Tatra mountains

Zakopane would certainly not be what it is if it was not so close to the Tatra which many consider the most beautiful mountains in the world. The Tatra Mountains are located in the middle of the massive arch of the Carpatians, the mountains which spread over a distance of more than a thousand kilometres and pass through a few Slavic countries. The Tatra are the highest part of the Carpathian arch.

The Tatra Mountains are high but relatively small. They are only 53 km long in a straight line measure and 80 km long if you measure them along their curved crest. They are approximately 15 km wide. Their width in the widest spot is only 18,5 km. Of their whole area of approximately 750 km2 to Poland belong only one fith, i.e. approximately 150 km2. The Highest peak is Gerlach (2,654m over the sea level ).

On the Polish side thehighest peak is Rysy (2,499 m), but its proper, higher peak (2,503 m) is located at the Slovac side. Rysy is only the tenth highest peak in the Tatra Mountains. The highest peak which is entirely on the Polish side is Kozi Wierch (2,291). It is located between two valleys: Dolina Gasienicowa and Dolina Pieciu Stawow Polskich.

The main watershed of Europe passes through the Tatra Mountains. The rivers Dunajec and Poprad flow towards the Balitc Sea,where as the river Orawa and Wag glow towards the Black Sea. Rivers pass through four regions witch surround the Tatra Mountains. They are: the Podhale, Spisz Orawa, and Liptów. Only the Podhale and small parts of the Spisz and Orawa are within Polish boundaries.

The walking paths near Zakopane are very attractive to those tourists who do not hike in the mountains. Especially attractive are paths in the valleys in the western part of the Tatra, such as Dolina Bialego.