The best walks and hikes in Poland

Mountain adventures in Poland

If it’s mountain adventures you’re after for your hikes in Poland, you won’t be disappointed. Poland has a mountainous south with beautiful uplands, phenomenal geology and 70 peaks over 6,600 feet (2,000 m). 

The Tatra Mountains in the Carpathians form the border of Poland and Slovakia and hiking at altitude here is exhilarating if you’re a serious mountaineer. Here you’ll find Poland’s highest peak, Rysy at 8,199 feet (2,499 m), along with some of the most jaw-dropping lakes. After bagging those high summits there are  plenty of mountain huts in which to take refuge and recover. 

Along the Czech border, hike amongst the Table Mountains with their flat tops and strange sandstone rock formations. All along this southern border, you can trek amongst truly inspiring scenery whether you’re aiming for the peaks or exploring the valleys.

Poland’s varied landscapes

It’s easy to find accessible walks in Poland, particularly in the 23 national parks. The nation has an outstanding trail system and is so huge that you can easily find yourself wonderfully alone. The luxury of Poland’s hiking scene is that you can feel secluded whilst never being dangerously isolated. This allows you to explore the phenomenal, wild landscape at your leisure. 

With old growth forests and vast lake districts as well as gorgeous meadows and huge sand dunes, the best hiking trails in Poland will always take you by surprise. 

Watching the wildlife

Do you love to see wildlife while exploring? Poland is so rich in animals that you’re bound to see a variety of intriguing creatures and signs of many others on your walks. 

Bison, wolves and bears are some of the country’s most impressive residents. Wild boar, moose, deer, beavers and otters can all be found here too. While the stunning Eurasian lynx resides in the Carpathians, they’re a modest population and hard to spot. No harm in keeping an eye out though. 

Walking from spring to winter

Poland has deliciously warm summers and snowy winters so it’s important to choose your hiking season well. For all but winter mountaineering, late spring to early autumn provides astounding hiking conditions across much of the country. 

The shoulder seasons are ideal for hiking as the trails are quieter and the sun less intense. With so many trails though, it’s easy to choose empty routes if you like. In the mountains, temperatures get lower and UV increases the higher you climb, so in summer you’ll need to prepare for this, as well as potentially harsh sunlight.