Tatry Mountains

Watch out there!

I know that at first it seems irrelevant, but after you move in to Poland you’ll learn that the difference is crucial.

It is essential to know when you’re heading for Tatra and when you’re heading for Tatry. I know, this can be confusing as you won’t find Tatry in English dictionary, and Tatra will only mean the mountain range in the South of Poland and North of Slovakia.

This isn’t particularly correct the moment you’ll settle in Poland. Then you will quickly understand that Tatra is a popular Polish brand of pilsner beer, and to be honest it is considered to be quite a cheap one. So if you say you’re heading for Tatra it is very likely that everyone who hears it will picture you walking down to the convenience store Żabka and buying a whole box of characteristic yellow cans.

But when you say: I’m heading for Tatry then… I wanna go with you!

Tatry are my favourite mountain range in the world, especially for the summer hiking. They are not dizzying tall compared with Alps, Andes, Himalayas or Caucasus, but they have some of the undeniable charm and it is easy to fall in love with them, and they are a perfect spot for everyone who loves hiking way above sea level.

YES! THESE ARE SOME HIGH MOUNTAINS!

When I said Tatry were not dizzying high it was all quite relative, of course the world’s biggest elevations make Poland’s tallest mountains look like dwarfs, but trust me, reaching their peaks is a proper climb! Not without a reason some of the most accomplished Himalayan climbers are from Poland - they all fell in love with climbing and mastered their hiking skills here, in Tatry. It is simply because this place is probably one of the most rewarding climbing schools in the world. It offers something perfect for the entry level climbers and it allows you to fall in love with mountaineering. Even when you’re doing fairly simple routes they are still sprinkled with some magnificent views that make you want to reach out for more. Just walk to Gęsia Szyja or Sarnia Skała, you won’t regret it. Then it takes you a level up, the routes are getting steeper and the views are more breathtaking, and sometimes they can give you this funny feeling in your stomach when you look down. Reaching the tops like Kościelec or Kozi Wierch make you immensely proud and happy. This is when you discover your absolute love for Tatry. But this is not the end of schooling that this place has prepared for you. This is only where your dedication and passion begin.

After your second visit to Tatry you’ll start buying new equipment, reading more about mountain climbing, watching YouTube videos from the trails. This is where you will be ready to face the demanding tests Tatry have got for you. You’ll dream about finishing Orla Perć, you’ll be ready to sign up to your local climbing wall and work out until one day you’ll be able to climb the western wall of the lonesome Mnich. You’ll have Tatry under your skin and it is very much likely you’d like to come back there in winter to try out some of the serious skills.

Why would you go there instead of Alps or Himalayas? Well, it’s simple: Tatry offer really similar level of excitement and challenge but in smaller dosis! You don’t have to plan weeks-long expeditions and risk ruining your house budget to feel the same thrill of climbing stunning mountains somewhere in Switzerland or Pakistan. You can do it in Poland, with routes that very often take less than 12 hours and still are absolutely stunning. You’ll be glad to get to the top!

KNOW THE RULES

There is another thing worth bearing in mind when you come over to Tatry, there is a type of  a subculture up there, around 1000 metres above sea level. All the people trekking there will kindly greet you with ‘cześć!’  the moment they see you. It’s not only kindness, but also safety. When you’re up in the mountains it is worth stopping to say 'hi' to people passing you by, so you better remember them. This might turn out useful in case any of you needed help. Also, you will see many people walking with a separate plastic bag to collect rubbish they find on their way - follow their example. Tatry are a natural reserve and as you might be one of the tourists coming over once a year, there are also wild animals living here. Tatry are their home and no one likes guests who leave mess behind them. Talking about the animals, remember: do not feed them. I know you are a great person and you would never harm any animal, but not everybody is like you. That’s why it is important that wild bears and deers remain wild and stay away from people. It’s safer for us, and especially for them. And watch out for your shoes, never ever take flip flops with you. Your feet will be killing you for that. You don’t have to spend hundreds of euros on professional trekking shoes, but something with thick sole is a must. Oh and don’t forget your raincoat or a jacket! The weather here is truly unpredictable and when it rains - it rains! That’s why there is no point in being stubborn and climbing up no matter what. It can cost you life! Literally!

I know that when you’ll come down to Zakopane these rules appear to be far from reality. But hey! don’t worry. Zakopane is Zakopane, it is a totally different place. It is a small town, right by the Tatry elevation, stretching in the shadow of the Giewont Mountain - the massif known as a ‘sleeping knight’ because it resembles so much human face. Many despise the once beautiful town of Zakopane because of its touristic exploitation, the noise and cringy attractions. I’m not surprised, I don't like it either. But it is the best starting point for your Tatry exploration.

Simply you’re better off running away from the noisy town into the woods and then after 3 hours walk you’ll be in this part of Tatry where each stone is loved and important. You’ll see it on people’s faces.

THERE IS MORE IN TATRY THAN RULES - THERE IS a UNIQUE CULTURE

Tatry are exceptional also because of the local people who populated its slopes hundreds of years ago. They are tough but honest people with unique culture and traditions, and after days of admiring the wild nature of the Tatra peaks, you can’t miss their local customs and traditions.

It is well worth getting inside of the characteristic cottage houses and churches. Even better it is to come over to see them play the fiddle and bass and sing traditional folk songs. Also you’re bound to be hungry after days of climbing, and they will feed you well. Too good even, and, well that’s inevitable in Poland, they will get sure you drunk with vodka (you can read more about drinking vodka in Poland here). Nobody can drink as much as they do.

OSCYPEK!

There is one last thing you must try out when you visit Tatry!

Something you will not find anywhere else, and something that might so shocking that you’ll spit it out straight away...or completely fall for it!

A special type of cheese made of sheep milk and prepared only in Tatry - oscypek! It is very salty, and when you chew it it makes a characteristic sound as if it was rubbing your teeth! It tastes perfectly when it’s warm, especially cooked on a barbecue and served with cranberry and, especially for meat-eaters with a stripe of bacon. This is a taste you’ll definitely remember till the end of your life!

GO THERE AND FALL IN LOVE

I can’t advertise Tatry enough - I love the place and I try to go there every year. Sometimes I even dream about being there. I kid you not!

That’s why I am pretty sure that once you find yourself looking up at the Sleeping Knight you won’t regret coming here.