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The Tatras are the highest part of the Carpathian mountain range, and for centuries they were Poland's natural border in the south. Arriving in Poland by air, the granite peaks rear up out of the clouds, slashing the skies like the claws of some mythic beast.
Traditionally, the lands beyond here belonged to Hungary, but by the mid-seventeenth century, the Ottoman Empire - Poland's traditional foe - had crept all the way up to the Tatras. As the Sultan's Empire crumbled, the Hungarians moved back in, and they enjoyed warm relations with the Poles. Today, it is the goodly Slovakians who live beyond the mountains, and border skirmishes are not likely to interfere with your hiking trips.
The Tatra mountains cover some 785 square kilometres, three quarters of which lie in Slovakia. The highest Polish peak is Mount Rysy, which rises to 2499 metres above sea level. However, the most distinctive peak is Giewont, which is known affectionately as the 'Sleeping Knight'.
The Polish part of the Tatras was formally declared a national park in 1955. The lower and middle parts of the range are cloaked in forest. Beechs, which were traditional in this area, are now rarer, being superceded by larches, and above all spruces. These continue to grow beyond 1250 metres, along with stone pines, and it is in this area that wildlife is at its richest. Deer, wild boar, lynx, wolves and bears are to be found, as well as a great variety of birds and the Apollo butterfly.
Higher up, in the rockier areas, live the chamois and the alpine marmot and vole. The golden eagle is now very rare. However, as country dwellers know, it is quite likely that you won't see any mammals at all, as they are shy of humanfolk. In this case you may have to make to do with the slightly surreal stuffed collection in the Tatra Museum.
There are rare types of flowers on the starker rock faces, but the richest flowers can be seen in the meadows and down in the valleys, where yellow crocuses form carpets in Spring. It is in the valleys too, that you can discover the caves. These are a very popular aspect of the Tatras, and steeped in legend. Much like the English band of Robin Hood, the region was once inhabited by outlaws - the famed 'zbojnicki'. Seven caves are open to the public, six of which lie in the beautiful Koscieliska valley. Another popular feature of the range are the lakes, most famously the vast Morskie Oko, the 'Eye of the Sea.'
For skiers, the Kasprowy Wierch Peak is serviced by cable-car, and there are chairlifts in the Goryczlowa and Gasienicowa valleys. For hikers, there are 250 kilometres of trails in the park, ranging from leisurely strolls to hair-raising ascents for serious climbers. Entrance to the valleys is possible by bus, but from there you must continue on foot to the heart of the Tatras. Mountain bikes are permitted only on a few paths. Owing to the unpredictability of Mother Nature, there are basic safety precautions which are essential to bear in mind.
With the collapse of the Iron Curtain, border relations are now freer than ever. Thus for dedicated hikers, the opportunity to explore the region in depth is very much an option. Poles are the first to say how wonderful the Slovakian Tatras are, and it's well worth bearing this in mind if you want to get a full flavour of this wild region. | | | |
 | | "that's btiful, i wish i could go there.
it's superb" | David
South Africa
Mar.12.2010
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "i love this pic its totally awsome! omg!" | mackenzie hayslip
United States
Mar.01.2010
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Polish Tatras are the most beautiful mountains in Europe. Morskie Oko lake, Zakopane town, highlanders culture ..... awesome!!!" | Eugenio
Estonia
Feb.24.2010
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "nyce mountains" | milay
Nicaragua
Feb.02.2010
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "these mountains are so beautiful!" | :)
United States
Jan.24.2010
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "nice pic
....but something scary,,," | ernalyn
Philippines
Dec.04.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "nice....but something scary,,," | ernalyn
Philippines
Dec.04.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "nice....but something scary,,," | ernalyn
Philippines
Dec.04.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "this mountain were formed by faulting.forces caused by geothermal reaction causes the tension and compressional forces
" | kasanya alex
Uganda
Dec.01.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Polskie Tatry są najpiękniejsze na świecie! Polish Tatra Mountains - are best of the best :)" | KS
Poland
Nov.23.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "that shit sucks big balls
" |
United States
Nov.12.2009
rates this page 3/5
|
| | "that sucks" | ?
United States
Nov.12.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | ":() WOW!! That is a really nice pic!" | bob
United States
Nov.09.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "dis shit is cool" | shy
United States
Nov.04.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "it is wonderful" | benson njau
Kenya
Oct.27.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "cool" | kal
United States
Sep.16.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "I haven't such a beautifil picture,,,,,,,,,,i love it,," | dhurba Poudel
Nepal
Sep.06.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "the Tatra Mountains are fantastic. Beauty beyond belief" | Patti
United States
Sep.03.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "i think it is relly cool" | alisha sanchez
United States
Sep.01.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "NICE!" | MARIA
United States
Aug.17.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "o.k" | shan
India
Jul.30.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "wow
what a picture
" |
Nepal
Jun.20.2009
rates this page 5/5
|
| | "thatz wonderful volcano gave feature to the philippines." | kim elijah
Philippines
Jun.11.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "well! hello
we think the tatra mountains are the best plase on the word. The last month we visited it, was a very exited and extrange experience.
1.000 kiss
bye bye " | niki and agos
United States
Jun.05.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Well of course, Castle Dracula was in the Carpathians (albeit the Transylvanian section, in today's Romania) so the Count would feel at home here. Check the film Nosferatu by Herzog,. filmed in this region (Slovak side)" | Peter N.
United Kingdom
May.27.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "good place to stick a castle at the top of that patch of snow on the right hand side of the picture" | dr.acula
Albania
May.13.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "Dentro de unos dias podremos apreciar la belleza de los Tatras si Dios Quiere. Ya os contaremos.
Jose ( Asturias ) y Maria ( Canarias )
saludos desde Espańa" |
Spain
May.13.2009
rates this page 3/5
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| | "is this a world heritage sit?" | renee from tullawong high school
Australia
May.04.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "this is really beautiful and its really look like my own country TIBET. i wish i will be there back tomy country soon, Free Tibet" | yeshi lhamo
Nepal
Apr.28.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "yall are stupid for commentin a stupid picture of a mountain....." | Tiffany
United States
Mar.31.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "omg! thatwas so cool. can you say tikki tikkitembo no sa rem bo charri barri rutchi pip perry pemm bo? " |
United States
Mar.03.2009
rates this page 5/5
|
| | "This pic is cooooooooooooooooollllll....I'm loving it..........." | sravz
India
Mar.02.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "wow this pic is so cool everyone should print this and show it to yor friendz!!!!!!!!" | cassie 4 reals
United States
Feb.23.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "WOW THAT IS SOOOOOOO BEAUTIFULL!!!!! I love majestic pictures like that they really make me smille!!
" | Kaitlyn
Canada
Feb.17.2009
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "man we have so many mountains here in pakistan this is nothing like them but anyway wow!!" | maha
Pakistan
Feb.03.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "hi,friends i am rocky
this picture looks osum and this picture shows the green." | rockstar
India
Feb.01.2009
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "hi im mia connelly im 9 im on this because im learning about extreme survival and mountains this is well good pic i love mountains expecialy the ones that go over the clouds well pic mia from redcar" | mia connelly
United Kingdom
Jan.08.2009
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "I REALLY MISS THIS PLACE AND COUNTRY..." | MPAO
Portugal
Dec.25.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "this is awsome." | gdhdggrff
China
Dec.18.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "this picture is gourgus! It makes me just wanna jump in the lake!" | Mark
United States
Dec.09.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "it is so nice and so intresting and beautiful" |
United States
Dec.07.2008
rates this page 3/5
|
| | "nice....
especially the mountain....nice record...thanks for the chance...bye...." | maya
Philippines
Dec.03.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "nice....
especially the mountain....nice record...thanks for the chance...bye...." | maya
Philippines
Dec.03.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "It nice! but need some replacement.
best of luck!!!!!!" | Samrat
Nepal
Nov.28.2008
rates this page 2/5 |
| | "BIG BANG THEROY SUCKS ITS NOT TRUE! GOD CREATED THIS EARTH" | jim arakataki
United States
Nov.25.2008
rates this page 1/5 |
| | "THIS IS A GORGEOUS PICTURE" | NUI
Aruba and Netherlands Antilles
Nov.14.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "awesome pic!" |
United States
Nov.02.2008
rates this page 5/5
|
| | "ithink this was a very good piece of work" |
United States
Oct.20.2008
rates this page 3/5
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| | "Sorry Question rather than commment, Has anyone stayed in Krakow, but done a day tour out to the Tatra's for snowmobiling. If so, which tour company did you use please, having trouble finding details on day tours. Thanks" | Libby
Australia
Oct.07.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "awsome pic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" | luv
United States
Sep.25.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "awsome pic!!!!!!!!!!!" | kk
United States
Sep.25.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "can anyone answer the Q about hillwalking in March/April is it possible or is there too much snow??" | j kelly
Ireland
Sep.23.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Hi there - I am already excited at the thought of visiting Zakopane for the first time in Feb. Just a bit apprehensive about being able to snow-shoe and walk in the mountains in winter. Can anyone offer advice as to how to organise this in advance - as we are not skiers ? Thanks you !" | Rose Holton
United Kingdom
Sep.23.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "zakopane is beautiful l climbed up tatry mountains went to morskie oko after thats just a beautiful place when you leave your heart tells you to go back zakopane is a the best." | karl schiele
United Kingdom
Aug.29.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "Pozdrowienia z zakopanego!
Świetny artykuł
zakopane kwatery" | fredek
Poland
Jul.01.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | ""yes" very interesting and can only enjoy by watching its pics. I belong from hill area and just feel the emotion to be there. it is hot if there are both for kissing." | Zaman khan
Pakistan
Jun.16.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "We've just come back from Poland and we climbed to the top of the Tatra mountains.The view was jut breathtakingly spectacular." | cj Howe
United Kingdom
Jun.03.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "huh??? im kinda lost by some of the comments but these pictures are so stunning and amazing!!! but im alittle skeptical about visiting there!" | kijai
United States
May.29.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "i've been there because i love traveling all over the world! it'so ravishing and amazing!!" | alex
Philippines
May.16.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "i love it. i have been there several times. i even made love at the top" | abucada
Albania
May.07.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Ičve been there itčs AWESOME!" | Monika
Canada
May.01.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "Very stunning and breathtaking" | lenas
United States
Apr.30.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "dat looks fun to be on top of nd scary" | ashley
United States
Apr.28.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | " After seeing this picture of Mountains i feel that Nature is the only almighty God , A miracle ,,,,,,,,,, A friend who is always behind me and supporting me forever in this World........... " | Mr. Rajesh V. Bhosale , M & E Officer ,
India
Apr.09.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | " After seeing this picture of Mountains i feel that Nature is the only almighty God , A miracle ,,,,,,,,,, A friend who is always behind me and supporting me forever in this World........... " | Mr. Rajesh V. Bhosale , M & E Officer ,
India
Apr.09.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "killah " | wayne
United States
Apr.07.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "This is a really good page. The picture is brill" | jessica
United States
Mar.13.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "hi there its cool" | ravi kumar
United States
Mar.13.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "that is really pretty i would love to that" | T-baby
United States
Mar.11.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "buitiful picture!" | alex
United States
Mar.06.2008
rates this page 5/5 |
| | "wow dat is real cool its very interestin" | idk
United States
Feb.26.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
| | "WOW!!the mountains are amazing i love them . what moutains are thay ???" |
United Kingdom
Feb.04.2008
rates this page 5/5
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| | "Combined a Krakow city break and visit to Zakopane to see the ski jump world cup as its only a 2hr bus trip from krakow city centre.Have been hear in spring and winter fab place with great atmosphere anytime of year!!!!" | franticfox
United Kingdom
Jan.30.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "It's a really great place from what i've heard and i wish i could go there and have a little visit!!!!!!" | anon
United Kingdom
Jan.19.2008
rates this page 3/5 |
| | "It's a really great place from what i've heard and i wish i could go and visit it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" | anon
United Kingdom
Jan.19.2008
rates this page 4/5 |
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