landscapes 

✔ learn the history of the Kuźnice area 

✔ guided by a licensed local mountain expert

Duration: Approx. 4 hours
Elevation gain: ↑ 250 m / ↓ 250 m
Difficulty: 🔵 Moderate
Price: From 240 EUR (final price depends on date, group size, duration, weather conditions, and language option)

#8 Morskie Oko Lake Trekking

This trek takes you to the world-famous Morskie Oko Lake, with panoramic views of Mt Rysy, Poland’s highest peak, and the picturesque Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza waterfalls.

Zakopane → Palenica Białczańska (car/bus) → Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza Waterfalls → Włosienica → Morskie Oko → Włosienica → Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza → Palenica Białczańska → Zakopane (car/bus)

Основные моменты
✔ visit one of the most famous lakes in the Tatras 

✔ stunning views of Mt Rysy 

✔ see the picturesque Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza waterfalls 

✔ easy, scenic route ideal for beginners 

✔ guided by a licensed local mountain expert

Duration: Approx. 5–6 hours
Elevation gain: ↑ 400 m / ↓ 400 m
Difficulty: 🟢 Easy
Price: From 315 EUR

#9 Belianska Cave – Slovakia

Explore one of Slovakia’s most beautiful caves, followed by a funicular ride to Hrebienok, and a short walk to the picturesque Zimna Woda Waterfalls.

Zakopane → Łysa Polana → Tatrzańska Kotlina → Bielska Cave → Tatrzańska Łomnica → Stary Smokowiec → Hrebienok → Zimna Woda Waterfalls → Stary Smokowiec → Jurgów → Białka Tatrzańska → Zakopane

Основные моменты
✔ visit the notorious Belianska cave with its impressive stalactites and stalagmites

✔ funicular train ride with scenic views

✔ see the Zimna Woda Waterfalls

✔ easy, long hike – a lot of fun to be had

✔ led by a expert mountain guide

Duration: 7–9 hours
Elevation gain: ↑ 100 m / ↓ 100 m
Difficulty: 🟢 Easy
Price: From 270 EUR

#10 Spiš Castle – Slovakia

A winter hike through both Polish and Slovak Tatra foothills. Explore Spiš Castle, learn the rich history of the Spiš region, visit St. James Church in Levoča with its Gothic altar, and spend some free time around the historic Kežmarok Castle.

Zakopane → Łysa Polana → Tatrzańska Kotlina → Stary Smokowiec → Poprad → Spišský Štvrtok → Levoča → Spiš Castle → Kežmarok → Spiska Biała → Jurgów → Białka Tatrzańska → Poronin → Zakopane

Основные моменты
✔ visit the spectacular Spiš Castle – one of the largest castle complexes in Europe 

✔ panoramic views over the Spiš region 

✔ see St. James Church in Levoča with its famous Gothic altar 

✔ free time near the charming Kežmarok Castle 

✔ scenic drive through the Tatra foothills 

✔ guided by a licensed local expert

Duration: 7–9 hours
Elevation gain: ↑ 50 m / ↓ 50 m
Difficulty: 🟢 Easy
Price: From 285 EUR

How to Prepare for a Zakopane Winter Hiking Holiday

It’s crucial to come prepared for your winter hiking adventures in Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains – mountain weather can change very quickly, trails may be icy and daylight is shorter than in summer. Here are a few tips:

Proper clothing: Dress with multiple layers – gloves, a hat, and a neck gaiter are must-haves for any winter activity in Zakopane. If available, don some thermal underwear, an insulating mid-layer and a waterproof jacket. Waterproof hiking boots with a strong grip are recommended.
Weather conditions: Make sure you talk to your hiking/trekking guide or check the forecast to ensure that weather is predictable, and no avalanche warnings have been issued.
Equipment: Charged phone, power bank, offline map. Especially if you’re going without a hiking guide.
When it comes to Zakopane in winter, hikes and treks are must more demanding than in summer. Walking with a licensed hiking guide is highly recommended. Not only because you’ll be safer, but because they know Tatra National Park like the back of their hands, and can tell you much about local life, history and traditions.

Best Accommodation for Winter Hiking in Zakopane

Proper clothing: Dress with multiple layers – gloves, a hat, and a neck gaiter are must-haves for any winter activity in Zakopane. If available, don some thermal underwear, an insulating mid-layer and a waterproof jacket. Waterproof hiking boots with a strong grip are recommended.
Weather conditions: Make sure you talk to your hiking/trekking guide or check the forecast to ensure that weather is predictable, and no avalanche warnings have been issued.
Equipment: Charged phone, power bank, offline map. Especially if you’re going without a hiking guide.
When it comes to Zakopane in winter, hikes and treks are must more demanding than in summer. Walking with a licensed hiking guide is highly recommended. Not only because you’ll be safer, but because they know Tatra National Park like the back of their hands, and can tell you much about local life, history and traditions.

Let’s Plan Your Winter Hiking in Zakopane!

We work with the most experienced, knowledgeable and friendly certified guides in Zakopane, who will take you on unforgettable Zakopane winter hiking adventures during your stay in Zakopane. Tatra Mountains hiking unveils many secrets waiting to be explored, savoured and remembered.

Send us a message and we’ll organize a trip according to your group’s size, skill level, and preferences!