Rusinowa Polana

Rusinowa Polana is a large mountain glade in the Polish High Tatras, between Gęsia Szyja (1,489 m) and Goły Wierch (1,205 m), inside the Tatra National Park (TPN). It lies at roughly 1,180–1,300 m on the ridge that links the Tatras with the Bukowina Foothills and covers about 20 ha. Its slope offers one of the finest panoramas of the Tatras: the Belianske and High Tatras are visible from end to end, and as early as 1875 the traveller and painter Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski wrote that the view from here is "one of the most beautiful".

The glade also has older names — Rusinowa Jaworzyna, Rusinka, Rusinówka. They are linked to the surname Rusin, village heads from Groń, to whom King Sigismund III Vasa granted the land in 1628. During the penultimate glaciation a glacier from the Waksmundzka Valley spilled over the glade and left granite boulders that still lie in the grass; the undercut slope at the lower edge of the glade is also its work. Red deer, roe deer, foxes and ravens live around it, and bears come by too.

Sheep and cows have grazed here for centuries. In the mid-20th century the shepherds' settlement had 20 wooden huts and sheds. Part of the meadow was mown, but the hay was not carried down: sheep were fed with it here all winter, so Rusinowa was the longest-operating winter sheepfold in the Tatras — its last resident lived here until 1954. After the TPN was created grazing was gradually banned, and the huts, though listed as monuments, partly decayed or burned; today about six buildings survive in varying condition. In 1981 cultural grazing returned with up to 200 sheep, and in season sheep's cheese is sold in the hut (see Shepherd's Hut on Rusinowa Polana).

What to see and do

• The Tatra panorama — the Belianske and High Tatras from end to end; the best light is in the morning and on clear autumn days.
• Shepherds' huts — a group of listed buildings, some still used by shepherds.
• Granite boulders left by the glacier — natural benches with a mountain view.
• The Wiktorówki sanctuary — a mountain shrine of Our Lady right nearby on the blue trail from Zazadnia; Cardinal Karol Wojtyła used to come here.
• Gęsia Szyja — a green trail to the summit above the glade, with an even wider view.

How to get there

The most popular approach is the blue trail Zazadnia – Rusinowa Polana past the Wiktorówki sanctuary: from the car park and bus stop on the Oswald Balzer road (Zakopane — Morskie Oko) it takes about 1 h 15 min up, 1 h down. Another option is the green trail Wierch Poroniec – Rusinowa Polana from the paid car park at Wierchporoniec: 1 h up, 45 min down. From Palenica Białczańska, where the road to Morskie Oko begins, the trail Rusinowa Polana – Palenica Białczańska takes 50 min up (parking there only with a pre-bought e-ticket). All these approaches are moderate forest paths with 250–300 m of climbing, fine for families. Further on, the green trail over Gęsia Szyja leads to Rówień Waksmundzka (1 h) and to Hala Gąsienicowa.

Season and safety

The glade is in the TPN: as of October 2026 a ticket costs 11 zł, reduced 5.50 zł, and children under 7 enter free; tickets are sold at the trailhead booths, online and via QR code. From 1 March to 30 November walking the trails between dusk and dawn is forbidden, and dogs are not allowed in the park. Bears roam the surrounding forests — stay on marked paths. In winter the approaches are mostly through forest and relatively safe, but Gęsia Szyja and the trail beyond require winter gear. The TOPR rescue number is 601 100 300 or 985.

Nearby

Below, on the road to Morskie Oko, roar the Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza (Mickiewicz Waterfalls), and a few hours' walk away lies Morskie Oko itself; the green trail over Gęsia Szyja leads to Hala Gąsienicowa.

Official website: tpn.gov.pl

Photos: Aneta Pawska, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; CandidateKey, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Cybularny, CC0, Wikimedia Commons; Cybularny, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Opioła Jerzy, CC BY 2.5, Wikimedia Commons; Zakopane2017, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.