The Valley of the Five Lakes is one of the most breathtaking and popular hiking destinations in the Tatra Mountains.
Hidden up on the plateaux of the eastern Tatras about six miles from the heart of Zakopane, it’s hidden in a bowl of mighty mountains – rugged Swinica on one side and the soaring summit of Rysy (Poland’s highest) on the other.
As the name implies, the main attraction is not one, not two, not three, not even four, but a whole five alpine lakes. They range from the large Wielki Staw Polski (Great Polish Lake) to the harder-to-reach Zadni Staw Polski (Back Lake). They’re all knitted together by spectacular hiking paths, and there’s even an enchanting mountain hut to enjoy mid-walk.
This guide has all you need to know to plan a hike to the Valley of the Five Lakes…
This article may contain affiliate links to hotels, services, and other extras that will earn us something if you click through and book. It’s what helps us keep offering great info on Krakow, so thanks for that!
This is just one part of our complete guide to Zakopane
What’s in this guide to The Valley of the Five Lakes
What is the Valley of the Five Lakes?
The Valley of the Five Lakes, known as Dolina Pięciu Stawów in Polish, is a high-altitude glacial valley nestled in the Polish Tatras.
It gets its name from the five stunning alpine lakes that lie within its borders: Wielki Staw, Mały Staw, Przedni Staw, Czarny Staw, and Zadni Staw.
These glacial lakes are some of the highest in Poland, with Wielki Staw sitting at an elevation of 1,664 meters and holding the title of the largest and deepest of the group.
The valley is renowned for its dramatic scenery, with steep mountain walls surrounding the lakes, providing a breathtaking backdrop of rugged peaks, alpine meadows, and pristine waters, all of which comes topped by the outline of Rysy, the highest mountain in Poland.
Unlike other more commercialized spots in the Tatra Mountains, the Valley of the Five Lakes offers a more peaceful and raw natural experience. It’s nowhere near as busy as Morskie Oko – the more accessible lake that’s just one valley over – or Kasprowy – the mountain that’s accessible from the cable car station in Kuznice.
Where is the Valley of the Five Lakes?
The Valley of the Five Lakes is situated in the High Tatras on the Polish side of the Tatra National Park. It’s located about 6 miles from the center of Zakopane (as the crow flies), making it a popular day trip for visitors to the region.
The valley lies close to Poland’s border with Slovakia, and due to its high altitude and isolated location, it remains one of the more secluded and serene areas in the park.
Access to the valley is typically through the nearby town of Palenica Białczańska, which serves as the starting point for many of the trails that lead into the heart of the Tatras – including the popular one to Morskie Oko, which you follow initially before branching off towards the five lakes.
The good news is that there are regular buses that do the trip to the parking at Palenica Białczańska. Look for minibuses with “Morskie Oko” in the window. They cost 15 PLN (£3 ish) and the ride is just under 50 minutes in normal traffic.
You can also drive yourself – a car hire is always a good idea if you REALLY want to explore the Tatras. However, if you do that, do try to get there early as parking can fill up fast at the trailhead (mainly because Morskie Oko is so famous!).
What to See in the Valley of the Five Lakes
The primary attraction of the valley is, of course, the five stunning alpine lakes that sit within it. It will take you about 1.5 hours to hike into the valley initially, and then there’s a walking path that links all the lakes together.
We’ll talk in detail about the hike into the valley later. For now, let’s just take a look at some of the highlights you can look forward to…
- Wielki Staw – The largest of the five lakes, Wielki Staw (Great Lake) is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and deep blue color. Its depth reaches 79 meters, making it the deepest lake in the Tatras.
- Mały Staw – Mały Staw (Small Lake) is the smallest of the five lakes. It’s WAAAY smaller than all the others, sat between the big lake and Przedni Staw. Blink and you’ll miss it
- Przedni Staw – Located closest to the mountain hut in the valley, Przedni Staw (Front Lake) is a favorite among visitors for its accessibility and scenic views. Many sit here to survey the whole valley in front of them with some refreshments purchased at the hut.
- Czarny Staw – Czarny Staw (Black Lake) is named for its dark, inky hue, caused by its depth and the surrounding mountain shadows. It has a mysterious charm that sets it apart from the other lakes in the valley looks particularly dramatic because it sits right under the peak of Wielka Kotelnica.
- Zadni Staw – This is the highest of the lakes, sitting at an elevation of 1,890 meters. We reckon its by far the most dramatic, what with Zawrat mountain, Kozi Wierch, and Świnica all keeping watch just above. It also happens to be the hardest to get to.
In addition to the lakes, the valley is surrounded by some of the most dramatic peaks in the Tatras. They include Kozi Wierch (2,291 meters) and Świnica (2,301 meters). The Valley is actually a gateway to the challenging hiking/climbing paths to the summits of both, which require scrambling and have assisted chain sections.
Hiking the Valley of the Five Lakes
The Valley of the Five Lakes is a hiker’s paradise, offering trails that cater to a variety of skill levels, from moderate walks to more strenuous alpine treks.
One thing to know is that you will ALWAYS need to complete the initial walk up from the parking lots at Palenica Bialczanska. That takes around 40 minutes to an hour.
Then, once you’re in the valley, you can either choose to take it easy or push yourself with longer loops or even multi-day hikes that take you from hut to hut (though that will require pre-planning and advance bookings).
The most common hiking route – or, at least, the one we’d recommend – around the Valley of the Five Lakes is roughly 14km in total and takes about 5-6 hours. It goes like this:
- Parking at Palenica Bialczanska to Wodogrzmoty Mickiwicza [40 minutes] – There are multiple parking lots at Palenica. The earlier you come the closer you’ll be able to get to the trailhead usually. From there it’s an easy walk up through the pine woods to a big clearing where there are toilets. This is where the Valley of the Five Lakes trail diverges from the Morskie Oko trail.
- Wodogrzmoty Mickiwicza to Siklawa Waterfall [GREEN TRAIL/1h15] – This is a gorgeous section of the hike, deep in a narrow valley and in thick evergreen woods. It’s a bit steep here and there and the track is made up of big boulders sunk into the ground.Ignore the left turn onto the Black Trail that you’ll pass; you’ll use that to come back later. Push up the Green Trail to Siklawa Waterfall, a 70-meter cataract that’s one of the highest in Poland. It’s an amazing sight, especially after snowmelt in spring.
- Siklawa Waterfall to Wielki Staw [GREEN TRAIL/10 mins] – A short connecting hike from the waterfall to the big lake on the Green Trail opens up the whole of the valley in front of you.
- Wiekli Staw to Zadni Staw [BLUE TRAIL/40mins to 1 hour] – You don’t HAVE to add this bit on but we’d recommend it if you want to see all the lakes – and the best lake! It’s an ascent along the northwestern side of the whole Valley of the Five Lakes that skirts the Wielki Staw, then the Czarny Staw, and finally zigzags up to offer views of the Zadni Staw, which is where you’ll get the best views of the day. This is a more challenging section and requires good fitness, not least of all because it adds two hours to the full hike (you go up and down the same path). Remember to turn back when you reach Zadni Staw – the trails from there get gnarly.
- Zadni Staw back to Wielki Staw [BLUE TRAIL/40 mins to 1 hour] – The same route going back.
- Wielki Staw past Przedni Staw [BLACK TRAIL/40 mins] – Veer off onto the Black Route at Wielki Staw as you return. It will take you past pretty Przedni Staw before zigzagging through a forest to return you to the Green Trail you took up.
- Back to Palenica Bialczanska via Green Trail and path [1h30] – Return via the path you came up, going through Wodogrzmoty Mickiwicza where you join the wide forest track all the way back to the parking.
Additional hikes to do from the Valley of the Five Lakes
You hike doesn’t have to end in the Valley here.
Many people will plan additions that take them over surrounding peaks to other valleys, either coming really early to fit it all into one day or booking in advance for a stay in the mountain huts so that you can string together one, two, or more days of walking in the Tatras.
We would say this: The mountains that surround the valley here are among the steeper and highest in the range. They’re also more technical than a lot of mountains nearer to Zakopane, with many involving narrow paths, chain-assisted ascents, and scrambling. They’re much more suited to advanced hikers than casual walkers.
Here’s a taster of the extensions you can do from the Valley of the Five Lakes…
- Zawrat Pass – For those seeking a more challenging hike, you can take the trail from the valley to Zawrat Pass (2,159 meters). This trail is part of the famous Orla Perć ridge and involves some scrambling with the help of chains. It’s hard and very exposed, so you must know what you’re doing
- Kozi Wierch – Experienced hikers can tackle the ascent of Kozi Wierch, the highest peak entirely within Poland. The trail from the valley to Kozi Wierch is demanding, but the panoramic views from the summit are well worth the effort. Be prepared for steep and rocky sections, as well as some exposure.
Huts in the Valley of the Five Lakes
One of the highlights of hiking in the Tatras is the chance to stay in a traditional mountain hut (schronisko), and the Valley of the Five Lakes has one of the most famous huts in the region….
Schronisko PTTK w Dolinie Pięciu Stawów is the highest-altitude mountain hut in Poland, located at 1,670 meters above sea level. This cozy refuge offers basic but comfortable accommodation for hikers and serves as a perfect base for exploring the valley. The hut has dormitory-style rooms and shared facilities, making it a great place to meet fellow adventurers.
You HAVE to book it in advance. Simple as that.
In addition to accommodation, the hut offers a restaurant serving hearty Polish meals, including soups, pierogi, and grilled meats—ideal for refuelling after a long day of hiking.
The views from the hut’s terrace are spectacular, with Przedni Staw lake in the foreground and the towering peaks of the Tatras in the distance.
When to visit the Valley of the Five Lakes?
The Valley of the Five Lakes is spectacular all year round. But there’s no denying that the seasons have a BIG impact on what you’ll experience.
The peak time to visit is the summer. The reason? It’s when the hiking conditions are at their best. This deep in the Carpathian Mountains, you can never really predict what weather you’ll have but the period from the end of May to the middle of August promises the highest chance of clear blue skies and no rain, with temperatures that are a-okay for hiking in shorts and trail runners – like 20-30 C.
Personally, we LOVE the autumn here. Crowds drop away a lot and it’s a period of gorgeous transition in the Valley of the Five Lakes and the Tatras more generally, with the upper heathers and moorlands changing colour, and the potential appearance of snow on the peaks.
By the middle of October, it’s possible that you’ll have thick snow coverage in the Tatras. That will last almost all winter until around mid-April or even later. It really changes the hiking picture. You’ll need a lot more gear (bigger boots, gators, spikes, thermals) and have experience in winter walking, especially if you want to include any of the more challenging hiking extensions – the likes of Zawrat and Kozi Wierch, for example, are SUPER hard in the winter.
