Zmarzły Staw — Pod Mnichem, via Kozia Przełęcz, Szpiglasowa Przełęcz
Trail map
Route, springs and shelters: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · elevation: Copernicus DEM © DLR e.V., © Airbus DS · Data & licences
About the trail
Route Zmarzły Staw – Kozia Przełęcz – Szpiglasowa Przełęcz – Pod Mnichem. Has yellow marking (regional route). Waymarking data: OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL).
Officially marked regional tourist route. Marking is yellow, sign — horizontal stripe on a white background. Length of the route — 6.5 km. Location: mountain range — High 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 short route of 6.5 km with 682 m of ascent from Zmarzły Staw to Pod Mnichem. Estimated walking time: about 3 h, not counting stops. Difficulty: hard. Waymarking: yellow.
Route stages
- 0–3 kmAlong the ridge at 1,710–2,060 m, past Kozi Wierch
- 3–5 kmClimb of 350 m to Szpiglasowy Wierch (2,172 m)
- 5–6.5 kmDescent of 270 m to Pod Mnichem
Steepest kilometre: km 0–1, a climb of 340 m (≈34%), near Zmarzły Staw Gąsienicowy.
Water and overnight stays
Our map shows no springs near the trail — bring your own water (at least 1.5 l).
When to go
Best time: June to September. In winter only for experienced hikers with proper gear: avalanche danger is possible. About 7 km of the route runs above 1,500 m, where the weather changes quickly — check the forecast.
Getting there
Start: Zmarzły Staw. This is a one-way route: the finish is 4 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 h, not counting stops.
- Is there water on the route?
- Our map shows no springs near the trail — bring your own water (at least 1.5 l).
Comments
Trails nearby
All trails
HardOne-dayMarkedPrzełęcz między Kopami Five Polish Ponds Valley Hutvia ZawratElevation profile1 497–2 155 m9 kmascent 709 m≈ 3.5 h walking
ModerateOne-dayMarkedPod Mnichem Junction to Szpiglasowa PassElevation profile1 409–1 794 m2.3 kmascent 8 m≈ 30 min walking
HardOne-dayMarkedOrla Perć: Zawrat KrzyżneElevation profile2 037–2 291 m3.9 kmascent 346 m≈ 1.5 h walkingCraft nearby
All craft places
Cheese dairies & pasturesFurtek's Shepherd's Huts, Kuźnice and KalatówkiZakopane6.2 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".
Cheese dairies & pasturesShepherd's Hut on Rusinowa PolanaBrzegi6.5 km from the trailRusinowa Polana is one of the most beautiful mountain glades in the Polish Tatras, and from May to October it is home to the bacówka (shepherd's hut) of baca Stanisław...
Koliby & Hutsul cuisineBąkowo Zohylina Wyźnio Highland TavernZakopane7.9 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)Zakopane8.8 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 workshopsZakopane8.9 km from the trailSztukomania is a small ceramics and woodwork studio on Staszica street in Zakopane, a few minutes' walk from Krupówki.
Cheese dairies & pasturesDom Oscypka, Krupówki, Zakopane: cheese-making workshop with a bacaZakopane9 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...