Kasprowy Wierch is probably one of the most famous destinations in Tatra National Park. There are many ways leading to the top β a few hiking trails and a convenient cable rail, if you prefer more laisure solution. Hiking Kasprowy Wierch is a great experience leading through the most iconic mountain scenery. Be prepared for a challenging but breathtaking experience. With a little bit of knowledge and preparation, the trail is doable not only by experienced hikers. Here is a comprehensive guide and essential safety tips for conquering Kasprowy Wierch in my beloved Tatra Mountains β€οΈ
Hiking Kasprowy Wierch (1987m.)
Kasprowy Wierch (Mount Kasprowy) is one of the most iconic peaks in the range of Tatra Mountains, situated on the border of Poland and Slovakia. Hiking Kasprowy Wierch is an extremely popular activity, but it is generally considered a challenging route.
So before setting foot on this trail, you should really make some preparation. Always check the weather forecast and trail conditions. Due to the mountainous terrain, the weather can change rapidly, so you must be equipped to handle various weather scenarios. Proper hiking gear is essential, many people approach Tatra hiking trails in trainers, which is highly irresponsible.
Get an entry ticket to Tatra National Park – can be purchased online or at the checkpoint.Β
You should never go on a mountain adventure without travel insurance, medical coverage is a must when approaching hiking trails. SafetyWing offers very good coverage.
How to get to Kasprowy Wierch?
You can either hike to the top of Kasprowy Wierch or take a cable car. There are several marked hiking trails leading to the top of Kasprowy.
Kuznice town (lower cable car station) is the most popular starting point for hiking Kasprowy Wierch. From Kuznice you can choose between Green and Yellow hiking trail.
Checkpoint for entry ticket to Tatra National Park (can be purchased online – multiday options are available) – located on the beginning of the GREEN trail to Kasprowy.
You can get to Kasprowy Wierch starting point by car or by local mini bus (recommended).Β
Kuznice Car Parking.
If youβre going by car, there are few practical things to know. The last 3 km leading to Kuznice station is considered to be private. That means you may not be permitted to reach the final parking, near the cable rail bottom station. Although with exception to a high season you should be fine. However, winter peak season, Christmas week, and whenever Zakopane is filling up with extreme crowds β you will definitely not be allowed to drive through.
Getting to Kasprowy Wierch by mini bus.
To reach the starting point to hiking Kasprowy Wierch, the most convenient way is taking a public minibus. It departs from Zakopane Main Bus/Train Station to Kuznice, the bus will drop you near Kuznice car parking, which is 50 meters from the lower cable rail station.
Kasprowy peak is also the longest ski slope in this area and a lot of people are taking the cable car all year round take to spend a day on the top, admiring astonishing views while having their lunch or hot tea.Β
Kasprowy Wierch by cable car.
The fastest way to get to Kasprowy Wierch is by cable car.Β
The lower Cable Car station is located in Kuznice, where the ticket office is located, however it’s possible to purchase tickets in advance online. It takes 20 minutes to reach the top by cable car. The panoramic mountain views from the upper Cable Car station are breathtaking. There are cafes and restaurants to sit and relax the gorgeous landscape.
Kasprowy Wierch ticket.
The journey by cable car takes approximately 20 minutes, while hiking Kasprowy Wierch is pretty tough, challenging and takes at least 3 hours one way for experienced hikers. It is possible to purchase tickets for a cable car online – on Kasprowy Wierch official website.Β Check all information about the cable car tickets and weather conditions.
Hiking trails in Tatra Mountains.
Tatra Mountains are very popular among hikers from different parts of the world. That means in good weather conditions, weekends and summer season you will hardly ever get a chance to enjoy them on your own. Most of the trails are crowded as hell! The most scenic trails, leading through mountain lakes and iconic valleys can be so busy during the holiday season, that people are queuing on the way to mountain peaks.
You should definitely get Tatra National Park hiking map, which can be obtained for FREE from any Tourist Information Office. You will find a few information centers in Zakopane in different locations (and one on the way to Kuznice). Hiking routes are marked with 5 different colors, reflecting the level of difficulty, which can be very helpful for any hiker.
Safety tips for hiking Kasprowy Wierch.
Before approaching any hiking trail in Tatra Mountains – there are two things you should do before leaving for any hiking adventure:
- Check the weather forecast on the official Tatra National Park website.
- Find the nearest Tourist Information Center to get free hiking map and ask about weather conditions on the day – they have the most updated information from Tatra Mountain rescue team.
- CheckΒ avalanche alerts.
- If you are hiking alone (like me) always inform someone of your hiking plans and route, and anticipated return time. This is extremely important in case of unforeseen circumstances, which happen often in Tatra Mountains!
Hiking trails in the Tatra Mountains can be extremely challenging, you need to be fully prepared to avoid being under-equipped. Tatra Mountains are stunning and for those who love mountains, it will be a mystic adventure. In winter time (including spring), when the slopes are covered with deep snow and slopes are icy and tricky, hiking Tatra Mountains is a completely different experience than in summer months.Β
Proper hiking gear is a must, including sturdy hiking boots – no matter whether it’s summer or autumn. Additionally, layered clothing, a waterproof jacket, a first-aid kit, plenty of water and high-energy snacks.
Hiking Kasprowy Wierch from Kuznice.
There are a number of trails leading to the top of Kasprowy Wierch. Two hiking trails start in Kuznice – you can choose from:
- GREEN (the easiest trail): Kuznice – Myslenickie Turnie – Kasprowy Wierch. The trail goes along the cable car.
- YELLOW: Kuznice, Hala Gasienicowa, Kasprowy Wierch.
I chose the GREEN trail: STARTING POINT: Kuznice (1010m) leading to Myslenickie Turnie (1350m) and Dolina Goryczkowa (I know Polish words can be extremely difficult to read π
Green trail to Kasprowy Wierch.
This moderate trail leads along the cable rail and it takes around 3 hours for an experienced hiker to reach Kasprowy Wierch (certainly depending on weather conditions). If you donβt want to go down the same way, you can do a loop starting in Kuznice (blue trail) β Murowaniec (yellow trail from Murowaniec) to Dolina Gasienicowa. Dolina GasienicowaΒ is an amazing place with a tourist shelter and stunning mountain views. The YELLOW trail leads straight to the top of Kasprowy Wierch.
Mount Kasprowy Peak.
The trail to Kasprowy Wierch is well-marked, so no chance you’ll skip the right route. Some of the trails in Tatra Mountain are classified as alpine-type. The higher you go, the more of alpine meadows, rocky ridges, and crystal-clear glacial lakes yu’ll witness. I’ve hiked Kasprowy Wierch number of times in different seasons and getting to the top is actually the beginning of an adventure for me π From Kasprowy Wierch Summit, standing at an elevation of 1,987 meters, you can continue hiking toward Czerwone Wierchy Peak.Β
Hiking Czerwone Wierchy from Kasprowy Peak.
From Kasprowy Wierch take a west direction toward Przelecz pod Kopa Kondracka along the mountain ridge, then further through Kopa Kondracka, Krzesanica and Ciemniak 2096 meters. This rocky ridge is called Czerwone Wierchy (the Red Peaks). This is one of the most magnificent areas in the Tatra Mountains. The trail is quite well-maintained and does not require climbing skills. All the way it is a moderate hiking trail. From Ciemniak you should take a red trail to Kiry (the shortest route leading through a forest). This whole trail took me about 8 hours in total.Β
Is hiking Kasprowy Wierch difficult?
If youβre asking yourself if this trail is right for you, I would have few tips. You need to have a good fitness level to do this trail or loop. This loop does not require technical skills but it will be demanding with few rocky sections. Again there are two things to remember before you go:
- Getting a free map of the Tatra Mountains in the Tourist Information Office. Obtaining information on trail conditions and weather forecasts.
- Obtain a PASS to Tatra National Park (it’s mandatory) β if you want to avoid queues at the entrance buy it online β I recommend 7 day pass for 7 euro.
On the left you see a trail to GIEWONT (view from the way up to Kasprowy Wierch) – a very significant and popular peak in the Tatra Mountains with a cross on the top.
Get inspired by: Check 10 best things to do in Zakopane!
Thermal Springs in Zakopane.
Zakopane Thermal BathsΒ andΒ hot springs is one of the most modern and luxurious waterpark complexes in the whole of Europe.Β Hot springs can be a great therapy for your body to relax and heal afterΒ a long day ofΒ hiking in the mountains. The complex is conveniently located in Zakopane city center, short walk from the station.
These are three amazing tour options, highly recommended on Tripadvisor:
How to get to Zakopane?
There are many ways to get to Zakopane from Cracow, it is an easy and pretty short β 2 hour trip and 5 hours from Warsaw.
The best platform to book train and bus tickets in Poland is Omio.com – with more than 1,000 transportation providers. There are few train operatiors in Poland and somtimes it’s confusing even for me to book tickets on a proper platform.
- The train ride is 2.15 hours and itβs a very comfortable train, highly recommend
- Bus would be the same 2h drive, thereβs plenty of companies to choose from. Buses and trains leave from Cracow Glowny/Main station
- Car β I always use Rentalcars.com – the worldβs largest online car rental service. A drive from Cracow can take 1.5-2 hours, depending on the season. Just bear in mind thereβs winter in Poland with snowfalls π A lot of people do not realize that and it is a completely different drive than in summer conditions.
- Organized tour from Zakopane β although I would recommend staying at least 3 days in Zakopane, exploring Tatra National Park.
Where to stay in Zakopane?
Best for hiking any summit.
There is nothing more important than good hiking shoes! Trust me, I tried many top climbing brands before I found the right hiking shoes. There’s no rule or one brand for everyone. My advice is to try your shoes before hiking Kasprowy Wierch.
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I traveled to Slovakia mainly to climb Gerlach – it was my huge dream for the lst
Full guide on climbing Gerlach – the highest peak in Slovakia – 1-day guided trip.
Climbing Gerlach – Gerlachovsky Stit (2655m) – the highest peak of Tatra Mountains in Slovakia and the
Full guide on hiking Koscielec in Tatra Mountains from Zakopane.
Another year in Tatra Mountains and high time for hiking Koscielec Ridge (2155m) π. It’s a great
Before you go hiking.
- You should always check a weather forecast for Tatra Mountains before leaving for a hike
- Never leave without an insurance! Rescue team is busy every day in Tatra Mountains!!
- Always check if there is an avalanche alert! Avalanches are huge danger in Tatra Mountains
- Note camping is now allowed in Tatra National Park
- Dogs are not allowed in National Park
- Check alert for bears β Iβm not joking. Do not leave any food, this will encourage wild animals. If you see a bear do NOT panic, slowly move in the opposite direction, the bear will not attack you for no reason.
Bucket list for hiking.
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Be prepared for all kinds of weather β just like in all mountains the weather may change rapidly. Always carry an extra jumper and rainproof coat
- Bring crampons in winter
- Bring helmet, ropes if you plan to use trails with security chains β do not underestimate Tatra Mountains!
- Plenty of water β that depends on a season, if the shelters are opened you can always get a hot drink and food there
- Sandwiches/lunch and snacks β dark chocolate, protein bars, nuts
- Paper hiking map or download one online
- Charged phone/power bank.
