There is no tourist or mountain climber who would not dream of warm soup, tea or a cozy place to rest after a full day of hiking in the mountains. In the Tatra Mountains, the main routes start from mountain huts. For some, they are the beginning of a hiking excursion, for others a desired place to rest after a day of measuring their strengths in the hills. These magical places, filled with the scent of warm food and the murmur of conversations of excited travelers recalling the impressions of the past day, attract all year round. The unforgettable atmosphere that connects the people of the mountains is felt especially in the autumn, when the routes are dominated by seasoned and experienced tourists.
PTTK Morskie Oko Mountain Hut
The PTTK Morskie Oko Mountain Hut are actually two accommodation bases located in the immediate vicinity of Morskie Oko. The first, located on the lake's shore, is the over 100-year-old New Hut – Gazdówka. The second, Wozownia (Coach House), located a bit further from the lake, is considered the oldest hut in the Polish Tatras. This place, which is the most crowded with tourists during the summer holidays, is a bit more peaceful in the autumn and winter. Both huts are an ideal place to start an autumn hike to Rysy and a must-see for hiking trips to the Mięguszowieckie Szczyty Ridge and Mnich. In the New Shelter building, there is a restaurant offering delicious snacks and lunch dishes. Inside, there is also a cozy dining room with a view of the surroundings of Morskie Oko and a shop. The works of artists related to the Tatra Mountains are often presented in the shelter’s glass veranda. The hut also offers equipment for hire, especially in the autumn and winter. The Morskie Oko Mountain School also operates on site, offering training and guided tours, workshops on the basics of advanced Tatra tourism, climbing and rescue, navigation and first aid.
PTTK Mountain Hut in Dolina Pięciu Stawów
The PTTK Mountain Hut in Dolina Pięciu Stawów is the highest situated hut on the Polish side of the Tatra Mountains, and at the same time one of the most atmospheric accommodation places in the Tatras. Hidden in the quiet of the mountain lakes in the area of the High Tatras in quite demanding terrain, only true mountain enthusiasts reach here. The routes to Orla Perć, Kozi Wierch, Krzyżne and Szpiglasowa Przełęcz begin at this hut. A very cozy dining room in the shelter in the Dolina Pięciu Stawów is a place to meet in the evening, and even games and books are available for tourists, perfect for long autumn evenings and rainy days. Their famous tomato soup or delicious bigos (fried saurkraut with sausage) are just some of the dishes that the kitchen offers to help renew your strength. There is also the 5+ Mountain School at the shelter, offering summer and winter courses as well as guided tours. The shelter in the Dolina Pięciu Stawów is a place that cares about ecology, where you can relax in peace and quiet, surrounded by the highest peaks of the Tatra Mountains.
Mountain Hut in Dolina Roztoki
It is probably the least crowded Tatra shelter due to its location. The Mountain Hut in Dolina Roztoki, hidden in the forest thicket of the Dolina Białki, is located quite close to the main road leading to Morskie Oko. It is worth straying from the main route at Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza and taking a shelter in the silence of the forest at Stara Roztoka. In addition to accommodation and delicious cuisine, the hut also organises interesting meetings with people of the mountains and mountain evenings. It is an ideal option for people who value peace and being close to nature. The shelter in the Roztoka Valley is an ideal starting point for trips to the Polish Dolina Pięciu Stawów and in the Morskie Oko region.
Murowaniec Mountain Hut
It is undoubtedly the central point on the map of the Tatra Mountains and the main starting point for most mountain expeditions in the High Tatras – both tourist and climbing. The Murowaniec Mountain Hut is located in the heart of Hala Gąsienicowa, and offers comfortable accommodation, delicious meals and an unforgettable atmosphere. Recently, the hut was renovated to have a more modern feel, but did not lose its original mountain atmosphere because of its unique surroundings. For autumn and winter evenings, there is a mountain library in the dining room, and you can even rent a guitar for your pleasure. For lovers of mountain fashion, a unique collection of clothing with the logo of the shelter is available. From time to time, mountain evenings and meetings are organised in the Murowaniec Mountain Hut.
PTTK Hala Kondratowa Mountain Hut
It is the smallest Tatra shelter located at the foot of Giewont. The PTTK Hala Kondratowa Mountain Hut has a few rooms and delicious dishes to offer. Their traditional and incredibly delicious mushroom soup and heavenly gingerbread will give you strength before embarking on a hike to Giewont and Czerwone Wierchy. The exceptionally intimate atmosphere of the shelter and the rumors about the bears living nearby encourage you to stop for a moment also on the way back from your hike. From the terrace in front of the shelter there is a beautiful view of Kopa Kondracka, Przełęcz pod Kopą Kondracka, Kasprowy Wierch and Myślenickie Turnie.
Hala Ornak Mountain Hut
After the Hut in the Dolina Pięciu Stawów, it is undoubtedly the most climatic of the Tatra shelters. The unique atmosphere makes you feel like you are traveling in time. The cozy and warm interiors of the Hala Ornak Mountain Hut encourage you to spend long autumn evenings here, and the apple pie baked according to the old family recipe with the addition of forest fruits will definitely take first place. Interesting exhibitions are presented in the shelter, for example an exhibition from Kinga Baranowska's expeditions. The Loria Chamber commemorating the former shelter on Hala Pyszna and the achievements of the mountaineer Leon Loria is also open to the public. Every year, at the end of November, meetings from the series “W Stronę Pysznej” and with Tatra poetry are held in the shelter, enriched with artistic presentations. The shelter also regularly organises other mountain evenings and meetings.
Mountain Hut in Dolina Chochołowska
It is the main starting point for climbing the Western Tatras, and it is here that the routes to, among others, Grześ, Rakoń and Wołowiec start. The Mountain Hut in Dolina Chochołowska, one of the largest in the Tatra Mountains, offers many guest rooms, with a restaurant and dining room for tourists. The chef's specialty is pan-fried trout, a Chochołów cutlet and delicious apple pie – a Chochołów dessert. It is also worth visiting the Papal Hall, which houses an exhibition commemorating John Paul II's meeting with Lech Wałęsa in 1983 in the Dolina Chochołowska.
Hotel Górski (Mountain Hotel) in Kalatówki
It is located quite close to Kuźnice, on the picturesque Polana Kalatówki with a stunning view of Kasprowy Wierch at any time of the day and year. It is an ideal place to start mountain hikes for people who value peace, but also like to stay close to civilization. Hotel Górski in Kalatówki is a restaurant designed to have a Tatra atmosphere, equipped with old ski equipment and archival photographs. The unique pancakes with bryndza (sheep cheese) are a must-try.
Important information
Tatra shelters are wonderful places to meet, make new friends and exchange experiences and achievements gained in the mountains. These are interiors filled with the emotions of many Tatra stories, in which time flows differently, especially on long autumn and winter evenings. Even without spending the night there, it is worth stopping for a moment for a hot meal, or to feel the unique magic of places located in the heart of the Tatra Mountains.
It is worth remembering that:
- advance booking of accommodation well in advance is required,
- only cash payments are allowed in the shelters.