Morskie Oko — Attraction in gmina Bukowina Tatrzańska

Morskie Oko is an absolute gem in the Tatra Mountains and a must-see if you're visiting the region. The hike to the lake is well-marked and relatively straightforward, making it accessible for all ages and fitness levels. The trail, though mostly paved, offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and forests, making the journey to the lake just as enjoyable as the destination.

When you finally reach Morskie Oko, the view is breathtaking. The crystal-clear, emerald waters of the lake are surrounded by towering peaks, including the iconic Rysy mountain. The scenery is truly stunning and feels like something out of a postcard.

For those looking for a bit more adventure, the hike to Czarny Staw is a great option, but if you’re up for a serious challenge, the climb to the summit of Rysy is an experience like no other. The trail to Rysy is steep and demanding, requiring a good level of fitness and sure-footedness, especially near the top where the path is rocky and exposed. However, the effort is absolutely worth it—the panoramic views from the summit are some of the most spectacular in the Tatras, giving you a sense of accomplishment and a unique perspective of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

Do keep in mind that Morskie Oko is very popular, especially during peak tourist seasons, so the trail and the lake area can get crowded. Starting early in the day is advisable to avoid the biggest crowds and to enjoy the peaceful morning light over the lake.

There’s also a mountain hut near the lake where you can grab a bite to eat or warm up with a hot drink. Overall, Morskie Oko is a stunning destination that lives up to the hype and is a must-visit for anyone exploring the...

The lake by itself is nice, but hardly worth the hassle and price of getting there.

It is possible to get parking when you go there last minute. It will be a parking 2km and at the bottom of the hill from entrance, but it is possible to find a place. Also costs 100 zloti. There is a small bus in the roundabout before the climb uphill that takes people up to entrance for 5 zloti per person. It can be good to catch it to save yourself a walk with no particular worthwhile scenery uphill. The entrance to the park is another 10 zloti per person. The horse carriages are after that gate. There usually is a large line. You pay directly to the carriage driver. 100 zloti per person on way up, and 50 for way down. The road up is about 7km of pure uphill. Scenery is a hit and miss. One might also experience dubious looks of people walking down the mountain, likely due to same sentiment as people writing comments about horse treatment. Generally, saw very few people actually walking up. Also I saw horses being watered and brushed and rested halfway up on a single trip. And fed at the top, so cant say that I noted any mistreatment. There are bathrooms at the top. 4 zloti in coins to enter. There’s a machine and metal bar. Additionally, once at the top there’s 2 more km, half of ot uphill to reach the lake. Which is overcrowded.

Generally, if walking uphill is not strictly the main point, or exploring further paths - then just for that single lake, the entire endavour...

Go to the bus station at Zakopane city, find any bus that says "Morskie Oko", and get on it. The buses there are more like little vans. You will pay the driver PLN 15 (only in cash) when you get down the bus. The bus will take about 30-40 minutes and they will drop you at "Entry point to TPN - Palenica Białczańska". You can get your park entrance ticket which will cost PLN9 there, but you can also buy them online instantly and skip the queue.

It is very important to bring enough water, food and snacks as this whole trip will take more or less 6-7 hours in total.

Our hike started from 11am, and we arrived at the lake at 2pm.

Weather was perfect, sunny and cloudy.

The hike itself was pretty boring. We hiked up on asphalt road and there were horse carriages going up and down - not a supporter of leisure horse drawn carriages.

The forestry was beautiful. There were also "shortcuts" which cut through the winding asphalt road. They were mainly dirt and stone roads which is way more challenging than asphalt roads. There is a cafe on the way up, close to the lake but the food seemed like they were just microwaved frozen food. We didn't have them.

The lake was pretty crowded, and it was pretty cloudy when we got there, so we didn't get to see the true colour of the lake. There was a cafe by the lake but everything...