Just south of Zakopane is the small village of Kuznice. It’s the base for hikes and skiing in the Tatras and, we think, one of the must-visit spots in the Zakopane valley.
Kuznice is a small mountain hamlet located on the outskirts of Zakopane. It’s known as the base station of the iconic Kasprowy Cable Car and as a starting point for many of the best hikes in the Tatra National Park.
It’s always been a popular stop for travelers exploring Zakopane for the reasons above but we’ve watched it develop from little more than a few huts and a carpark into a fully-fledged village with its own great places to eat, cozy alpine hotels, and ski rentals in the last few years.
This guide will run through everything you need to know about Kuznice, from how to get there from downtown Zakopane (clue – it’s easy!) to what there is in Kuznice itself. We’ll also touch on some of the hotels that have opened up here recently, which – we have to say – are pretty darn spectarularum!
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This is just one part of our complete guide to Zakopane
What’s in this guide to Kuznice
Where is Kuznice?
Kuznice is located approximately 1.8 miles (3 kilometres) south of Zakopane’s town centre – if you take the main drag of shops and bars as the centre.
It sits right at the foot of the High Tatras and actually lies within the boundaries of the Tatra National Park, which is where all the amazing hiking trails await!
The village is surrounded by evergreen forests and is cut through by a gurgling river. It’s pretty charming.
Although officially a separate village in its own right we’d actually say that it feels as if Kuznice is a part of Zakopane itself. You can walk there (more on that below) from the middle of town in 30 minutes and a main road lined with souvenir shops and cafes goes the whole way.
How to get to Kuznice?
Because Kuznice is such a popular gateway town to the hiking and skiing of the Tatras, it’s very well connected to the middle of Zakopane.
We’ve been coming and going from Kuznice both summer and winter for like 10 years. There are now more regular buses than ever, even though there were always lots on offer. Plus, there’s more parking and better road access these days.
We also like the walking option if you’re up for it – it adds maybe 20-30 minutes to your hike each way but it means you can do proper door to door walks.
Here are your options.
- Bus/minibus – You can pick up a bus to Kuznice every 15 minutes from the main Zakopane bus station (which is beside the railway station). They also stop on the main road parallel to Krupowki but there’s no guarantee you’ll have a seat if you join the bus later. Minibuses are marked with a sign for “Kuźnice” and cost around 5 PLN per person for a one-way trip. The ride takes approximately 10 mins.
- Walk – We usually walk to Kuznice. It’s 20-30 minutes south of the centre. Follow vibrant Krupowki Street and then just keep going. You’ll come to a roundabout. Go over that and follow the sign up to Krupowki. It’s a nice walk as the mountains get ever closer. There are pavements the whole way.
- Drive – If you’re serious about hiking around here then a car hire is a great idea. You can get them at Krakow Airport and then be in Zakopane in two hours with the freedom to drive around the whole valley to different trailheads. You won’t need one to get to Kuznice because it’s the most accessible base station of the lot, but it can’t hurt as there’s dedicated parking in the village (costing around 4 PLN/hour).
The Kuznice Cable Car
One of the main attractions in Kuznice is the Kolej Linowa Kasprowy Wierch—the cable car that takes visitors to the summit of Kasprowy Wierch, one of the most iconic peaks in the Tatras.
It’s super, duper popular. And for good reason.
The ride offers stunning views as it ascends nearly 1,000 meters, taking passengers from Kuznice at 1,027 meters above sea level to Kasprowy Wierch at a whopping 1,987 meters above sea level, all in just over 10 minutes.
Tickets for the cable car can be purchased on-site, but it’s highly recommended to book in advance, particularly during peak seasons (summer and winter). They cost 99-139 PLN for a round-trip. The price depends on the season (winter is more and peak summer is more).
The most important thing is to ARRIVE EARLY. The first cars in the summer leave at 7.30am and at 8am in the autumn and winter. You’ll want to be on those or as close to getting on them as you can because queues always form and they move slower than a fricking slow thing.
At the top, you can enjoy spectacular views of both the Polish and Slovak sides of the Tatras. There are hiking trails for the more adventurous and even a ski area that operates during the winter months (it’s the highest ski area in Poland no less).
There’s also a restaurant up there: The Kasprowy Wierch mountain hut. It looks cool but boy is it pricy and usually busy.
Hikes from Kuznice
Kuźnice is the starting point for several of our favourite hiking trails in the Tatras. Whether you’re looking for a short valley walk or a challenging ascent, there’s a trail for you.
Just be warned if you come mid-winter – the valley that leads the way out of Kuznice into the Tatras is prone to avalanche risk so it’s not unusual for the whole thing to be closed to hikers after big dumps of snow.
Kasprowy Wierch
For those who prefer hiking over taking the cable car, you can trek to the summit of Kasprowy Wierch. The hike takes about 3-4 hours one way, depending on your pace, and offers stunning views along the way.
The trail is moderately difficult, with rocky terrain and some steep-ish zigzag ascents. You’ll follow the green trail from Kuźnice via the Myślenickie Turnie station. Or, you can extend the hike to make it a bit longer and go via the Czarny Staw Lake, returning via Myślenickie Turnie.
Giewont
Another iconic hike from Kuźnice is the trail to Mount Giewont, one of the most famous peaks in Poland, thanks to its distinctive shape and the legends that surround it.
This one’s moderately strenuouis, but mainly because there’s a final section that requires a bit of scrambling and chain use.
Start on the blue trail from Kuznice and head through Kalatówki and Kondratowa Valley. Both are beautiful, and there’s a gorgeous mountain hut at Kalatówki where you can stop for a tea and treats.
Hala Gąsienicowa and Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy
For a less demanding but equally scenic option, head to Hala Gąsienicowa, a stunning alpine meadow with a traditional shepherd’s hut. From there, you can continue to Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy (Black Lake), which sits at the base of towering peaks.
This trail is relatively easy because it only takes you about half the way up to Kasprowy. It’s about 2-3 hours one way. You can also just do the Hala Gąsienicowa if you want something very easy, and a walk that’s doable in winter so long as the avalanche risk isn’t high.
Eating and drinking in Kuznice
Though Kuznice itself doesn’t have a large number of restaurants, it’s now a bit of a chic clique of an area that takes after the alpine resorts of Austria and Switzerland. At least that’s what it reminds us of.
In the last five years, there’s been a big redevelopment of the whole village base station. There are now some pretty nice cafes and restaurants, serving everything from casual Polish street food like zapiekanki to full meals of pork knuckle and pierogi.
The best are…
- YurtaBar – A casual skier’s and hiker’s hangout that’s based in a – as the name suggests – yurt at the bottom of the main trails and slopes. They do sandwiches, pierogi and pastas, along with nice soups. Cool hangout space with some deckchairs too.
- Stara Kuzina Café – We kinda’ like the curt service and chilled atmos at this café bar. It’s been here since the old days. Menu of no-nonsense coffees and zapikanka. Nice outside space.
- Gościniec Kuźnice – The more formal of the restaurants down here, Gościniec Kuźnice does more complete meals of steak and chips, goulash, and pierogi. There’s a good hotel option above too.
- Mountain huts – Along the hiking trails, particularly on the way to Kasprowy Wierch and Giewont, you’ll find several mountain huts (known as schroniska in Polish) where you can stop for a snack or meal. Hala Gąsienicowa’s hut offers hot soups, tea, and hearty Polish fare to keep you going. It’s probably our fav around here. Bring cash.
Where to stay in Kuznice
There was a time when we would have scoffed at you for choosing to stay in Kuznice.
“Why?” we might have said. “There’s nothing there!”
We still think that stating in Zakopane is the way to go. That gives you the selection of the very best spa hotels and walking access to Krupowki Street for bars and taverns.
However, we now see why Kuznice could be a good option: It’s cozy and romantic and remote.
Yep, even though you can still access Zakopane town in a short taxi/bus ride, Kuznice offers the feel of a more authentic mountain village and it’s right there on the doorstep of the hiking and skiing routes, which means it’s a great option if you’re coming here with adventure at the forefront of your mind.
Oh yea, and then there’s the fact that there are now some SERIOUSLY lovely hotels in Kuznice. It’s become a bit of a hub for Scandi-cool, boutique hotels that offer pure luxury. It’s a great option for couples, honeymooners, people who like to be alone in the mountains – that sort of thing.
Here are the top choices…
- EnHotel – We haven’t seen anything quite so lux as EnHotel since the first proper spa hotels opened their doors in Zako about 10 years back. They’ve come with this small-scale boutique hotel that has very cool rooms done out in a Japan-come-Scandi-come-Polish highlands character, offer a fantastic breakfast, and views of the Kasprowy cable car. It’s wonderful for couples and romtantic weekends away in the mountains.
- Gościniec Kuźnice – Gościniec Kuźnice has the feel of a real ski lodge. Timbered walls and roaring fires greet you. The suites are loaded with plush beds and wood-paneled walls. It’s very cozy and the breakfast is just what’s needed for a day of skiing/hiking in the national park.
- Apartamenty Kuźnice 13 – More simple and affordable self-catering apartments right in the middle of Kuznice. These are good for families and couples who prefer the chalet style vibe over a hotel.
