Rysy is the highest mountain in Poland at 2500 metres. Its located on the mountainous border between Poland and Slovakia. The mountain provides spectacular views over the Tatras.
Rysy is located in the eastern Tatra Mountains, in the Tatra National Park in the south of Poland. The name Rysy derives from the mountain couloirs and can be translated as “cracks in the mountainside”. In the early 1800s, the name Rysy referred to all peaks surrounding Czarny Staw pod Rysami. By the late 1800s, after the naming of various features, the use of Rysy had narrowed to only the highest peak on the ridge.
Today Rysy consists of three summits: Rysy (2500m) the highest mountain in Poland, Rysy South (2501m) in Slovakia, and Rysy South East (2472m) also in Slovakia. From the summit of Rysy is possible to distinguish 80 peaks and 13 lakes of the Tatras. In good visibility its possible to see over 200 kilometres, including Krakow (90km away) and reportedly even the outlines of the Bieszczady and Ukrainian Carpathians.
Rysy Trailhead
Its possible to reach Rysy from both Poland and Slovakia. The route from Poland is steeper and more difficult than the route from Slovakia, however, as Rysy is the highest mountain in Poland, most hikers come from the Polish side. Rysy is only two kilometres south east of the famous lake Morskie Oko, which you’ll pass if hiking from the Polish side. Both Morskie Oko and Rysy share the same trailhead at Palenica Białczańska. To reach the trailhead, you need to transit through the resort town of Zakopane. To read more on how to ge to the trailhead of Palenica Białczańska, including buses and national park fees, visit our guide for Zakopane to Morskie Oko.
Palenica Bialczanska to Morskie Oko
It takes approximately 2 hours to walk from Palenica Białczańska to Morskie Oko. For a detailed guide please visit our guide Zakopane to Morskie Oko.
Morskie Oko to Czarny Staw pod Rysami
From the edge of Morskie Oko, you’ll have a spectacular views of the High Tatras surrounding the lake which rise up over 1000 metres, the very mountains you’ll soon be standing on top of!
The Morskie Oko Curcuit does a loop around the lake which takes an hour return. When continuing to Rysy, follow the eastern side of the lake. As soon as you leave the vicinity of the hut (Schronisko PTTK Morskie Oko) you’ll see much fewer people, those hundreds soon turn into dozens. As tempting as it may be, it is strictly prohibited to swim in the lake. This is to protect the delicate ecosystem of the lake. The ban is enforced and you could be slapped with a fine for violating this rule.
At the southern most point of Morskie Oko is a junction; the track to the right continues circumnavigating the lake, and the track to the left begins climbing upward to the lake Czarny Staw Pod Rysami. ‘Czarny Staw Pod Rysami’ literally means ‘Black Lake below Mount Rysy’ as is so named for the dark colour it assumes when in the shadow of the mountains. Czarny Staw is 170 metres higher than Morskie Oko, at an elevation of 1583 metres. The lake is 76 metres deep, which is deeper than Morskie Oko (51 metres), making it the second deepest lake in the Tatras and the fourth deepest lake in Poland. It takes approximately 50 minutes to walk from Schronisko PTTK Morskie Oko hut to Czarny Staw Pod Rysami.
Czarny Staw pod Rysami to Rysy
What they don’t tell you is that Czarny Staw Pod Rysami is far more beautiful than Morskie Oko. The water is a beautiful turquoise colour. Directly in front of Czarny Staw pod Rysami is another junction; the track to the left / east continues to Rysy, the track to the right / west leads to the pass of ‘Przelecz Pod Chlopkiem’ (2307m). The track abruptly starts to climb from here. The track grows increasingly steep and rocky and be dangerous when wet. If you’re scared of heights this isn’t the walk for you. Good footwear is essential, it doesn’t need to be boots but you need to have footwear what wont slip. There are a fews sections fitted with chains to help you on your way.
From Czarny Staw Pod Rysami it takes approximately 2 hours to climb just under a kilometre in altitude to reach the rocky summit of Rysy (2499m) – the highest mountain in Poland. The view from the summit is truly incredible in all directions; Poland to the North, Slovakia to the South, and the mighty Tatras to the East and West.
Just a stones throw from the summit of Rysy, is the summit of Rysy South, just over the border in Slovakia. It takes literally a minute to get from one summit to the other. Rysy South is only 3 metres taller than Rysy, standing at 2501 metres.
From the summit of Rysy you can either return the way you’ve come (back down to Morskie Oko), or continue on into Slovakia. If you don’t want to do the entire hike in a single day, you have two options. You could return to Schronisko PTTK Morskie Oko hut, or you could stay at Chata Pod Rysmi in Slovakia, which is 500 metres south of of the summit of Rysy. If you plan on continuing on into Slovakia, check out our guide for Rysy to Popradské Pleso.
Rysy Overview
Section | Distance (km) | Duration | Elevation (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
Palenica Białczańska | 0.0 | 00:00 | 990 |
Palenica Białczańska to Morskie Oko | 8.0 | 02:00 | 1395 |
Morskie Oko to Czarny Staw pod Rysami | 1.8 | 00:50 | 1583 |
Czarny Staw pod Rysami to Rysy | 3.0 | 03:00 | 2500 |
Rysy to Czarny Staw pod Rysami | 3.0 | 02:30 | 1583 |
Czarny Staw pod Rysami to Morskie Oko | 1.8 | 00:40 | 1395 |
Morskie Oko to Palenica Białczańska | 8.0 | 02:00 | 990 |
Round Trip | 25.6 | 11:00 |
Safety Advice & Important Notes
- Be sure to check the weather prior to arrival and bring warm clothing. While only 2500 metres high, these are serious mountains. Mountain weather can change quickly and it can rain and snow any time of the year.
- Start you’re hike early so you can maximise your day. Depending on your speed, the hike could take over 11 hours for the return trip.
- Wear appropriate footwear. You may see people walking to Morskie Oko in flip flops and casual footwear, this will not cut it for the mountains. The track gets very steep and good footwear in imperative. It doesn’t need to be boots but you shoes need to be secure and not slippery.
- Winter ascents should only be attempted by experienced mountaineers. Mountain skills and equipment such as crampons and an ice axe will be needed and the area is prone for avalanches. Over the past 100 years more than 50 people have died here. The trail on the Slovak side is closed between November 1 and June 14 each year.
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