ZAKOPANE
We’ve been to Zakopane several times, and perhaps one of the reasons we kept coming back was that we always had a great time there. This post is about one of our summer trips, during which we hiked, and even went rafting.
Zakopane is the most important town in the Polish part of the High Tatras. Historians believe that the first settlements from which Zakopane developed appeared more than 400 years ago. The town’s boom occurred in the 19th century thanks to health tourism. The area’s excellent air had a beneficial effect on lung diseases; initially, those seeking healing were treated in high-altitude shepherds’ huts, and later, a sanatorium provided professional care. Alongside health tourism, sports tourism also developed. Zakopane is a popular ski resort and is also favored by hikers. The town boasts a rich culture, and its architectural style is considered unique even within Poland.
On the first day, we went on a hike to the Siklawica Waterfall. We left the car on Ulica Strazyska and started hiking uphill from there. The hike takes about 50 minutes, and the elevation gain is minimal. The waterfall was beautiful, but the view is more spectacular after a period of heavy rainfall.
Our next destination was Gubalowka. The peak is 1,123 meters high, and you can take a cable car up to it. Gubalowka offers a magnificent panoramic view of the city.
One of Zakopane’s oldest religious buildings is the wooden church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Inside this peasant-Baroque-style building, with its wooden shingle roof, visitors can see a statue of the Black Madonna alongside the decorative elements. Behind the church lies the town’s first cemetery, where the graves of several well-known persons can be found.
We spent the afternoon rafting. The rafts set off from Sromowce Wyzne, and we floated down the Dunajec River for several hours. The route was about 18 km long and passed through beautiful scenery. The boys were still captivated for the first hour, but after that, even the varied scenery couldn’t lift their spirits. To tell the truth, they got bored with the rafting. On the way back, minibuses took us back to the starting point.
The next day, we went to the Morskie Oko lake. Morskie Oko is the largest lake in the Tatra Mountains, nestled at an altitude of 1,400 meters among 2,000-meter peaks. It is located about 10 km from the parking lot and can be reached with a leisurely 3-hour hike. If you’re not up for that, you can cover a significant portion of the distance by horse carriage. We walked up and took the horse carriage back down. The lake and its surroundings are magnificent. The water is crystal-clear, cold, and very deep. The only thing marring the overall picture was the drastic destruction of the pine forests.
During our last activity, we visited the Wieliczka Salt Mine. The salt mine has been in continuous operation since the 13th century. The salt deposits in the Kraków area formed several million years ago. In the past, salt was extracted through evaporation; later, rock salt mining began. The mine lies 327 meters deep and has a total length of approximately 300 km. Of the nine levels, three are open to tourists; the deepest point is reached after descending several hundred steps. On the way back up, however, a narrow but very fast mine elevator takes visitors to the surface. In the chambers, alongside mining-related processes and tools, you can see sculptures, chapels, and lakes. The most spectacular part is the St. Kinga Chapel, which is enormous compared to the other chambers.
A visit to the salt mine, including travel time, is a half-day excursion, but it’s definitely worth seeing. Wieliczka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This unique location attracts millions of tourists, so it’s recommended to purchase tickets in advance.
Zakopane is a real gem, just a short distance from Budapest. Depending on the season, you can put together a diverse and varied itinerary for a trip lasting a few days or even longer. Have a great trip!
June, 2015
