Kościeliska Valley (Poland)

Kościeliska Valley is one of my favorite places in the Tatra Mountains, there I can relax and gain positive energy without getting tired of climbing to high peaks. I have about 100 kilometers to Zakopane, so I often go even only on Saturday, spontaneously, after checking the weather forecast on Friday. I love to wake up at 4am in order to go to the mountains!

This time it was similar. I arrive in the village of Kiry around 6 am. It was cold but cloudless. Pleasantly, at a calm pace, I go through the valley. This place at such an early time is really an oasis of peace. I love it! This valley is full of all sorts of attractions. One of them is undoubtedly the numerous caves, among them the Mroźna Cave, which is lit inside and you need to buy a special ticket to see it.

This time I entered to the Mylna Cave. Here you need a flashlight to delve a little further into its narrow and winding corridors. Place even interesting, but you have to be careful because the stones are very slippery here. From the Kościeliska Valley to this cave a red trail leads, which you need to climb about 100 meters above the valley for 15 minutes. Only there is the entrance. You have to remember that when we decide to go deeper, you can't go back. This trail is one-way with an exit from another side.

Almost being always in the Kościeliska Valley, I visit Smreczyński Pond. This is a small glacial lake in the upper part of the valley. To get there, we must go almost to the very end of the valley, just before the hostel we have a signpost directing us to the black trail. This trail, quite uphill, we must march for about 30 - 40 minutes. After reaching the place, we get a great panorama of the surrounding peaks, among others the highest mountain in the photo above - Bystra (2248 m a.s.l.). It is the highest peak in the Western Tatras. The water in the pond is not very transparent, but very clean. This place is a habitat for many animals. It's easiest to find wild ducks here.

Finally, I will visit the PTTK Hostel at Hala Ornak. Object was built in 1948. You can relax here, have a warm meal or even take advantage of the bar offer. Prices, of course, are high as in mountain hostels. Such a place 7 kilometers from civilization is a nice thing. Lunch in the fresh mountain air, in the middle of the Tatra forest - it must have a price. Unfortunately, in the holiday season this place is not so great because of the huge crowds and giant queues. That's why I recommend you come here before holidays, and preferably in the middle of the week. Then you can really rest well in the mountains. See you on my next trip!