Anyone visiting Zakopane and its surroundings usually takes a trip to the picturesque Morskie Oko.
Morskie Oko is the most popular and largest lake in the Tatra Mountains. It is located in the Dolina Rybiego Potoku valley, at an altitude of 1,395 metres above sea level, at the foot of the Mięguszowieckie Peaks. Anyone visiting Zakopane and its surroundings usually takes a trip to the picturesque Morskie Oko.
Basic information
Morskie Oko is a glacial lake, formed in a cirque and moraine basin, with an oval shape. The lake covers 34.93 hectares, and is 862 metres long and 568 metres wide. The lake’s maximum depth is approximately 50.8 metres. The shores of Morskie Oko are covered with boulders, followed by sand and gravel, and farther out by dark silt. The lake water has a characteristic green colour.
As early as the 17th century, the highlanders called the lake Biały Staw. Other names found in use include Rybi Staw and Rybie Jezioro. These names have a basis in fact – Morskie Oko is one of the few lakes in the Tatra Mountains that are naturally stocked with fish (trout). Morskie Oko is permanently fed by Mnichowy Potok and Czarnostawiański Potok, and periodically by several smaller streams.
Dwarf mountain pine grows around Morskie Oko, along with large Swiss pines. The shores are covered with plant species that are very rare in Poland, including Hacquet’s lousewort, alpine woollywort, Lachenal’s sedge and rock wormwood.
PTTK Mountain Hut at Morskie Oko
On the northern side of the lake there is a PTTK mountain hut, located at an altitude of 1,405 metres above sea level. It was built in 1908 and underwent a major renovation between 1988 and 1992. This hut is one of the oldest in the Tatra Mountains and is regarded as one of the most beautiful. It provides an excellent base for trips to, among other destinations, Poland’s highest peak, Rysy, as well as Szpiglasowa Pass and Mięguszowiecka Pass under Chłopek.
How to get there?
Many hiking trails lead to Morskie Oko. The red trail follows an asphalt road from Palenica Białczańska; the estimated walking time is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. You can also follow the red trail from Toporowa Cyrhla via Psia Trawka and Rówień Waksmundzka, the blue trail through Świstówka Roztocka, or the yellow trail leading to Szpiglasowa Pass.
Where to stay?
Choosing a place to stay will be important. Zakopane has no shortage of private rooms, guesthouses and luxury hotels. One of them is the newly opened mountain hotel Aries SPA Zakopane (www.hotelaries.pl), offering comfortable rooms and a thermal swimming pool. Those tired from hiking or a full day of skiing can relax in the on-site SPA & Wellness area. It is worth seeing.