Hiking in Poland offers a diverse array of trails winding through enchanting landscapes – from the majestic Tatra Mountains in the south to the serene Masurian Lake District in the north.
This post will guide you through the best day hiking trails in Poland, showcasing the country’s natural beauty and rich history. We’ll also provide valuable tips to ensure an enjoyable and safe hiking experience during your next outdoor adventure.
Interested? Let’s get started!
Want to hike longer? See our backpacking in Poland guide where we list the best multi-day trails.
Discover the most stunning day hikes in Poland for amazing adventures:
Length: 12.9 mi / 20.8 km
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Hard
Duration: 5-7 hours
Elevation Gain: 2,545 ft / 776 m
Location: Tatra National Park
Permissions and Fees: Small admission fee
Active Calorie Burn: 1700 calories
More Details: See on AllTrails
The Morskie Oko Trail is a challenging 12.9-mile out-and-back hike near Zakopane, Poland, leading to two beautiful alpine lakes in the Tatra Mountains. The relatively easy beginning follows a paved path for several miles to Morskie Oko lake, but the latter section climbing up to Czarny Staw is much steeper on rock slabs. Taking around 6.5 hours, this extremely popular trail in the summer requires an early start to avoid crowds, proper hiking gear, snacks, and water.
Length: 10.3 mi / 16.6 km
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Hard
Duration: 6-8 hours
Elevation Gain: 3,841 ft / 1171 m
Location: Tatra National Park
Permissions and Fees: Small admission fee
Active Calorie Burn: 2200 calories
More Details: See on AllTrails
The challenging 10.3-mile Koscielec loop trail in the Tatra Mountains near Zakopane offers breathtaking views but requires around 7 hours to complete. Beginning at the Tatra National Park ticket offices in Kuźnice, it first leads through forest before emerging onto Hala Gąsienicowa. The latter sections become extremely difficult, with steep slopes, rock steps, and bouldering to the summit of Koscielec. While the initial loop takes only 3-4 hours, attempting the full hike demands proper fitness levels to navigate the rugged terrain.
Length: 5 mi / 8 km
Type: Loop
Difficulty: Hard
Duration: 3 hours
Elevation Gain: 1,640 ft / 500 m
Location: Tatra National Park
Permissions and Fees: Small admission fee
Active Calorie Burn: 900 calories
More Details: See on AllTrails
The 5.0-mile loop through the picturesque Strążyska Valley near Zakopane is considered a challenging hike taking around 3 hours. It starts at the Tatra National Park entrance, passes through the beautiful Dolina Białego, then climbs a rocky yellow trail to the 1376m summit of Sarnia Skała with incredible valley views. While not extremely difficult overall, some rocky sections can be slippery, so proper footwear is essential.
Length: 8.9 mi / 14.3 km
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Hard
Duration: 5-7 hours
Elevation Gain: 3,540 ft / 1079 m
Location: Tatra National Park
Permissions and Fees: None
Active Calorie Burn: 1900 calories
More Details: See on AllTrails
The challenging 8.9-mile out-and-back hike to the 1,987m summit of Kasprowy Wierch in the Tatra Mountains near Zakopane is one of the most popular trails, taking around 6 hours with significant elevation gain through forest, along ridges with stunning views, and a rocky final push to the cable car station at the top, where descending by cable car provides an alternative to hiking back down.
Length: 8.2 mi / 13.2 km
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Hard
Duration: 5-6 hours
Elevation Gain: 3,536 ft / 1078 m
Location: Tatra National Park
Permissions and Fees: Small admission fee
Active Calorie Burn: 1800 calories
More Details: See on AllTrails
The strenuous 8.2-mile out-and-back trail to the 2,005m Kopa Kondracka summit in the Tatra Mountains near Zakopane demands around 6 hours, following a yellow trail with steep, muddy and rocky sections through Dolina Małej Łąki before the final ascent to Kondracka Przełęcz, offering spectacular views in clear weather but requiring good shoes and experience, especially in rain or snow.
Poland is home to several stunning national parks that attract visitors from around the world. Some of the most popular ones are the Tatra National Park, famous for its rugged mountain landscapes and hiking trails; the Biebrza National Park, a vast wetland area teeming with diverse flora and fauna; the Białowieża National Park, which boasts ancient woodlands and is home to the European bison; the Słowiński National Park, known for its picturesque moving sand dunes and coastal scenery; and the Kampinos National Park, a vast forest area near Warsaw with numerous hiking and biking trails.
Pack your own food and snacks to avoid pricey mountain hut meals. Consider camping or staying in hostels rather than hotels near the trails. Research entry fees for national parks and look for annual passes if you’ll be hiking frequently. Utilize free parking areas instead of paid lots. Travel by public transportation like buses or trains to trailheads instead of renting a car.
U.S. citizens do not need a visa to go hiking in Poland for stays of up to 90 days. As part of the Visa Waiver Program, U.S. passport holders can travel to Poland for tourism purposes, including hiking, for up to 3 months without obtaining a visa in advance.
