In the winter of 2019 Rich Griffiths and Nick Read the Pride Expeditions’ Directors visited Poland for a week ski mountaineering in the Tatra mountains near Krakow. This area has shown to be a great destination for adventurers who want to access the mountains of Europe easily and cheaply . A two-hour drive from Krakow takes you to the lively town of Zakopane in the center of the Tatra mountain range.
The Tatras are the highest range in the Carpathian Mountains and form the border between Poland and Slovakia. They are crisscrossed with amazing trails that are connected with a great system of mountain huts. The huts provide you with bedding and sustenance in the form of Perogi (dumplings) and Zurek (soup) and are much cheaper than their French and Italian equivalents.
The cosy little Kondratowa hut below Giewont
Poland is a country that has been on the radar of Pride Expeditions for a while. It has some great mountains, it’s not too expensive and has some very good flight connections with the UK. It is also a conservative country that is experiencing a culture war with the ruling law and order party eroding LGBT+ rights and increasing intolerance towards gay people. They are using similar language against minorities that is being used in Hungary and Russia but a recent Ipsos poll suggested that 56% of Poles support the introduction of same-sex civil partnerships and even marriage equality. It’s time for equality!
During a weeks ski Rich crossed the Zawrat pass which connects two of the most popular valleys in the Tatras - Hala Gąsienicowa and Dolina Pięciu Stawów . This two day ski tour, which is also possible as a summer hike intersects the magnificent mountain ridge of Orla Perc which roughly translates as The Eagles path. These are spiky mountains that make an excellent traverse in Summer conditions. Not for those scared of heights!
On the pass at the top of the steep gully
The most iconic peak of the Polish Tatras is called Giewont, easily visible from the centre of Zakopane. It is associated with a legend of a sleeping knight because the profile of the mountain is similar to that of a knight in repose. The summit is marked with a 15m tall steel cross which is reached via a short scramble from the slopes below. Once again, although equipped with chains to haul on this is an adventure not for the faint-hearted. We were certainly glad of our ice axe, crampons and safety rope!
On the summit of Giewont looking out on the Tatras
After visiting Poland and having first hand experience of the Tatra mountains we have realised what a great destination it would be for a Summer Trek. We have put together a week long trek in the Tatra for 2021. To see the itinerary and further details please click on the link to our Tatra Mountain Trek in Poland in August 2021.