Przełęcz między Kopami — Five Polish Ponds Valley Hut, via Zawrat
Trail map
Route, springs and shelters: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · elevation: Copernicus DEM © DLR e.V., © Airbus DS · Data & licences
About the trail
Route Przełęcz między Kopami – Zawrat – Five Polish Ponds Valley Hut. Has blue marking (regional route). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).
Officially marked regional tourist route. The marking is blue, the sign is a horizontal stripe on a white background. Length of the route is 9 km. Location: mountain range — Western Tatras, Poland. The route is in the Tatra National Park (TPN): entrance is paid (tickets online or at the ticket offices), from March 1 to November 30, trails can only be walked from dawn to dusk.
At a glance
A one-day route of 9 km with 709 m of ascent from Przełęcz między Kopami to Five Polish Ponds Valley Hut. Estimated walking time: about 3.5 h, not counting stops. Difficulty: hard. Waymarking: blue.
Route stages
- 0–2.5 kmAlong the ridge at 1,510–1,560 m
- 2.5–6 kmClimb of 600 m to Zawrat Pass
- 6–9 kmDescent of 450 m to Five Polish Ponds Valley Hut
Steepest kilometre: km 5–6, a climb of 370 m (≈38%), near Zmarzły Staw Gąsienicowy.
Water and overnight stays
A spring near the trail: at km 2.
Huts and shelters near the trail: Murowaniec Hut (km 2).
When to go
Best time: June to September. In winter only for experienced hikers with proper gear: avalanche danger is possible. About 9 km of the route runs above 1,500 m, where the weather changes quickly — check the forecast.
Getting there
Start: Przełęcz między Kopami. This is a one-way route: the finish is 6 km from the start in a straight line, so plan your way back in advance.
FAQ
- How long does the route take?
- Estimated walking time: about 3.5 h, not counting stops.
- Is there water on the route?
- A spring near the trail: at km 2.
- Where can I stay overnight?
- Huts and shelters near the trail: Murowaniec Hut (km 2).
Water and shelter on the route
- Murowaniec Hutkm 2.1 from the start · 100 m off the path · Standing · 1 500 m
- Drinking water below Małe Uhrocie Kasprowekm 2.1 from the start · 110 m off the path · Not verified · 1 499 m
Comments
Trails nearby
All trails
EasyOne-dayMarkedSchronisko PTTK Murowaniec Zadni UpłazElevation profile1 440–1 675 m2.5 kmascent 217 m≈ 1 h walking
HardOne-dayMarkedZmarzły Staw Pod Mnichemvia Kozia Przełęcz, Szpiglasowa PrzełęczElevation profile1 711–2 113 m6.5 kmascent 682 m≈ 3 h walking
EasyOne-dayMarkedTurn-off to Nosalowa Pass Przełęcz między KopamiElevation profile1 105–1 497 m2.7 kmascent 392 m≈ 1.5 h walkingCraft nearby
All craft places
Cheese dairies & pasturesFurtek's Shepherd's Huts, Kuźnice and KalatówkiZakopane2.7 km from the trailAbove Kuźnice — the southern edge of Zakopane where most hikes into the Western and High Tatras begin — the flocks are tended by baca Andrzej Staszel, nicknamed "Furtek".
Koliby & Hutsul cuisineBąkowo Zohylina Wyźnio Highland TavernZakopane4.4 km from the trailBąkowo Zohylina Wyźnio is a regional highland tavern in Zakopane housed in a wooden "szałas" (shepherd-hut-style building) with a view of the Tatras.
Water parks & thermal poolsTermy Zakopiańskie (Aqua Park Zakopane)Zakopane5.2 km from the trailTermy Zakopiańskie is a thermal water park right in Zakopane, on Jagiellońska Street, only a kilometre from Krupówki.
Crafts & workshopsSztukomania Studio, Zakopane: handmade ceramics and pottery workshopsZakopane5.4 km from the trailSztukomania is a small ceramics and woodwork studio on Staszica street in Zakopane, a few minutes' walk from Krupówki.
Markets & fairsEuropean Fair of Regional Products, Zakopane (every August)Zakopane5.5 km from the trailThe European Fair of Regional Products (Europejskie Targi Produktów Regionalnych) is a five-day festival of food, crafts and music held every August on Górna Równia...
Cheese dairies & pasturesDom Oscypka, Krupówki, Zakopane: cheese-making workshop with a bacaZakopane5.5 km from the trailDom Oscypka ("House of Oscypek") is a workshop studio on Krupówki in the very centre of Zakopane, where you can see how highland cheese is made from milk and make some...