Complete Guide to Hiking Morskie Oko in Zakopane Poland

What was once a tiny mountain village in Poland has since become a famous ski resort and hiking paradise! The week we spent this summer exploring Zakopane Poland was absolutely incredible, and far exceeded our expectations for the Polish Tatra Mountains. The most popular way to enjoy this area is by doing the Morskie Oko hike. Once you’ve walked the two hours and made it to the amazing lake, you’ll see why it’s one of the best hikes from Zakopane! If you’re looking for even better views continue on with us as we hike around Morskie Oko and up to Czarny Staw pod Rysami.

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Getting to the Morskie Oko Hike from Zakopane

The start can be a little confusing especially if it’s your first time hiking in Zakopane. If you’re not going to drive yourself then there are public shuttle buses thats only job is to take hikers back and forth all day. There are several bus stops that pick up on the way to the Morskie Oko hike, but the main bus terminal of Zakopane Poland is the best place to go.

From 7am and on you’ll find dozens of buses lined up here ready to leave as soon as they’re full. Simply look for the Morskie Oko name on the sign in the front windshield and hop on! The cost is just 15 Zolty ($3.30 USD) each for the 30 minute ride, and you’ll pay the driver as you exit the bus.

Zakopane Travel Tip: Since this is considered one of the best hikes in Zakopane and is extremely popular you should try and go early. We got on the very first bus to the Morskie Oko hike and the path was already full with people. Still, this is nothing compared to the crowds that come later in the day!

Round Trip Morskie Oko Hike Distances

• Main Entrance to Morskie Oko: 16.2 km /10 miles
• Walk to Morskie Oko + Circling the Lake: 18.7 km /11.6 miles
• Walk to Morskie Oko + Circling the Lake + Czarny Staw pod Rysami: 19.7 km /12.2 miles

Morskie Oko Hike Packing List

Water: There will be water for sale once you reach Morskie Oko (2 hours of walking), so pack at least enough to get you there.

Lunch or Snacks: There is food for sale, however, we recommend packing your own lunch and having it by the water. Just remember to only take what you can carry in and carry out! There are next to no trash cans within the park.

Hand Sanitizer & Tissue:  You can find several porta-potties along the Morskie Oko trail… Enough said!

Comfortable Shoes and Athletic clothing: This is a long walk (4+ hours round trip) that at times has a slight incline. You should definitely wear athletic shoes and proper attire.

Money: The price to get into the park is only 8 Zloty, but you may want to bring some extra for the restaurant and bar overlooking the lake.

Why is Morskie Oko the Best Hike from Zakopane for Families?

With so many amazing hikes in Zakopane, how could you possibly just pick one? Well, many call the Morskie Oko hike more of a walk which makes it one of the best for families in Zakopane Poland. Typically we wouldn’t be into a main paved trail that’s referred to as a hike, but it’s cool to see how many families were on it!

We saw countless strollers and parents with younger kids that pick this one because of its ease. Also, when you get to the famous “Eye of the Sea” you’ll see it’s one of the most beautiful places in all of Poland! If you’re looking for something more challenging this walk is definitely a good way to get warmed up for the longer and more difficult trails.

Once you reach Morskie Oko there are half a dozen trails that cut right up into the mountains and off the paved path. You can extend your hike by walking around the lake, climbing up to Czarny Staw pod Rysami, or simply grab a snack and enjoy the views.

Start of the Morskie Oko Hike

After you jump off the bus you’ll see a long paved pathway heading towards the Polish Tatra Mountains. It’s mostly flat and smooth with only a slight incline in the road as you get towards the end of the Morskie Oko hike. We loved the feeling of being surrounded by nature with the mountains directly ahead of us!

Don’t be afraid along the route to take the different cut ups marked for Morskie Oko into the forest. They’re not only shortcuts but beautiful pathways with multi-colored flowers. The walk there is 5 miles long and should take you a little over 2 hours.

Alternate Route: If you’re traveling with young kids or people unable to make the walk you do have the option to take a horse and carriage to Morskie Oko. We don’t recommend this form of transportation, but you should know it’s a popular way to get there.

Travel Tip: Planning your visit to Zakopane already? You can book a bed at the Morskie Oko Mountain Hut which allows you to really venture deep into the Polish Tatra Mountains on your day hikes. The only problem is that the beds often sell out a year in advance!

Hike Around Morskie Oko

Once you get your first look at the lake you’ll understand why so many people come to Zakopane Poland. We were absolutely blown away by the colors of the water underneath the massive mountains. It was at this moment that we knew we made the right choice to go hiking in Zakopane Poland!!

After a quick break and taking in the view, you should be ready to circle the lake. The path around Morskie Oko is made of rocks, but pretty flat for the most part. Weave your way through the trees and flowers as you take in the endless views of this beautiful place.

You may even make a few furry friends during your journey on one of the best hikes in Zakopane. On the day we went a huge deer literally walked right out into the path in front of us!

The Climb Up Czarny Staw pod Rysami

If you’re looking for more of a challenge then it’s time to take on Czarny Staw pod Rysami! About halfway around the lake, you’ll get to an uphill path. The Czarny Staw pod Rysami hike is very steep but absolutely worth it.

It’ll be impossible not to turn around on your climb and be in awe of the views of Morskie Oko below. Take your time and enjoy it! When you get to the top you’ll find another incredible body of water.

The ponds and lakes are protected here so you won’t see any swimming or boats. However, it’s obvious that’s what keeps them so clean and the ecosystem of the Polish Tatra Mountains intact. At the top, we recommend grabbing a seat someplace where you can see both Czarny Staw pod Rysami and Morskie Oko at the same time. You’ve earned it!

→ Looking for more hikes in Zakopane? Check out our guide to hiking Kasprowy Wierch.

Reward for the End of Morskie Oko

If you chose to hike up Czarny Staw pod Rysami like us you’ll probably be exhausted at this point. Yet you still have to walk back to the buses! Whether you consider it a boost or reward could be up for debate, but we think a refreshing drink may be just what you need.

Having a delicious beer is a perfect end to this part of hiking Zakopane. There’s a bar right at the Morskie Oko cabin where they sell drinks and food. We suggest grabbing a beer with berry fruit syrup before you start your long walk back to the bus.

Zakopane Travel Tip: If you didn’t pack food or still find yourself hungry, stop by the Pawilon Gastronomiczny on your way back. The restaurant has a massive grill with everything from pork chops to kielbasa!

Have you ever been hiking in Zakopane or the Polish Tatra Mountains? Let us know your favorite hike in the comments below!

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