Valley of Five Ponds

A High-Alpine Sanctuary

The Valley of Five Polish Ponds (Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich) is often described as the most beautiful high-alpine valley in Central Europe. Accessible only by foot, this glacial sanctuary remains untouched by massive infrastructure, offering a raw and majestic mountain experience. Here, granite peaks over 2,000 meters high reflect in the crystalline waters of the glacial lakes.

The Five Lakes

The largest, *Wielki Staw*, is the deepest and second largest lake in the entire Tatras. For the adventurous, the *Zadni Staw* (Rear Pond) is the highest lake in Poland, often remaining frozen until late summer.

The Journey: Roztoka Valley Approach

The hike itself is as spectacular as the destination. Starting from Palenica Białczańska (the same parking lot used for Morskie Oko), you will branch right after the Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza waterfalls into the **Dolina Roztoki** (Roztoka Valley). Following the green trail, you will walk up a dramatic, pristine valley carved by ancient glaciers. It is a steady, demanding climb through dense spruce forests that slowly thin out into dwarf mountain pine (kosodrzewina) as you gain altitude.

This valley is notoriously wild. Because it is less crowded than the paved road to Morskie Oko, it remains a prime habitat for the **Eurasian Brown Bear**. It is very common to see overturned rocks or scratched trees along the Roztoka river where bears have been foraging for insects and berries in the early morning.

Wielka Siklawa: Might of the Water

As you near the end of the Roztoka Valley, you must make a choice: take the steep black trail directly to the shelter, or continue on the green trail. We highly recommend the green trail because it leads you directly to the base of **Wielka Siklawa**. Dropping 70 meters (230 feet) over a massive, sheer granite ledge, it is the largest and most powerful waterfall in Poland.

In early summer, when the deep snows of the High Tatras are melting, the sheer volume of water thundering over the cliff is deafening. The spray creates permanent rainbows on sunny days. You will climb up the rock slabs right next to the waterfall—a breathless, incredible experience that brings you right over the lip of the valley.

The Highest Shelter in Poland

Perched precariously over the edge of the Przedni Staw (Front Pond) sits the **PTTK Shelter in the Valley of Five Polish Ponds**. At 1,671 meters above sea level, it is the highest mountain hut in the country. Remarkably, there is no road leading here. Every piece of stone, every log of wood, and every bag of flour used to bake their famous apple pie must be brought up by a tractor-pulled pulley system or carried by hand.

The current stone building is actually the fifth shelter built in this valley, constructed in 1948 after previous wooden structures were destroyed by avalanches or burned down during World War II.

Local Secret: The Sixth Pond?

Despite the famous historical name, there is actually a sixth tiny seasonal lake called **Wole Oko** (The Ox's Eye) tucked away towards the Zawrat pass. It is much smaller than the others and can completely dry out and disappear in hot summers, which is why the original highlander name "Valley of Five Ponds" stuck through the centuries.