Wielka Siklawa Waterfall

A silver ribbon below the Valley of Five Lakes

Wielka Siklawa (also simply Siklawa) is Poland's highest waterfall. The Roztoka stream, flowing out of Wielki Staw Polski, drops here over the rock step between the Valley of the Five Polish Lakes and the Roztoka Valley. According to TPN the fall is more than 70 m high; Wikipedia gives 65–70 m with a wall angle of about 35°. The water comes down in two or three strands, depending on the level of Wielki Staw. It is the largest waterfall in the Tatras, though not the tallest: that record belongs to Ťažká Siklava in Slovakia's Biela voda valley.

The waterfall drew travellers as early as the beginning of the 19th century and was described by poets and painted by artists. In 1832 Seweryn Goszczyński wrote about its roar and the spray in which the sun paints rainbows, and Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski called Siklawa the most distinguished waterfall in all the Tatras. It looks its best on a sunny day after heavy rain.

What to see

• The waterfall itself — the trail passes right beside it, and in sunshine rainbows appear in the spray.
• Glacier-polished slabs above the fall — smooth rock scoured by stones dragged by the glacier. The section is called Danielki after the guide Jan Gąsienica Daniel, who died here in 1924.
• The Valley of the Five Polish Lakes just above the step: Wielki Staw, and further on the PTTK hut on the shore of Przedni Staw (1,671 m), the highest-situated hut in Poland and the only one not reachable by car.
• The Roztoka Valley on the approach — one of the most natural forests in the Polish Tatras, and the Nowa Roztoka clearing with an old shepherd's hut.

Practical information

The route. The hike starts at Palenica Białczańska (990 m). First follow the road to Morskie Oko as far as Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza (about 50 minutes), then turn right onto the green trail up the Roztoka Valley. From Wodogrzmoty to Wielki Staw it is about 2 hours up and 1.5–1.7 hours down; Siklawa is at the end of the climb, just before the lakes. The height gain from Palenica is roughly 700 m. The trail passes the waterfall on the left (going up) over wet rock, so wear shoes with a good grip. The route is not suitable for pushchairs; it is manageable for school-age children with hiking experience. Allow at least 6 hours for the round trip.

Transport and parking. The TPN car parks at Palenica Białczańska and Łysa Polana require an e-ticket bought in advance on the TPN website (36–75 zł online). Since 1 September 2026 horse carts run from Palenica exactly to Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza, which shortens the approach. The TPN ticket costs 11 zł.

Safety. The slabs above the waterfall are dangerous when icy. As of 23 October 2026 TPN reports fresh snow and ice above the tree line — do not go there without experience and winter equipment (crampons, ice axe, helmet). In winter the area is prone to avalanches; check the avalanche bulletin. From 1 March to 30 November trails may not be used between dusk and dawn; dogs and drones are banned in TPN.

Nearby

• Wielki Staw Polski — the deepest lake in the Tatras, a few minutes above.
• Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza — the cascades at the start of the green trail.
• Morskie Oko — via the Świstówka pass you can make a loop (about 20 km).

Official website: tpn.gov.pl

Photos: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Aneta Pawska, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; Cybularny, CC0, Wikimedia Commons; Ciacho5, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; Sammler, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; Opioła Jerzy, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.