Rusinowa Polana and Gęsia Szyja from Wierch Poroniec

From the national park's car park at Wierch Poroniec, on the road to Morskie Oko, follow the green path south through the forest, gently up to Rusinowa Polana, an old shepherds' meadow with a long view of the High Tatras. The path then climbs steeply, much of it on wooden steps, through the forest and out onto the rocky top of Gęsia Szyja (1,489 m), one of the best viewpoints in the Tatras, looking over the Dolina Białki to the peaks above Morskie Oko. Return the same way.

It is 8.9 km there and back with 387 m of ascent; allow about 3½ hours. The grade is Moderate: an easy path, then a steep but short climb, with no chains or exposure.

The park listed the green path from Rusinowa Polana to Gęsia Szyja among the paths being repaired in its bulletin of 3 October 2026, so expect work on it. In winter the steps are icy. All Tatra paths are closed from dusk to dawn between 1 March and 30 November, and dogs are not allowed.

The car park at Wierch Poroniec costs 40 zł and is small. Buses to Morskie Oko stop there. The park entry ticket is 11 zł.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.