Kozia Przełęcz (Chamois Pass) – Szpiglasowa Przełęcz (Szpiglasowa Pass) – Morskie Oko
Difficulty Level: ***
Walking Time: 6h 10′ (8,9 km)
791m (2595ft)
1154m (3786ft)
Climbing Features – Metal chains & brackets.
Highest Point: Kozia Przełęcz – 2137m (7011ft) a. s. l
The trail starts from the branching trails in the vicinity of Zmarzly Staw (Frozen Lake). Blue trail turns right towards, Zawrat Pass, while our yellow trail runs straight ahead. On the right side we see Zmarzly Staw, laying at an altitude of 1788m above sea level.
We reach Kozia Dolinka (Chamois Valley) by overcoming some steep, often slippery slabs, then rock debris and come to another crossroads. Our yellow trail is directed to the right. We see a ridge, along which runs the most difficult trail in the Polish Tatras, called “Orla Perć” (“Eagle Path”), then continue on the rocky footpath uphill amidst rubble, which quickly turns into scree, until we enter a distinctive stone and grassy area. The trail now turns several times. You should closely follow the trail markings (a number of casualties has been recorded at this stage of the route) and traverse the rocky ridge, which can be dangerous in the event of ice or rain. Again traverse along the stone pavement, which after a few minutes brings us to the first set of chains. Next go up the inclined rock plates, and as the trek becomes safer – follow the gravel path. After a few minutes we come to another rock wall, where we need to complete the final approach to the pass with the help of more chains. Starting from a narrow trough, the exposure significantly increases when we circumnavigate the rock wall. Look out for falling stones. Keeping a firm grip of the chain, we walk onto the increasingly large boulders. After a while we go through a rock chute on the left, the last stretch of which is very narrow as we continue heading between Zamarla Turnia (Lifeless Crag) and Kozie Czuby. It gets a little less steep and near the pass, the level of difficulty decreases as we climb up the smaller boulders. From the crossroads at Zmarzly Staw, this treck takes just over 1 hour. A limited panorama of the surrounding peaks by the valleys below and very limited space on top. Across the ridge runs the red marked trail; the aforementioned “Orla Perć”.
One option is to head east toward Granaty and continue to Krzyzne Pass or west through the Kozi Wierch (Chamois Peak) in the direction of Zawrat Pass. From the Kozia Przełęcz (Chamois Pass), we hike along the narrow ledge, twisting to the left, and go directly down the yellow trail towards Pusta Dolinka (Empty Valley). After a few minutes, we reach the overhanging vertical rock. Next to a large steep slope, aided by a combination of brackets and chains, after approximately half an hour we reach the Pusta Dolinka (Empty Valley), surrounded by rock walls of Kozi Wierch and Zamarla Turnia, with a particularly imposing south face of the latter. Difficult climbing routes lead through it and the wall itself bears the infamous name “killer wall” dating back to the times of the first conquerors in the interwar years.
An easy, rubbly path leads us to the intersection with the blue trail running from Zawrat Pass next to a plaque dedicated to climber Stanisław Bronikowski, one of the victims of the aforementioned wall. Going to the left you can reach the hostel within 20 minutes, however we turn to the right following the blue trail and, soon after, to the left following the yellow signs towards Szpiglasowa Przełecz (Szpiglasowa Pass). Initially, we walk on flat terrain, along a convenient path built out of large boulders, then start a steeper approach along a gravel path. After an hour of monotonous marching in the picturesque landscape, we see the beginning of the chains, and at the same time the final approach to the pass. During the first few metres, the area is fairly narrow and proceeding requires caution.
A few minutes later, we arrive at a distinctive path among rocks, on which chains are also provided. From Szpiglasowa Pass, we have the vast panorama of the entire “Orla Perć”, and in the opposite direction, Dolina Rybiego Potoku (Fish Brook Valley) with plenty of space around to unwind. The descent from the pass is absolutely simple, just tread carefully so as not to slip on the weaving path or knock any stones down which may cause a hazard below.
Finally we enter the Dolina Za Mnichem (Za Mnichem Valley), after which we are at the crossroads – the red trail goes right towards Wrota Chałubińskiego (Chalubinskiego Gate Pass), while we descend towards Morskie Oko along an extremely comfortable wide rocky pathway, with a great view of Mieguszowieckie summits and Cubryna. Approaching Morskie Oko slowly, we enter into a small forest. After a while walking among stunted trees we finally reach the shelter by the lake.
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