The remote Tatra Mountains combine dramatic alpine scenery with beautiful azure lakes and comfortable welcoming mountain refuges. The Tatra Mountains are the highest part of the Carpathian Mountains that form a border between Poland and Slovakia and are a trekker’s paradise. The tallest peaks reach up in impressive rocky spires and crenelated ridges. The Tatra are easily accessible from Krakow.
**Hiking the Polish and Slovak Tatras
Expedition Dates - Saturday 13th to 20th September 2025**
The remote Tatra mountains combine dramatic alpine scenery with beautiful azure lakes and comfortable welcoming mountain refuges.
This is a 5-day trek that starts and finishes in Zakopane, a beautiful town at the foot of the Tatra Mountains. We will be staying in remote mountain huts during the trek. Before the trek we spend the afternoon exploring the beautiful town of Zakopane at the foot of the mountains and after we return to Krakow and stay a night in a hotel near the city centre.
You will need to arrange your own flights into Krakow. On arrival in the airport everything will then be organised for you including the 2hr transfer to Zakpopane. .
Dates
13th to 20th September 2025
Cost
£800 including accommodation and transport Deposit £150
Secure your Spot: Please pay a £150 deposit online to secure your spot. We accept any currency. Once you have paid a deposit and minimum numbers have been met we will send you confirmation and a kit list. The balance is payable in instalments.
No meals or drinks are included. Food will be approximately 20 euro/day. Flights not included.
Transport from Krakow airport to Zakopane
One night’s accommodation in a 3 star hotel in Zakopane
One night accommodation in hotel in Krakow
Four nights in mountain huts with breakfast and dinner
Services of an international mountain leader and local LGBTQ guide
This is an arduous hike and it is important that you have sturdy walking boots that are rigid with a grippy sole making them good for scrambling. The huts provide all food and basic bedding - not including sheets and pillows.
You will need to carry a 30 to 40 litre day bag on the trek containing your basic toiletries and a few clothes. A comprehensive kit list will be sent to you once you have paid a deposit for this trip.
In Zakopane and in Krakow we will be eating in local restaurants these meals are not included in the cost. Whilst trekking all food is provided by the mountain huts. The food is hearty, home cooked Polish cuisine, a vegetarian and vegan option will be available. The huts will prepare a packed lunch for us. It is well worth bringing your own snacks and cereal bars for the duration of the trek
Day 1 - Arrival Saturday 13th September
After arrival in Krakow we will be transported to Zakopane at the base of the impressive Tatra Mountains. After dinner we spend the night in a hotel.
Day 2 - Sunday
In the morning we will take a short sightseeing trip of Zakopane before being transported to the Koscieliska Valley where we spend the night in Ornak hut.
Day 3 Ornak hut to Kalatowiki Hut 14 km, 1040m ascent/ 970m descent, 7hrs
We cross the ridge of Czerwone Wierchy (Red Summits) at the Polish Slovak border. We ascend Kondracka Pass from where it is possible to climb up Giewont, the symbolic mountain of Zakopane whose shape resembles a lying man. Highlanders believe that it is the sleeping knight who will protect them from invaders. From the pass we go down through Kondratowa Valley to Kalatówki Hut.
Day 4 - Kalatówki Hut to Roztoka Hut 19km 1100m ascent /1300m descent 7hrs
Today we cross the Panszczyca Valley and Gęsia Szyja small summit, which is a very scenic viewpoint. From the top we go down to Rusinowa meadow and Roztoka Hut where we spend the night.
Day 5 - Roztoka Hut to Roztoka Hut 18km 1400m ascent/1260m descent 10hrs
Today we cross the most spectacular part of Orla Perc ridge. We traverse the steep and rocky crest with ladders and chains. We head on towards the Kozia Pass then cross the southern slopes of Kozie Czuby by chains and exposed ledges. Finally we climb up to Kozi Wierch before following the marked path down to the five lakes valley and onwards to Roztoka Hut.
Day 6 - Roztoka and Rysy - Roztoka 21km 1800m ascent/1800m descent 11hrs
Today we climb Rysy, Poland’s highest mountain. The steep ascent is challenging but you will get some amazing views. We will also use chains and ladders to aid our ascent. Once on the top of the highest Polish mountain we have the views to Slovak side of the Tatras and down to the beautiful lake of Morskie Oko.
Day 7 - Day seven Roztoka hut to Krakow 7km 2hrs 30min
A short hike will lead to Rusinowa meadow, which is about 4km from Roztoka. Afterwards we will be transported to Krakow where we spend the afternoon sightseeing in this beautiful city and spend the night in a gay-friendly hotel.
Day eight – Fly Home
The trip finishes today and you will return to the airport ready for your return flight
Poland is a welcoming country that is unfortunately going through a politically motivated phase of marginalising its LGBTQ communities. Same-sex unions are not legal in Poland and there are conservative anti-gay rights groups that are trying to ferment hate towards LGBTQ individuals. That said same-sex relationships are not illegal and many Polish people are welcoming. Our Polish guides will not discriminate and are working hard to make you feel welcome as gay tourists and give you an adventure holiday to remember.
There are many LGBT activists and groups that are fighting against this prejudice. Although it feels like hatred and intolerance is on the rise in Poland the vast majority of Polish people are friendly and welcoming but it is wise to be discreet and avoid public displays of affection. Rather than boycotting Poland we are visiting Poland to show the benefits of embracing gay and lesbian tourists. We are supporting our local guides you support our ‘love is love’ ethos.
