The Tatra National Park & Dolina Kościeliska

After arriving to Zakopane we took a long walk to Przysłop Miętusi (1189 m) via Dolina Małej Łąki. During the walk we entered the Tatra National Park, that was founded in 1954 and is one of the largest Polish national parks. In the park you can find endemic species such as the Tatra scurvy-grass (a plant with white flowers), the Tatra marmot and the Tatra chamois (a goatlike antelope), with the latter being the symbol of the Tatra National Park. Once we reached the Przysłop Miętusi, it started to rain, so instead having a lunch break we decided to continue our walk towards Dolina Kościeliska (Kościeliska Valley). Importantly, in the Tatra Mountains traditional sheep grazing is practiced; we were very excited to see sheeps with a shepherd, and a traditional wooden shepherd's hut (bacówka) at the Dolina Kościeliska.

Views from the hiking trail to the Przysłop Miętusi

Przysłop Miętusi and its surroundings

A shepherd's hut (bacówka) and a flock of sheep at the Dolina Kościeliska