The Tatras are the highest mountain range in the Carpathian Mountains, with the highest point scraping the sky at 2499 metres. Rugged and truly alpine in character with a mass of picturesque valleys, man-made clearings, pastures, caves, lakes, peaks and mountain passes, the Tatras cover the area of roughly 180 square kilometres on the Polish side. The most characteristic feature of the Tatra landscape is the vertical zonation of vegetation types.
Hiking trails
The choice of hiking trails is remarkable: from easier short walks along the valleys and foothills, to highly challenging trails in the high mountains. In Poland there is the practice of marking paths by means of coloured bars with different meanings attached to different colours:
- blue – signifies long-distance trails;
- red – used for main and most characteristic trails
- black – indicates short trails, usually the final stage of the trail
- green – directs to particular places
- yellow – marks connecting trails.
Weather
Nowhere the weather is more changeable than in the Tatra mountains. The local forecast may provide you with more details, yet you should check it on the evening before the trip and double check the next morning. Any amount of precipitation or storm may prove dangerous, especially in the higher parts.
In summer, the temperatures can go up to 35 °C, but may as well be 15 °C on a rainy day. Due to inversion, they change with elevation. In winter, expect temperatures around the freezing point and well below.
Equipment
The best advice for any season is to dress in layers to be able to adapt when weather is changing or when you visit higher areas. You might also need a rain coat, sun glasses, suntan lotion, a flashlight, a pocketknife, a map and the first aid kit. A scarf and gloves are convenient in winter, and so are a climbing spur, an ice axe , an avalanche transceiver and a shovel.
Mountain hazards
Beautiful as they are, the Tatras are also dangerous. The hazards may occur due to the poor weather and avalanche, or may be caused by an individual and include the lack of preparation, carelessness, improper diet or equipment misuse. Occasionally, you might also encounter bear, wolves, lynxes and other wildcats, which are native to this region.
Hiking in Poland
