Start: Wierch Poroniec, 30 mins by road from Zakopane
End: Same as start
Time: 2 hours out and back
Distance: 6.4 km both ways
When to go: Year round
Nearest airport: Krakow
Highlights
Rusinowa Polana is a beautiful picnic meadow from where you can see the High Tatras range, the highest of the famous Carpathian Mountains. The meadow is surrounded by majestic mountains and offers stunning views of the Tatra range. The area is adorned with colorful wildflowers during spring and lush greenery, making it a perfect spot for nature lovers. If you are lucky you will also be able to see sheep gazing in the meadow, it makes for a beautiful picture. We were lucky to catch the sheeps grazing with mountains in the background, it looks like a postcard. You can also try fresh oscypek cheese (smoked cheese made out of sheep’s milk), a local specialty from a small store at the meadow. If you have time you can continue to Gesia Szyja for even spectacular views of the range.
Difficulty
Hike to Rusinowa Polana is suitable for all ages and ability. It’s a short and easy hike with very little elevation. The way to Gesia Szyja from Rusinowa Polana is difficult, its a 45 mins uphill climb on well paved stairs.
Families
Definitely something kids of all ages can do. Short and easy enough to carry a toddler in a backpack. We did it with a 2yr old who was able to walk part of the trail chasing colorful flowers and butterflies. She was overjoyed seeing the sheep. Kids and adults will love to see sheep grazing in the meadow. Probably skip the climb to Gesia Szyja.
Getting there
Rusinowa Polana serves as a starting point for various hiking trails in the Tatra National Park. There are couple of ways to reach Rusinowa Polana but the easiest is to start from Wierch Poroniec.
You can get to Wierch Poroniec by taxi or shared bus from Zakopane. If you are driving, there is small parking lot at the trail head. From there the trail is well marked. It can very crowded on weekends and holidays so plan accordingly. From the meadow there is a trail to Gesia Szyja which is a steep ascent. It is a rocky peak 1489 meters high and can take about 50 minutes climb. From Gesia Szyja you can continue to Hala Gąsienicowa and beyond into Tatras National Park without returning to the starting point at Wierch Poroniec.
On the way back, it is difficult to get a taxi from Wierch Poroniec but the shared bus/taxi stop is right near the trail head on the opposite side of the road and a van comes by every 15-20mins. The shared buses/taxies are frequent, efficient and cheap.
Nearby Activities
- Hala Gąsienicowa – Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy
- Kościeliska Valley
- Morskie Oko Lake
- Zakopane town