Crazy Hike in Tatra Mountains: Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich from Małe Ciche
By Roberto (Updated Feb 2026)
⏱ 8 minutes
This post is more for fun than it is informative, since we don’t recommend doing what we did here! or better said, the time of year that we did it, but we definitely recommend doing this hike in summer. We want to talk about the hike Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich from Małe Ciche, a famous and wonderful hike in Tatra Mountains, southern Poland.
We can understand why so many travellers fall in love with this region of Europe, because the mountains and views are exceptional. This hike starts in the quiet village of Małe Ciche and leads to Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza and Schronisko w Dolinie Pięciu Stawów Polskich. It’s one of those routes that feels like a journey rather than just a walk, and for us, and it was an incredible memory.
Table of Contents
Basic Info about the Hike
Key Highlights about this Hike in Tatra Mountains
- Distance: It’s a in-and-out hike with 18 km from the start to Schronisko w Dolinie Pięciu Stawów Polskich, plus whatever you want to explore.
- Difficulty: Medium in spring-summer, due to the distance. Very hard at night in winter with snow and ice… as we did.
- Duration: Expect a total of 6-8 hours hiking.
- Accessibility: Can’t be done with stroller or wheelchair.
- What to bring: hiking or good trail running shoes. A few layers of clothes. If it’s winter, bring all the snow equipment. For the shelter, check the options for lunch and sleep before you go, and bring your equipment or food accordingly.
- Best time to go: June 15th (when the high hikes of the Tatras open, til beginning of October.
This is the hike we did in winter conditions:
Why This Hike in the Tatra Mountains Is Worth It
What makes this hike in Tatra Mountains so special is the variety packed into a single day. Since we did it in the winter, we could get only a grasp of this fact, but you start in gentle countryside, move into dense forest, cross powerful waterfalls, and eventually reach an alpine valley filled with lakes and surrounded by jagged peaks.
Compared to more famous and crowded routes like Morskie Oko, this trail feels wilder and more immersive. It asks more from you physically, but it gives back far more in atmosphere and views.
Why we did this hike and how difficult was it
Our friend Mat wanted to show us Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains, but we had time constraints. The only option for us, coming and driving from Krakow, was to do this hike in the afternoon, sleep at the Schronisko w Dolinie Pięciu Stawów Polskich and go down the next day to Zakopane, and spend another day there.
Mat told us the hike was “easy for us” since we are regular hikers, and that it was only two hours going up. Liar… hahah. After more than one hour going up in the dark and crampons, cold AF, he told us we had done half the way and the more difficult part was coming. We wanted to kill him.
Add that Ellen was pregnant, without knowing 😂. When we were close to the shelter, Mat told us we had no reservation for the beds, and we had to sleep on the floor. I slept next to the WC on the floor, because in other parts of the shelter people were snoring a lot. I will always remember that night as one of my worst sleep nights ever, only another insane night sleeping with cockroaches in the Philippines is at the same level.
Starting the Hike: Małe Ciche
We started this hike still with some light from Małe Ciche, a small mountain village just outside Zakopane, best known in winter for skiing. In summer, it’s peaceful and makes a perfect starting point if you want to avoid the busiest trailheads.
From here, we took a trail that leads into Tatra National Park, where an entrance ticket is required. Since it was low season, we didn’t need the ticket.
Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza: Thunder in the Mountains
One of the first major highlights of this Hike in Tatra Mountains is Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza, a dramatic series of waterfalls on the Roztoka Stream. The name roughly translates to “Mickiewicz’s Thunder,” and once you hear the roar of the water, it makes perfect sense. We couldn’t see anything on the way going up, to be honest. But Mat told us about them on the way down.
Wooden bridges cross the stream, creating easy access to viewpoints and photo spots. This area attracts day visitors, so it’s usually the busiest part of the hike, but it’s so nice to walk in there. This is the perfect setting for photos.
The Ascent to Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich
After leaving Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza behind, the trail becomes steeper and more demanding. This is where the hike starts to feel properly alpine. Rocky sections, exposed slopes, and steady elevation gain define this part of the route. When we went at night, we could only see snow, and cliffs. We didn’t know what to expect if we fell down. Luckily Mat showed us how to stop the fall with the ice axe, so we could die with style 🤙🏽.
As you climb higher, the forest thins and wide mountain views open up. On clear days, the scale of the Tatra Mountains becomes truly apparent sharp ridgelines, deep valleys, and a sense of raw wilderness. At night, snowing, it felt really cold and the wind can blow hard on your face. Be protected and well equipped. Good hiking boots are essential here, especially after rain, when stones can become slippery.
Schronisko w Dolinie Pięciu Stawów Polskich
Reaching Schronisko w Dolinie Pięciu Stawów Polskich feels like arriving at your safe home. For us, it meant warm dinner, no cold wind, Soplica, and… sleeping on the floor😂. Located at around 1,670 metres above sea level, it’s one of the highest mountain huts in Poland and probably the most beautifully situated.
The hut sits among five stunning alpine lakes, their colours shifting from deep blue to emerald depending on the light. Whether you stop for a warm meal, a hot tea, or decide to stay overnight, this place invites you to slow down and soak it all in. Even though we went in winter, the landscape was wonderful. We got an idea about why our friend loves it that much.
For us, this was the emotional highlight of the entire Hike in Tatra Mountains, a moment where effort, laughter, and scenery all come together.
The way back to Małe Ciche
It wasn’t until the morning when, after visiting one of the lakes around the huts, when we were really able to see the landscape with sunlight. We really enjoyed the vibe of the area and the way down felt like a nice winter adventure. The rugged peaks in the background set a perfect landscape, while the snow was everywhere.
On the way, we slid down, we fell playing and we enjoyed the snow like kids. We have a great memory of this couple of hours going back to the parking, and again, we can understand why many people like this hike in summer season. There are parts with water, bridges, tons of trees, scenic views… Undoubtedly, Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich from Małe Ciche is a hike in the Tatra Mountains that has it all.
Hikes to do from Schronisko w Dolinie Pięciu Stawów Polskich
This hut is one of the most known in the Tatra Mountains, and it’s a perfect starting point for other hikes.
Short and Classic Routes
1. Around the Valley of Five Lakes
- Loop trail through the Pięć Stawów area. Easy to moderate hike touring around the lakes and scenic points like Wielki Staw Polski and Mały Staw.
- It’s a great option if you want a relaxing walk with spectacular views of the tarns (lakes) nearby the hut.
2. To Wielki Staw Polski. The one we did the next day in the morning.
- Very short route from the hut (~10 min) to the shore of the largest lake in the valley.
- Perfect if you want views and photos without a full-day commitment.
Intermediate to Challenging Day Hikes
4. Kozi Wierch (via Zawrat)
- This is a challenging day hike: Schronisko → Zawrat → Kozi Wierch (one of the highest peaks in Poland) and back. Probably the one Mat wanted us to do… Luckily for us, the day started foggy and windy and he said the views weren’t going to worth the effort.
- Full day (approx. 12.7 km, ~5–6 h) with steep sections and some scrambling.
5. Zawrat Pass Loop
- Hike up to Zawrat, a famous mountain pass with dramatic views, and return the same way or loop back down into the valley.
- Great for strong hikers comfortable with exposure.
6. Kozie Czuby / Krzyżne / Murowaniec
- Ambitious trek crossing several passes and reaching other valleys (e.g., Kozia Przełęcz, Kozie Czuby, Dolina Kieżmarska) ending near Murowaniec.
- Long day (approx. 16 km, ~6–7 h) with significant climbs/descents.
Best Time to Do This Hike
The ideal period for this Hike in Tatra Mountains is from late June to early October. July and August offer the warmest conditions but also the highest number of hikers.
September is often the sweet spot: fewer crowds, crisp air, and beautiful autumn colours. Outside the main season, like the one we did in December, snow and ice can make the route dangerous without winter equipment and experience.
Why You Should Add This Hike to Your Poland Itinerary
If you’re searching for an unforgettable mountain experience, this Hike in Tatra Mountains delivers everything: waterfalls, alpine scenery, physical challenge, and moments of real calm.
It’s a route that captures the essence of the Tatras and leaves you with that quiet satisfaction only a great hike can give. For us, it was the only (but rewarding) trail we did in Poland and one we’d happily walk again, in “Summer edition”.
Check our other posts about Poland
If you’re planning a trip to Poland, it’s a destination that offers more than you might expect. Check out our other posts:
