Hiking in the Polish Carpathians

This seven-night escorted walking holiday with Explore Worldwide begins in Kraków, where you have time to explore the medieval square, Wawel Castle and the former Jewish quarter at a gentle pace. After a walking tour of the city, you head south to Babia Gora National Park. Here, a full-day hike leads to the summit of Babia Gora, also known as Witches Mountain, passing alpine meadows and dwarf pine forests.

Crossing into Slovakia’s West Tatras, the group hikes along forested ridges and valleys before arriving in Zakopane, a town with a distinctive timber architecture influenced by the mountains. From there, the itinerary includes hikes up to Czarny Staw lake and, if you choose, the challenging peak of Koscielec. The final days take in the Pieniny Way along the Dunajec Gorge, with an optional wooden raft trip and a hike to Trzy Korony peak, returning then to Kraków.

The trip combines a variety of landscapes — from limestone gorges to spruce forests — and cultural insights, such as the traditional Highlander village life and local plum brandy. There are border crossings into Slovakia, so passports are required. The walking ranges from gentle valley strolls to more demanding mountain ascents, making it clear this is a holiday for those happy to spend hours on their feet.

New to Poland? Our Poland guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.