A borderless and singular adventure in Poland and Slovakia
For anyone looking to go beyond the usual hotspots to unlock a wilder side of Europe, here’s a journey worth your attention: a two-countries-in-one hike straddling Poland and Slovakia among the Tatra Mountains. If you want a rugged, untamed alternative to the usual tourist circuit, where the journey itself is the highlight, these mountains are for you.
Two countries, one trail
One of the great benefits of European travel is seamless border crossing. In the Tatra Mountains, this wonderful concept is taken to a new level. The path itself is the border. Hop a foot south and you’re in Slovakia. A skip north and you stand on Polish soil. Besides the path, there are other giveaways about which side you’re on. In Poland, the mountains are steeper and wider. You have iconic climbs like Rysy (which is reachable from both countries and lies on the border). Making this trek is worth your while as it gives you access to stunning views of Morskie Oko, a sprawling glacial lake that reflects the peaks above. On the Slovak side, which happens to have 75% of the range, there are lush valleys and expansive alpine lakes such as the shimmering Zelene Pleso. On both sides lie incredible national parks that protect these lands for the future: Tatrzanski National Park in Poland and National Park of Tatras in Slovakia.
Stay in charming mountain cottages
Let’s be real, even the most serious hikers among you still like a bit of comfort, especially on vacation. Luckily, the Tatras offer the perfect balance. The region’s mountain huts, accessible only on foot, offer a respite from the outdoors in the form of hearty meals and warm beds. Chata Pod Rysmi is an excellent example. When you reach it, you’ll find steaming bowls of goulash, walls covered in notes from past hikers, and perhaps best of all, a toilet with a panoramic view of the valley below.
Explore nature without the crowds
All you have to do to find peace and tranquility in this region is go slightly farther than the big towns, a bit deeper in the vast mountain range. There you’ll find pure wilderness and solitude. The crowds will disappear. Instead, all you’ll hear is the sound of rocks crunching beneath your boots and the occasional call of the chamois navigating its cliffside home. Hiking these mountains means doing Europe differently. People come here to experience something deeper, slower, more profound. In this remarkable terrain between two incredible countries, you’ll receive an unexpected upgrade to your European trip.
