My favorite part of Poland was by far my venture down to Zakopane. A few hours bus ride south of Krakow brings you to a ski resort town in the mountains just north of Slovakia.
While this city is a tourist hub, it is primarily a vacation destination for people in the region.
The city of Zakopane itself is not particularly special, but in the summer and fall, when no snow is on the ground, Zakopane is the perfect place to base day hikes.
The most popular hike is to Morskie Oko, which means “Eye of the Sea.” Nestled in the Tatra mountains, the deepest glacial lake in the region has crystal clear water and reflects the surrounding landscape.
Vans to Morskie Oko leave all day from the bus station, but it is best to go in the morning. For 10 zloty ($2.64), this bus will bring you 30 minutes to the entrance of the hike. There is a cost of admission, but it drops to almost zero with a student ID. Prepare to pay another 10 zloty in cash to the vans for your return home.
After two hours of slightly uphill hiking on asphalt, the base of the lake has a cozy chalet that offers hot food and drinks, which was a lifesaver on the chilly September day I chose to go.
It takes one more hour to follow the trail around the lake, which I definitely recommend. There are also trails that lead steep up into the mountains, but I was not dressed warmly enough to take on these challenges. I wore hiking shoes, lightweight hiking khakis, a sweater and a jean jacket. This was barely sufficient. I would recommend a fleece sweater, windbreaker, and hat/gloves for the late September climate I was walking in.
The returning hikes is on the same road, slightly declining asphalt for an hour and a half. The same vans will be waiting upon your return to take people back to the city.
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