This is beyond the comprehension of most people. However, when choosing this route, we must be aware that most of its length will be covered by asphalt. During vacations and warm spring and autumn weekends, we will meet crowds of tourists on the route to Morskie Oko. But once in a lifetime, Morskie Oko has to be seen.
The entire route is 18.6 km. According to guides, its passage will take us an average of 4.35h. Less fit people should expect up to 6-7h for this trip. The route to Morskie Oko is a very good choice for families with small children - there is no risk of twisting a leg on the stones. You can also go to Morskie Oko in a stroller.
Let me start by saying that due to the popularity of the route to Morskie Oko, the best way to get there is by bus, which run between Zakopane (FIS bar, opposite the PKS station on Kosciuszko Street) and Lysa Polana.
Starting from Palenica Białczańska, located at 990 meters above sea level, the journey ends at Morskie Oko, 1395 meters above sea level. This walk is within the reach of every tourist. Even older people will do well to reach Morskie Oko on their own strength.
The route is not difficult, thanks to the smooth asphalt surface we will not even feel that we are in the mountains. 200 meters before Mickiewicz's Waterfalls stand wooden buildings, erected there by TPN. They house an exhibition on the Tatra Mountains.
Mickiewicz's Waterfalls is an exceptionally beautiful place, created at the junction of the Białka and Roztoka valleys. The waterfalls were created on the rocky thresholds of the Roztoka Stream, which flows out of the Valley of Five Ponds. From the bridge, erected by the Waterfall, only the Intermediate Waterfall is visible. No trail has been led to the Higher and Lower Waterfalls. It is very important to watch out for occasional avalanches in winter in this place.
Benches and tables have been erected at the Waterfall, where you can rest on the way to Morskie Oko.
Two kilometers higher, hikers who do not have strollers with them and want to feel for a moment at least like in the mountains, can take a shortcut. The approach is much steeper than the asphalt road, but it allows to shorten the route by a few hundred meters. There are four sections avoiding the asphalt. After passing them, we must return to the asphalt road. This is the only way to reach Morskie Oko.
At Włosienica Glade you can not only rest on benches, but also use portable toilets. After all, we must remember that we are in a National Park and it is not allowed not only to take care of your needs in the forest, but even to go off the designated trails. It may be hard to imagine, but the TPN is home to quite a number of wild animals. Among them are bears, which are very dangerous to humans.
Less than 2h after passing Mickiewicz's Waterfall we are at our destination. Morskie Oko is the largest Tatra lake. 1395 m above sea level, the lake is 862 m long and 568 m wide. Its depth reaches 51.8 m. Morskie Oko usually freezes in November and the ice melts in May.
Morskie Oko in the 17th century was White Pond. Later the names Fish Lake and Fish Pond appeared, as the reservoir did not require artificial stocking. It was not until German settlers from Spiš that it was called by the name still used today.
Above the lake is one of the most beautiful Polish mountain huts. Next to it is an old hostel, which was originally a carriage house. It is the oldest surviving hostel building in Poland. Both buildings are under conservation protection. "New hostel" was built in 1908. The hostel is a base for trips to Rysy, Mięguszowiecka Przełęcz pod Chłopkiem or Szpiglasowa Przełęcz.
From Morskie Oko you can see, among other things:
to the southeast - Rysy, Niżnie Rysy, Kopa Spadowa, Żabi Mnich,
to the south - Mięguszowiec Peaks, Kazalnica, Ox Ridge, Ox Turn, Frog Mięguszowiec Turn, Frog Horse,
to the northwest Opalony Wierch and Miedziane,
to the southwest - Mnich and Cubryn,
to the east - Frog's Lower Peak, Frog's Tip and Seven Pomegranates.
Morskie Oko can also be circumnavigated by a circular trail. It begins with a stone path, laid here back in the 19th century. Along the way it is worth stopping at the shrine of Our Lady of Happy Returns.
The return from Morskie Oko to Palenica Białczańska itself is, according to the guidebook times, about 2h.
