Morskie Oko Hike in Winter – A Magical Escape from Zakopane

​If there’s one place that captures the raw beauty of winter in Poland, it’s Morskie Oko Lake in the Tatra Mountains. Just a short drive from Zakopane, this iconic destination turns into a magical wonderland when blanketed in snow. Whether you call it a hike to Morskie Oko or a gentle winter trek, the journey is as captivating as the destination — frozen waterfalls, pine forests, horse-drawn sleighs, and a postcard-perfect alpine lake waiting at the end.

Poland’s stunning outdoors encompasses the best of Tatra National Park, which needs special mention here.

Morskie Oko Lake, hidden in the vast Tatry Mountains, is a veiled beauty that fewer people know of. Located in the Rybi Potok Valley about 25 km from Zakopane city, Morskie Oko Lake Trek is the quintessential adventure in the Polish Mountains. Soon after you reach here, you would reckon that this place justifies all the hype around it.

Yes, Morskie Oko is adorned with stunning views of the green mountains, snow-swept outdoors, and some centuries-old mountain cottages (Poland is known for its age-old structures) buried under tons of snow, peeping from a quaint corner and smiling at every passerby. Presenting you with the details of the gorgeous day trek – a prominent thing to do in Zakopane!

About Morskie Oko Lake

A major highlight in the South Poland, Morskie Oko is the largest and 4th deepest lake in the Tatra Mountains, which is a result of the melting of the glacier. It is spread over 35 hectares and is almost 51 meters deep. The emerald color lake turns into a bewitching beauty in summer when it is all enveloped by the green mountains & pine. At an elevation of 1400 meters above sea level, Morskie Oko, surrounded by mountains on all sides, paints the picture of a crater and hence is popularly referred to as the Eye of the Sea.

The lake is home to some of the exotic fish varieties like Brook trout & Brown trout, which can be spotted when you are by the lakeside during summer.

Best time to reach Morskie Oko Lake

Priorities! We would say the entire year is ideal to visit Morskie Oko. If you want to catch the stunning beauty of this place, all shrouded under a massive sheet of ice, winter is the perfect time to get there. The entire surroundings look like a dreamy setup.

With snow everywhere and the temperature dropping down to as low as -10 to -20 degrees, this could be the ultimate challenge you can push yourself for.

On the contrary, if you want to make it a soothing experience & catch the beauty of pristine emerald water while sipping on the crisp mountain air accompanied by mild sun rays, then summer is the time to be there.

How to reach Morskie Oko from Zakopane?

Kraków-Zakopane buses operate from here every 5-10 minutes. A bus ride takes about 2.5 hours. The city bus stop to Palenica Białczańska is about 25 km away. It can be easily reached by car or minibus.

The last 8 km from Palenica Białczańska to Morskie Oko Lake must be covered on foot or by horse-drawn carriages (sleighs in winter).

Expert advice: Finding a parking space in Polana Palenica Białczańska is a real deal because of the traffic jam on the access road, which could be as long as one kilometre. For the best experience, take a private bus ride from the Zakopane Centre/train station.

Charges: We paid 10 zł during the winter season, not sure if it’s the same during the summer

Last bus timings: 3:30 pm (winter)

Morskie Oko Hike Map

What Makes the Morskie Oko Hike Special in Winter?

Trek entry fee: 5 Zloty for adults, 2.5 Zloty for students
Trek length: 8 km (one side)
Time taken: 2.5 hours (up), 2 hours (down)

How many of you know what a winter wonderland looks like? I confirm to have walked in a similar outdoor with everything around covered in fudgy white, snowflakes cascading from the towering pines, as we completed the 20 km Morskie Oko Lake hike in the Tatras.

Unlike the Himalayan trails that are treacherous, unpredictable, and quite daunting, this trek, for most of its stretch, has a broad trail which easily leads trekkers to the final destination. The path is wide enough for a horse-driven sleigh to run with ease. And the views around would send across a sense of accomplishment about the journey taken!

The early morning of 29 December 2017 showed us a glimpse of the wonderful day that it was turning out to be. Our adorable hosts at Ulisa offered us a ride and ensured that we made it comfortably to the bus stop in Chramcowki. At the bus stop, they keep shouting Morskie Oko, hence spotting the right bus shouldn’t be a problem at all.

We were bound for Roztoka Valley in the Tatra Mountains, where Morskie Oko Lake is. A scenic trail into the national park region takes the travellers to this hidden wonder. This is an easy trek which can be covered in 5 hours perfectly (both sides), unless you plan to stay at the lake overnight or more.

The trail has a handful of eateries and cafes that help travellers rejuvenate. There are even shorter routes into the dense forest, deviating from the main trail. They look spectacular, but chances are that you might encounter some wildlife! Of course, accidentally.

We took a detour (there was no danger signboard), and the views were more than what we could have probably asked for.

Almost 1 hour into the way, there lies Mickiewicz’s Water Streams (Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza), which makes for another vantage point on the trek route. The 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks and the alpine around look nothing less than a healer. The stream’s refreshing sound can be heard from a distance. It is from here that a green trail goes to the picturesque hostel in the Roztoka Valley that stands on the banks of Morskie Oko.

As soon as you reach the Morskie Oko Lake, you will spot Hostel PTTK Morskie Oko Mountain Hut – the hostel, which happens to be an old shelter building for every traveller taking this trek. This wooden cabin has been standing here since 1891 and is believed to be the oldest mountain shelter in the Tatras.

And in front of the cottage lay Morskie Oko – the sea of white that dramatically changes its colour to emerald blue in summer. But this one was grand, glorious, and spellbinding. The eye-shaped lake lies there like a baby in a cradle, nestled amidst gigantic mountains decorated with pine. And the views in the offering are heavenly.

In winter, the lake is frozen turf almost the size of a football field. While the visibility of the turquoise waters of Morskie Oko reaches up to 12 meters during summer!

And here’s another one…

Don’t miss the sight of frozen streams and mini-waterfalls en route, they make for the perfect backdrop to click some amazing pictures.

Stays at Morskie Oko Lake

Travellers from across the world come to Morskie Oko to trek and camp. While reaching here is not difficult, campers have to be mindful of the surroundings. Predators walking in the national park area and avalanche situations in winter are highly probable. Morskie Oko is a level 3 avalanche zone, which means that while camping here in winter, you must be aware of the weather forecast.

Talking about the lone cottage by the lake – Hostel PTTK Morskie Oko Mountain Hut, you can book a stay here in advance. The cottage currently has 77 beds altogether for up to 16 people. The hostel offers a wide range of refreshing food and beverages for the travellers. If you are planning to go for the Morskie Oko Lake Trek in summer, the accommodation must be booked in advance; people book a stay here as much as 1 year in advance. Seriously!! For bookings & further details, visit the website of Hostel PTTK Morskie Oko. This could be the dreamiest stay you’ve ever had!

Tips for a Safe Winter Hike to Morskie Oko

• Be well clothed when trekking to this place in winter. Locals are used to the conditions, but if you are new to the Tatras, don’t underestimate the climate.
• Carry proper trekking equipment like spike shoes and trekking poles (for winter trek). It will help you walk comfortably without hurting your bum. It hurts when you fall flat on your back 🙁
• Don’t start the trek until you are completely assured of the climate.
• Try to walk on the fresh snow, it makes walking easy.

• Make way for the horse sleigh. They are fast, and if you are not paying attention, they’ll probably run over you.
• Carry juice, water and munchies to keep you going during the hike.
• Make 3:30 pm your deadline to get back to the city (for winter), it gets dark after that, and you won’t have too many options to commute.

If you’re dreaming of snow-covered trails, cinematic landscapes, and that perfect mix of peace and thrill, the Morskie Oko hike in winter delivers it all. This is one of Poland’s most visited natural wonders for a reason, and experiencing it in the off-season is something truly special.

Want to see it for yourself? Book a private Zakopane day tour with me and let’s explore Poland’s Tatra region the right way — with stories, hidden spots, and all the insider tips you won’t find in guidebooks. Whether you’re chasing winter adventures or just want to witness the beauty of Morskie Oko Lake, I’ve got your back.
👉 Contact me to plan your unforgettable Poland winter trip!