Dolina Pięciu Stawów (Five Polish Lakes Valley) – Krzyzne Pass
Difficulty Level: **
Walking Time: 2h 15′ (3,5 km)
603m (1978ft)
603m (1978ft)
Climbing Features – NO
Highest Point: Krzyzne Pass – 2112m (6929ft) a. s. l
From the shelter (1671m. a.s.l.) we set off following the blue signs leading to Zawrat. The trail leads along the edge of the Przedni Staw (Front Lake – 1669m. a.s.l.) and then passes over Roztoka Brook, leading slightly uphill until a fork in the road gives us the options of the blue trail continuing along the Wielki Staw (Great Lake), and the yellow trail to the Krzyzne Pass.
Initially, the path rises slightly, and after a few minutes traverses. The trail leads along the edge of Dolina Buczynowa (Beech Valley) suspended over the Roztoka Valley. There is a splendid view on the High Tatras, with the dominant Hawran and Placzliwa Skala. At the bottom we see rushing waterfalls. After several minutes, the path becomes steeper and we start the arduous climb to the pass. Chamois are often spotted in this area.
Not overly difficult but, due to the large amount of huge slabs covering it, it may be difficult at times to pinpoint the exact location of the trail. The path is very open and offers a vast panorama of the Tatras. In the final phase of the approach, the trail zigzags and leads us out at the Krzyzne Pass (2112m. a.s.l.) where we can see another spectacular panorama of the High Tatras including Gerlach, Krywan, Rysy and Wielki Staw (Great Lake), where we started our journey. This panorama is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful in the whole of the Tatra Mountains.
