The Black Pond
The Black Pond
4.5
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4.5
160 reviews
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27
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4
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Ana_G9700
Madrid, Spain352 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
We left Zakopane on foot to do this route. The views are very beautiful and so is the lake. From Zakopane to the lake there are 10 km and a difference in altitude of about 1000 meters. Next to the lake there is a shelter where they serve food, their apple pie is typical (the service is very slow and there is usually a queue, you should leave with patience or bring a sandwich).
We were surprised by the number of people who were doing the route, sometimes we were in line, so if you don't like crowds it is recommended to start very early (around 6 am).
You see families with children and elderly people taking the excursion because it is accessible and comfortable; However, if you leave from Zakopane, you should keep in mind that the total is 20 km and the entire way is uphill, so the excursion can be somewhat tiring. To access the natural park you must pay an entrance fee of about 2 Euros (we are not used to this in Spain).
We were surprised by the number of people who were doing the route, sometimes we were in line, so if you don't like crowds it is recommended to start very early (around 6 am).
You see families with children and elderly people taking the excursion because it is accessible and comfortable; However, if you leave from Zakopane, you should keep in mind that the total is 20 km and the entire way is uphill, so the excursion can be somewhat tiring. To access the natural park you must pay an entrance fee of about 2 Euros (we are not used to this in Spain).

Written 16 September 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.
sylvie
Europe27 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
We decided to climb there from the bottom of Morskie Oko and the path looks a lot shorter than it really is. We climbed rocks for about an hour and it was very physically challenging. There were a lot of older people and children climbing so it isn't impossible but be prepared to sweat for an hour. At some points you have to climb very narrow and tilted rocks. The lake itself was breathtaking and definitely worth seeing. It was illuminated by the sun a lot more than Morskie Oko and looked out of this world. There are a lot of rocks and grass patches to rest after the climb. Be sure to take water with you because i definitely took too little. You can see Morskie Oko from the top. The climb down was even more difficult because the rocks are pretty tilted so if you have a fear of heights you might be uncomfortable looking down while climbing back. My knees were hurting after balancing for that long. Be careful and prepared.
Written 3 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.
JustDiveIn
Miami, FL1,033 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
This lake can be found above Morskie Oko at an elevation of 1583m (5,193ft). It is accessible via the red trail that starts at the parking lot in Palenica Bialczanska, the cost to park 25zl or you can also take a bus from your hotel to Palenica Bialczanska. Park entrance is 5zl per person. You will need to hike to Morskie Oko, which is 8-9 km, on a paved road with a slight incline and usually takes around 2 hrs. There is also an option to take a horse-drawn carriage to the top for 50zl, during the summer the first carriage is at 730am and the last ride down is at 8 pm. You will need to hike around Morskie Oko, which is about 30 min followed by a 30 min vertical hike up to the pond. It's smaller than Morskie Oko but just as crystal clear, there tend to be fewer tourists here since the climb is a little bit tougher. You can walk around the pond and partially up Rysy to get a nice view from above.
If you found this helpful feel free to hit the Thank button below. Happy Hiking.
If you found this helpful feel free to hit the Thank button below. Happy Hiking.
Written 13 November 2018
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.
Michal M
Warsaw, Warszawa, Poland168 contributions
Nov 2015 • Friends
When you staying in Zakopane plan one day to go to for a walk trip to the famous Valley of 5 Ponds. It is exceptional experience. You have to take one of small buses that leave from the square next to main Railway Station (from 8:20 every 20 mins, 2,5 EUR one way to 'MORSKIE OKO'). You would go the route to Morskie Oko pond - then when you will see Mickiewicz waterfall on the right you need to turn right and start ascending in beautiful Dolina Roztoki Valley. On the road you can see 'Siklawa' waterfall (largest and highest in Poland) to reach the Valley of 5 Ponds. The biggest one is the Black Pond. If you make your way around it you may climb the Szpiglasowy Wierch mountain and enjoy an amazing view!!! Take the route down to Morskie Oko pond where you can stop for a coffee an cake. :) then you will return to bus stop where you arrived.
Note: you have to book at least 8 hours for such trip, so start early in the morning. Take water with you, food, chocolate bars and gloves (useful for chains higher in Szpiglasowy). Check weather forecast before climbing Szpiglasowy. It is a bit demanding route so maybe not suitable for small children.
Note: you have to book at least 8 hours for such trip, so start early in the morning. Take water with you, food, chocolate bars and gloves (useful for chains higher in Szpiglasowy). Check weather forecast before climbing Szpiglasowy. It is a bit demanding route so maybe not suitable for small children.
Written 16 November 2015
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.
DawidK859
Nagoya, Japan614 contributions
Apr 2016
Wonderful lake, with access from Łysa polana and an amzing walk in the spring/summer. The breathtaking views at Morskie Oko Lake, within the Tatra National Park =D
Written 6 April 2016
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.
Karolina L
New York City, NY330 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
Expect a 2.5 hour walk up a slight hill. Although the road is paved, walking up the hill for this long is a bit of a challenge but really worth it. Once you reach "Morskie Oko" I would highly recommend to rest for 5 minutes and continue the walk to "Czarny Staw pod Rysami". For that, it's best to wear hiking shoes although regular sneakers might be ok too (no flip flops).
You begin with a walk around the "Morskie Oko" on a rocky road until you reach a pathway up the mountain. The pathway has steps made out of rocks and it is pretty exhausting to reach the top but again, the view is amazing! That should take you an additional 45 min to an hour. You definitely feel a bit accomplished once you reach the top. It's 1580 m above sea level.
So why did I give it 3 starts? The horses! If you can't handle the hike, don't exploit the horses on behalf of your physical inadequacy. Find something else to do with your time in Zakopane. Many of the horses have died in "Morskie oko" while others are send to slaughterhouse when they can no longer perform. I've seen these horses; exhausted and miserably without any water. If you'd like to see a horse with foam coming out of it's mouth or with a tongue hanging from exhaustion, visit the area. The people paying for this cruelty are truly pathetic. It's the mountains, you're suppose to walk and if you can't handle the walk just don't come here! Visit Gubalowka where you can easily take the cable-cars up the mountain. There are planty of other options out there so don't be a jerk.
You begin with a walk around the "Morskie Oko" on a rocky road until you reach a pathway up the mountain. The pathway has steps made out of rocks and it is pretty exhausting to reach the top but again, the view is amazing! That should take you an additional 45 min to an hour. You definitely feel a bit accomplished once you reach the top. It's 1580 m above sea level.
So why did I give it 3 starts? The horses! If you can't handle the hike, don't exploit the horses on behalf of your physical inadequacy. Find something else to do with your time in Zakopane. Many of the horses have died in "Morskie oko" while others are send to slaughterhouse when they can no longer perform. I've seen these horses; exhausted and miserably without any water. If you'd like to see a horse with foam coming out of it's mouth or with a tongue hanging from exhaustion, visit the area. The people paying for this cruelty are truly pathetic. It's the mountains, you're suppose to walk and if you can't handle the walk just don't come here! Visit Gubalowka where you can easily take the cable-cars up the mountain. There are planty of other options out there so don't be a jerk.
Written 6 August 2015
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.
975Katalin
Varpalota, Hungary47 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
This trip is a fantastic experience, the black pond (Czarny Staw, Fekete tó) is a hidden jewel of the Zakopane region. Besides this is a place which is horribly tough to reach but you do not need mountain climbing experience or an outstanding physical condition. Be careful though, locals say that you should not venture it without boots that protect your ankles, and they are absolutely right although many people do not take this advice. It's a glacier lake above Morskie Oko. If you want to do it and you are not super sportive it is advisable to reach Morskie Oko on the horse carriages offered at Lysa Polana parking lot for 50 zl/person upwards. After you get off the carriage, you walk 1,5 kms on concrete, then reach the lower lake, Morskie Oko which is in itself a beauty. You have a restaurant here so it is comfortable and you can buy water bottles from a vending machine. You might be badly in need of this as our experience was that you need 1 liter per person from here to go up and down the black pond on a hot summer day. The way is quite steep in some places and quite tyring. From Zakopane to the black pond by car, then carriage then on foot to and fro, the whole journey takes around 8-10 hours or more. However it is absolutely worth it !!!!
Written 25 June 2016
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.
xiaoxian
Singapore, Singapore108 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
I went up to this spot after Morskie Oko, and I have to say it was really worth it! The pond was black in color, with beautiful reflections and definitely with less people. You get a view of the black pond, and view of Morskie Oko from above.
In total I spent 7 hours inside the park. The walk into Morskie Oko took 2 hours, and then it took me another 45 mins to go up to this spot. Coming back down, I went through the same way.
The hike is pretty steep, and the rocks can be slippery if your shoes don’t have a good grip. I did mine with a pair of Nike, and I actually fell once despite being very careful. I guess it will be slippery if there is rain so do take note.
I very much preferred this to Morskie Oko as it was quieter with much less tourists. Strongly recommend this!
In total I spent 7 hours inside the park. The walk into Morskie Oko took 2 hours, and then it took me another 45 mins to go up to this spot. Coming back down, I went through the same way.
The hike is pretty steep, and the rocks can be slippery if your shoes don’t have a good grip. I did mine with a pair of Nike, and I actually fell once despite being very careful. I guess it will be slippery if there is rain so do take note.
I very much preferred this to Morskie Oko as it was quieter with much less tourists. Strongly recommend this!
Written 23 August 2018
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.
Manvsfoodie
Cheshire, UK109 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
If your up for a more challenging view than morskie oko head here !!
Route is a calf burner an steep with lose gravel so best take boots
View from the the top is perfection !! Over looking morskie oko, lake water is freezing Galcia style so best avoid going for a dip lol but it’s perfectly clear an take some bread for the mountain birds as they are very friendly an come right up close
You will be happy you went !!
Route is a calf burner an steep with lose gravel so best take boots
View from the the top is perfection !! Over looking morskie oko, lake water is freezing Galcia style so best avoid going for a dip lol but it’s perfectly clear an take some bread for the mountain birds as they are very friendly an come right up close
You will be happy you went !!
Written 3 October 2017
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.
erzs_betp
Szeged, Hungary27 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
When we went to the Morskie Oko it was really crowded so we decided to visit the Black pond near to it. The walk up to the Black pond was hard (steep walk). Hear was less people and when we walk around the lake even less people was there. The view is incredible.
Written 10 August 2018
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.
We are traveling to this area in two weeks and have no knowledge of the area. We are avid hikers. We'd love any tips on hikes, accommodations in the area or any other adventures!
Thanks!
Written 23 August 2018
"Trails for avid hikers" may mean very different things for different people, what is your definition? What length / height gain in a day? Are you going only on easy trails, or are trails with scrambling sections also fine?
Written 30 August 2018
На территорию парка на велосипеде, можно проехать или только пешком?
Written 21 March 2016
Мы были там зимой, на велосипеде никого соответственно не было, но ограничений на велосипеды нет. Нельзя на машинах проехать. И как я знаю в другое время года много велотуристов в тех местах. Так что если чувствуете в себе силы - в путь.
Written 22 March 2016
Hi, wondering how to get to the start of the trail from Zakopane? Is there buses?
Written 2 August 2015
Hi
yes you can buses from Zakopane bus station, which is near the train station. The buses are mini buses but run on a regular basis. the one you need to look for is the one that will take you to the main car park for Morski Oko, the trip will take about 30 mins and winding mountain roads but the views are great.
Written 2 August 2015
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