If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a real-life fairytale, then hiking to Morskie Oko in southern Poland is your perfect chance. Picture this: a glacial lake cradled by the majestic snow-capped Tatra Mountains, with waters so clear they mirror the sky and peaks above.
Morskie Oko, or Eye of the Sea, is the largest and fourth-deepest lake in the Tatra Mountains, so it comes as no surprise that it is busy. But it is still so worth it. I first hiked to Morskie Oko Lake while living in Krakow and I really enjoyed it. Even as someone who usually doesn’t love hiking.
Armed with a backpack and a camera, I set off on this “easy” hike, which turned out to be a little more strenuous than I had anticipated. But more on that later.
Let’s take a closer look at my experience hiking to one of Poland’s most beloved natural wonders — Morskie Oko!
Article overview
How to get to Morksie Oko
The first time I visited Morskie Oko from Krakow, we rented a car which I highly recommend because the nature along the way is absolutely stunning. You’ll probably want to stop every 10 minutes once you get out of the city.
If you have the time, spend the night before in Zakopane or the surrounding area as we did. Because if you don’t want to walk in line to the top, you have to get to the trailhead before 8:00 am.
On my second visit, we didn’t have time to stay the night, so I joined a guided tour from Krakow.
Krakow to Morkie Oko
If you’re traveling from Krakow, the most efficient way to get to Morskie Oko is by car. Just search for Palenica Białczańska on Google Maps. Driving is super easy as soon as you leave the city center. I always rent through DiscoverCars, click here to check the current price and availability.
If you don’t want to rent a car, you have to first make your way to Zakopane via a direct bus or train (about 2 hours). FlixBus provides frequent services from Krakow to Zakopane, with buses running every 45 minutes or so. You can check the train service online through the website PolishTrains.
🎫 After doing a lot of research on the best guided tours to Morskie Oko from Krakow I’m so happy I landed on this 14-hour group tour. Arriving around noon was definitely a different experience with more crowds, but it was also so niche not having to do any planning. Janek, our guide, was awesome and very knowledgeable.
Bus from Zakopane to Morskie Oko
Don’t try to walk from Zakopane bus station, the road is without sidewalks and quickly gains elevation. Instead, catch a minibus for the 30-minute ride for 15 zloty (cash) each way. You pay on exiting the bus or online here where you can also get an entrance ticket.
On platform 1 you will see several minibuses lined up. Look for the ones with signs on the front saying “Morksie Oko”. Before departure, the drivers will also announce their destination.
It says online that the first bus leaves at 7:40 am and from there it runs every 20 minutes (at least during the high season from 1. March to 30. November).
Morskie Oko parking
The nearest parking lot to the start of the hike is Palenica Białczańska, which gets very crowded during the high season, so you should reserve a space at least 3 days in advance.
When we got to the parking around 7:00 am, there were quite a few cars already there. But if you have booked, your spot will be waiting for you even if you arrive later in the day. As far as I could tell the Morkie Oko parking is open from early morning until late, even before the ticket stall opens.
MORKIE OKO ENTRANCE FEE >> It’s then 10 zloty ($2.5) to enter Tatra National Park. Remember to buy skip-the-line tickets online in advance.
The hike to Morkie Oko
The hike from the park entrance to Morskie Oko Lake takes around two hours on a well-marked, paved road. While it is crowded regardless of the season, arriving early can help you avoid the largest groups.
After a while the trail starts to open up, revealing stunning vistas of the surrounding snow-capped peaks as you can see above. About halfway up, you’ll reach the Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza waterfalls, a beautiful spot for rest and to get some photos.
There are toilets in several places on the way up, as well as shops for snacks and drinks at the bottom, halfway, and again at the top. I recommend holding it if you can and using the nice clean toilets at the mountain hut.
PRO TIP >> About halfway, you’ll also see some people veer off into the trees and start climbing up rock steps. This alternative trail branches off from the main route and goes through denser sections of the forest, shaving about 30 minutes off the hike. I continued on the paved road because the steps looked so steep.
For those who prefer not to walk at all, horse-drawn carriages are available for 100 zloty (cash only, 60zl down) per person, though their use is controversial due to concerns about the treatment of the horses. I did notice that some of the horses looked very tired.
While the hike is referred to as easy and a great option for families with kids, it was harder than I thought. I’m not in the best shape, and I definitely felt it. But take your time and you’ll be fine.
Arriving at Morksie Oko Lake
As I arrived at Morskie Oko, about two and a half hours later, I was greeted by a breathtaking view of the crystal-clear, emerald-green lake set in a valley surrounded by the towering peaks of the Tatra Mountains.
The surrounding peaks, including Mount Rysy, the highest in Poland, add to the stunning landscape, making the hike well worth the effort. I was so lucky to have a sunny calm day at the beginning of November, creating a serene atmosphere, even with tons of people around.
Right next to the lake, you’ll see the historic Schronisko PTTK Morskie Oko mountain hut, along with the new one, where you can rest, enjoy a traditional Polish meal, or stay overnight, though rooms are quickly booked.
I even found a Penny Souvenir machine by the entrance. After collecting them for so long I still get super excited every time I get another one. There is also an ATM here.
The area closest to the hostel is often crowded with people sunbathing, taking photos and enjoying lunch with a view. For a more peaceful experience, I walked the path that loops around the lake. It takes about an hour and offers numerous spots to relax and soak up the natural beauty.
If you feel like a two-hour hike isn’t enough, the trail continues beyond Morskie Oko to the even more remote Czarny Staw pod Rysami, a smaller, higher-altitude lake.
Best time to hike Morskie Oko
The best time to hike to Morskie Oko is in late September to early October when the fall foliage creates a stunning tapestry of colors. The weather is generally stable and cool and the summer crowds have thinned out a bit.
I did the hike in November last, and it was a thin layer of snow which made the stones around the lake quite slippery. We did have sunny weather though, so a sweater was warm enough, and the hike up to the lake was no problem in just normal winter boots.
Spring is also a good option, with blooming flowers and fewer tourists, though the weather can be unpredictable. I have also been there in June, and although everything was lushly green, the crowds were crazy. So I would avoid late June, July and August.
Where to stay
Camping is prohibited around Morskie Oko and in Tatra National Park. Luckily many tourist lodges are available, such as the Morskie Oko Moutain Hut. It has to be booked by phone, you can find all the information on their official site.
We stayed in an area called Czerwienne, just outside Zakopane. I’m telling you, it is one of the most charming places I have ever been. Yes, the cabin was definitely rustic, but the surrounding nature was incredible. Just take a look above.
If you prefer to stay in the center of Zakopane, I can highly recommend the beautiful Villa T Apartments & SPA.
Quick tips for first-timers
So let’s sum everything up and talk about a few more things you should know before visiting Morskie Oko.
- You can purchase snacks, drinks and delicious Polish food, but bring a bottle of water to limit plastic waste.
- Dogs are not allowed on the trails as they can disturb wildlife, even if the dog is obedient.
- You can easily hike in sandals or just sneakers in the summer, and regular boots in the winter. No need for fancy hiking boots if you don’t have them.
- Yes, you can definitely do the hike solo. There are so many other people around that you will not feel alone or unsafe.
- Make sure to bring cash (zloty coins and smaller bills), they don’t accept cards for food, washrooms or transport.
- Can I swim in Morksie oko? No, swimming or wading in the Park’s lakes, streams and rivers are not allowed as they are sources of drinking water for people and wildlife.
- Can I fly my drone? No, drones can disturb and scare wild animals (including birds) and pose a serious threat to the Tatra Mountains Rescue Service helicopter in flight.
If you want to explore more nature there are many more trails in the Tatra National Park. I also recommend the treetop walk below over the border in Slovakia, so much fun!
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