Lake Morskie Oko
Lake Morskie Oko
4.5
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- KTP310Reading, United Kingdom1,218 contributionsBeautiful lake and a long walk through stunning sceneryFrom Zakopane bus station you can catch a minibus for the 30 minute drive to Morskie Oko for 15 zloty (cash) each way. It’s then 10 zloty to enter the park. At this point you have the choice between a 3 hour uphill walk on tarmac, or a horse and cart ride, for 100 zloty per person (cash only), which takes about an hour, and leaves you with the last 20 minutes to walk to the lake. This is a very popular area and there were lots of people both walking up and taking the cart. The lake was busy but is very beautiful and it’s worth walking at least part of the way around the lake to get away from the crowds. There’s a restaurant/toilets at the lake, and another one near the horse and cart drop off point. Having caught a ride up, I decided to walk down through the beautiful scenery, which took about 2 hours. It was then easy to catch a bus back to Zakopane. A really enjoyable day in the stunning Tatra mountains.Visited April 2024Travelled soloWritten 13 April 2024
- Marta J36 contributionsAmazing place but BAN THE HORSES.Allow around 2 hours each way for to get to the lake. Its a gradual incline on the way there with plenty of seating opportunities along the way and loos. It's cold once you get to the lake so keep that in mind. Absolutely stunning and well worth the hike! DO NOT USE THE HORSES. The horses are overworked and used in extreme heat ( it gets over 30 degrees in poland in the summer and carts have too many people in them) There have been instances of horses collapsing and dying. If kids can walk up and down the mountain so can you ! Stop this pointless mistreatment of animals to make money until their wellbeing improves!Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 19 May 2024
- Chloe R1 contributionAmazing scenery, DONT USE HORSES.Beautiful place, the mountains are amazing. However, it’s horrible seeing people still exploiting animals in 2024. Don’t use the horse carriages. If you want to go out in nature and parks, expect to walk or don’t go instead of exploiting animals. I saw people young and old walking, no need at all. Would highly recommend the lakes valley walk also, it’s long but beautiful.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 31 May 2024
- 545naomivAdelaide Hills, Australia39 contributionsAn amazing experienceThe walk from the parking lot is 2 hrs one way which many have critized for being boring. It may be a wide paved road, but this allows you to really appreciate the amazing beauty of the Tatras without having to constantly watch your footing as you do on forest hikes. Loved it! It takes a good hour to walk around the lake and it is a min 1hr return to go up to Czarny staw (the ascent starts about 1/2 way around the lake.) This is a steep ascent though the stones are quite good so it isn't too much of a scramble. So amazing up there and worth it! Buses leave from Zakapone regularly (bay 1 at the main station) and take about 45mins, so you really need to leave early if you want to spend quality time truly appreciate the stunning beauty of Morskie Oko. There are portable toilets located along the route too, which is handy, though, if you decide to go later in the day on your way down, you will most likely find all the toilet paper gone so bringing some with you is a good idea.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 14 June 2024
- 4infamily15 contributionsHidden gem in Poland/SlovakiaWhat a beautiful park!! We spent the night in Zakopane, Poland and drove to the trailhead of Morskie Oko early the next morning. We purchased our parking ticket and entry passes to the park ahead of time. This is recommended for the busy summer season as the large parking lot will fill up. The hike to the lake is listed as an easy hike, but I would say it’s an advanced beginner hike if you hike to the lake, then around the lake before descending back to the parking lot. The views are beautiful! Pack snacks and water👍 Unlike American parks, there are NO garbage cans🤷♀️It’s a carry in, carry out your own garbage and the park was very clean😊 It was fun to discover a destination with virtually no other Americans around…primarily Polish families enjoying a weekend holiday, FYI…explore options into the park from Slovakia. The park is quieter and just as beautiful from there.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 June 2024
- ElineRiga, Latvia18 contributionsA walk with beautiful viewsFantastic place. You can choose longest distance or shorter. Before hiking start near lake is restaurant and buffet, at the end of hiking is place to rest and eat too. Distance and hiking there is easy and enjoyable. Great place to rest from city life.Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 July 2024
- Anna J1 contributionPlease don't use the horses!Such a fantastic day. The views on the walk up to the lake are absolutely unrivalled, it's so lush and the mountains are breathtaking. The lake is absolutely worth the walk as well! The only downside is the use of horses to take people up and down, the poor animals just go back and forth all day in the heat. Please please do not support this business, we're better than this in 2024 :(Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 1 August 2024
- BeatriceOxford, United Kingdom12 contributionsNice but super crowded and take cash with youIt is a nice lake in the mountains but in August there were so many people it took away the pleasure. It is not well signed and we ended up walking 5 hours (there and back) thinking it is only a couple of hours excursion. This is how long it takes to get there and back, small shortcuts cuts down to maybe 4.5 hours. Take cash with you. The restaurant at the top only takes cash and if you want to take the carriage pulled by horses you also need to pay in cash (60 pln per person one way). It is also good to book in advance a car parking near the entrance to the park. We boked only a day before togather with the tickets and it was fine.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 August 2024
- Kristīne S23 contributionsStart earlyThere are a lot of buses that can take you to the trail start, but if you want it to be with less people, you have to star realy early or later in the evening. We started at 12:00. Its a long walk on asfalt, 8km both ways, for us it took about 4h to go up and down. A bit tyring till you reach the lake, there were so many people, but it was worth it. You can go around the lake and find a better spot for taking pictures or eating lunch with less people, it was so beautiful.Visited August 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 24 August 2024
- sylvieEurope27 contributionsBreathtaking!Breathing view. We hiked for about 2 hours to get there but it wasn't difficult. At this time of year there weren't that many people there and we were able to sit alone and admire the lake. The water was crystal clear and we saw a lot of fish. The atmosphere was amazing and we went around the whole lake in about an hour. The whole path around the lake is made out of big rocks and in some places we were able to stand on the rocks in the water and get beautiful pictures. I would recommend going there 100%.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 3 September 2024
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4.5
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Maria S
12 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
The view of the lake and mountains is amazing! It is a very crowded walk, partly due to its accessability: the road is paved asphalt so you can also reach the lake with a stroller or wheelchair. There are toilets along the way, and also cafes when you reach the lake. Roundtrip is 15 km and took us about 4 hrs at a very leisurely pace. PS! There is plenty of parking, but parking in the closest parking places must be bought online before you arrive - no possibility of paying on site! We didn’t know this, and were told to return to parking places much further away (several parking places where you can pay on site 3+ km away from the entrance to the park). This will either add significantly to the total length of your hike, or you will have to spend money on cab fare to and from the park entrance and the parking place. Parking 35 zl + minibus/cab fare 30 zl per person (in total for roundtrip) added significantly to our expenses as a family of 4.
Written 16 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachael P
127 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
The hike to Morskie Oko us hardly a hike as the "trail" is an incredibly smooth paved road. It is like 8 km and took about an hour an a half to do. It's a gorgeous lake, especially later in the day and season when it's not crowded. There are ample portapoties iron the road but no soap or means to wash your hands.
Getting to the trail head requires you get into a privately run bus for 15 Zl per person (CASH). There is a horse drank carriage ride down which is 60 per person (CASH). And again, you have to pay for the shuttle back to Zackopane once you're done.
It gets dark quickly, and you can hear bears at night.
Getting to the trail head requires you get into a privately run bus for 15 Zl per person (CASH). There is a horse drank carriage ride down which is 60 per person (CASH). And again, you have to pay for the shuttle back to Zackopane once you're done.
It gets dark quickly, and you can hear bears at night.
Written 28 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann
Beersheba, Israel164 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
We were going to go horseback riding to the lake because for us, that long footpath was beyond our means. But that wasn't it. When we got to the start of the route, we saw to our horror that the horse-drawn carriages were not in place. Turns out the road is under repair. We decided to test our strength and started climbing the slide. At first it was tolerable, but then it rained heavily and never stopped. All the places to take a break were wet. Then we came across a roadblock and were told to follow part of the road through the woods. As we hesitated, they removed the barriers and let us through. On the way, we saw a little meltdown on the road. After two and a half hours and getting very wet, we saw a sign that we were 1h.30 away. After gathering our last strength, we moved on, but after 40 minutes of fast walking, we saw another sign with 1h25 to go. That's when we knew it was time to go back. There was no energy left. Interestingly, we haven't seen any information about road repairs online.
Automatically translated
Written 12 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
veryG
Umbria, Italy64 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The most total disappointment.
If you want to throw 100 euros in the garbage, first open your wallet and take it out, but don't waste time on this experience.
The general feeling is that of being fleeced from start to finish. A day to see this alpine lake which has nothing to envy of those in Trentino but with a very complicated process and at absurd prices. First of all you have to leave your car in a car park, obviously for a fee. Then you have to take a minibus taxi which at a cost of 5 euros each will take you to the park entrance. And be careful here, you have to pay for the park. Very good, I expect to enter a beautiful path that goes to the lake, but instead it is a horrible asphalt road all uphill. There is only one refreshment point towards the end, no possibility of taking the paths into the woods. Just one or two detours to other destinations. Trekking seems like a pilgrimage and is done by anyone as if it were a walk.
In the end the lake is small, there is a refuge but it is packed with people.
You can take some kind of horse carriages that take you and bring you back obviously at crazy prices.
Line up everywhere.
Wasting a day walking on asphalt is not worth it. I'm sorry that this place which has nothing exceptional is being exploited like this.
If you want to throw 100 euros in the garbage, first open your wallet and take it out, but don't waste time on this experience.
The general feeling is that of being fleeced from start to finish. A day to see this alpine lake which has nothing to envy of those in Trentino but with a very complicated process and at absurd prices. First of all you have to leave your car in a car park, obviously for a fee. Then you have to take a minibus taxi which at a cost of 5 euros each will take you to the park entrance. And be careful here, you have to pay for the park. Very good, I expect to enter a beautiful path that goes to the lake, but instead it is a horrible asphalt road all uphill. There is only one refreshment point towards the end, no possibility of taking the paths into the woods. Just one or two detours to other destinations. Trekking seems like a pilgrimage and is done by anyone as if it were a walk.
In the end the lake is small, there is a refuge but it is packed with people.
You can take some kind of horse carriages that take you and bring you back obviously at crazy prices.
Line up everywhere.
Wasting a day walking on asphalt is not worth it. I'm sorry that this place which has nothing exceptional is being exploited like this.

Written 8 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrMarek
1,295 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
I liked the view of the lake with the surrounding mountains that reflect I the water. The problem is, the expectations I built up from reading articles & reviews from bloggers were so great, the lake left me with a..."oh, that's it" kind of impression. I've various other mountain lakes in Iceland and Romania that I was more impressed with. If you're in Zakopane, I would suggest leaving very early...this area is jammed with visitors! The walk up took us about 2 hours 20 min and you have the option of taking the horse carriage (100 zl up and I think 60 zl down) to save you the walking. The walk is is basically looking at the same scenery for 2 hours, which is fine if you like monotony. We had a picnic by the lake and decided not to visit the smaller lake.
Written 2 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tomema
San Cristobal de La Laguna, Spain28 contributions
Sept 2024 • Friends
We started the road to Morskie Oko with great enthusiasm. At the hour of the road (easy, by asphalt road) the road was cut by works. We are diverted by a much more complicated path and after two hours we had to desist. The road became increasingly difficult and complicated for us. I do not dispute that improvement works have to be done... but that information must be given when buying the ticket. From being an easy route and for all kinds of people, it becomes much more difficult and unexpected. There were elderly people and families with children who turned around without being able to finish or see the lake. It is simply necessary to give information to visitors, the situation of the road and everyone who makes the decision they want.
Automatically translated
Written 17 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JodyO815
Frankfort, Illinois79 contributions
Sept 2024 • Friends
I thought I knew all I needed for a hike to Morskie Oko….not quite! Yes the road is paved and even, so that is a benefit, but I don’t recall anyone saying that the paved road was an iNCLINE for a several hour walk! (I have a fused ankle, so that made the walk more challenging) The nature and scenery is absolutely beautiful! And the view of Morskie Oko after a 2 hour walk is stunning! You have to have ZLOTY if you want to eat, drink, or buy anything when you arrive at Morskie Oko (we forgot!) They do not take cards, and want zloty for the rest room. It started to rain 1/2 way towards Morskie Oko and the entire way back. Bring rain gear just incase! The hike is well worth it, but be prepared!!!
Written 16 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martha-Despoina S
2 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Do not take the horse riding !!! Terrible people handling the horses poorly.No system on when the carriages leave … we had to wait 1 h cause our guide seemed to be cherry picking who to add on his carriage ( avoiding people from Indian origin , Muslim etc) . Would not recommend,ticket is also very pricy 150 pln round trip.
Polish guide was also smoking like a chimney , and we had pregnant people and kids in our carriage..
Polish guide was also smoking like a chimney , and we had pregnant people and kids in our carriage..
Written 27 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mario T
4 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
The sea eye lake, Morskie Oko is worth a hike. However, if 75 zlotys is charged for parking near the entrance to the nature park for a parking space on the side of the road, this is already a problem. Entrance to the park and virtually to the hiking trail at 10 zlotys is fine. Unfortunately, on the way up there are max 4 points with the so-called Dixies where man and woman can sometimes pee. Unfortunately, the things are fully in the sun and are partly brimming with faeces. It should be clear to the operators that children have to eat ice cream or the portion of fries with their hands afterwards. The whole thing stinks to heaven and ruins your good mood.
Automatically translated
Written 25 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norah
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
If you cannot walk the trail for 2-3hours then don’t go.
Don’t be one of those people using the horses carriage. Those horses are pulling a 500kg carriage without anyone in there, they are overworked and some of those horses have collapsed on the road.
Either you prepare yourself to have a full day of walking like we used to back in the days when we weren’t so depending to cars and public transport or just organise something else.
It’s a very popular destination amongst tourist and locals as this is a lake you can reach « easily » with the pavement.
I suggest you wonder around on the way up, there are trails that follow along the road.
Don’t forget to have cash on you.
If you want something more interesting a suggest you to do the trail for the 5 lakes, the nature is incredible. Challenging at times but worth it! I finished the 5 lakes trail by walking down the pavement road.
Don’t be one of those people using the horses carriage. Those horses are pulling a 500kg carriage without anyone in there, they are overworked and some of those horses have collapsed on the road.
Either you prepare yourself to have a full day of walking like we used to back in the days when we weren’t so depending to cars and public transport or just organise something else.
It’s a very popular destination amongst tourist and locals as this is a lake you can reach « easily » with the pavement.
I suggest you wonder around on the way up, there are trails that follow along the road.
Don’t forget to have cash on you.
If you want something more interesting a suggest you to do the trail for the 5 lakes, the nature is incredible. Challenging at times but worth it! I finished the 5 lakes trail by walking down the pavement road.
Written 1 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi! Does anyone know if the horse carriages (that make the trip from the car park to Morskie Oko) stop in Polana przy Wodogrzmotach Mickiewicza, close to Schronisko PTTK w Dolinie Roztoki?
I read somewhere that they intended to change the carriages for hybrid horse carts to improve animal welfare. Was this put to practice?
Thank you
Written 10 January 2024
I saw big crowds of people visiting Morskie Oko every day. We were thinking about starting our hike in the night to be able be there in early morning hours around 6AM to avoid those crowds. Is it possible or does have TPN some opening hours?
Written 17 May 2023
Hi, we want to go to lake morskie between 23th and 28th of June 2021. Is it open? Do I understand correctly that you can park and walk to the lake (8km). Is that a nice walk?
And is there any way to go back to the parked car by transport, as we cannot walk 16 km on 1 day. Please respond
Mona
Written 13 June 2021
Наталья
Bratislava, Slovakia
Добрый вечер, работает ли зимой Морское око, и на следующее воскресенье будет работать?
Written 9 February 2020
Buongiorno vorrei visitare il lago il 20 novembre, ma in questo periodo c'è la neve? Grazie
Written 12 November 2019
Hi, I wish to book a horse carriage for 6 people in July. Can you please suggest from where I can book?
Written 11 November 2019
No need to book in advance. The horse carriages depart continuously from their starting point, the main parking lot. One horse carriage can take up to 12 people, if I remember correctly.
Written 22 November 2019
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