I Climbed the Tatra Mountains and Here’s How You Can Do It (Step-by-Step Guide)

With its highest point, Rysy (2,499 m), located on the Polish–Slovak border, the Tatra Mountains are the highest in Poland and the only ones with an Alpine character in the country, where most of its land consists of fields.

The Tatra Mountains are the ideal destination hiking geeks, with dozens of arduous trails. But for first-time hikers like me, the journey isn’t always easy. Here’s the story of my climb, what I learned along the way, and why it was absolutely worth doing again.

When many people think of Poland, the envisage the vibrant cities, the complex and detailed history, the tasty cuisine, but perhaps they don’t consider the natural beauty. While this doesn’t apply to everyone, this was certainly the case for us, and many people we spoke to regarding Poland before visiting. Tucked away along the southern border of Poland is a true ‘hidden gem’ of the country.. Zakopane!