Dolina Bystrej Valley

Dolina Bystrej is a large valley in the Polish Western Tatras, whose mouth lies in the Zakopane Basin, between the slopes of Nosal and Krokiew. It is about 6 km long and has an area of roughly 17 km². The whole valley belongs to Tatra National Park, and a large part of it is under strict protection.

How to enter the valley

The entrance to the valley is Kuźnice, situated at 930 m above sea level. Minibuses, taxis and residents' cars go there, so getting there from Zakopane is simple. In Kuźnice stand the lower station of the cable car to Kasprowy Wierch and a TOPR (Tatra Volunteer Rescue Service) point, and Nosal rises above the valley.

The stream and the karst springs

Along the bottom of the valley flows the Bystra, formed by the Goryczkowy and Kasprowy streams. On its course lie three karst springs: Wywierzysko Bystrej, Goryczkowe Wywierzysko and Kasprowe Wywierzysko. Among the caves of the valley the sources name the Magurska Cave, the Bystra Cave and the Kasprowa Niżnia Cave; their entrances should not be treated as accessible without permission and preparation.

Trails leaving the valley

Several trails lead from the Kuźnice area. The blue trail runs to Giewont through the Kondratowa Valley, while the green leads to Kasprowy Wierch and also branches off from the hut in Kondratowa. The yellow trail leads through the Jaworzynka Valley and the monastery trail, and the black one is the Ścieżka nad Reglami. In the valley there is also the Jaworzynka hotel, two convents (of the Albertines and the Albertine Sisters) and the PTTK (Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society) mountain hut at Kalatówki. Higher up you will find the PTTK mountain hut on Hala Kondratowa, and from here it is easy to combine a walk with an ascent of Giewont.

Traces of former farming

For several hundred years the valley was exploited: sheep were grazed in it, ore was mined and the forest was felled. This led to the deforestation of the slopes. For several decades these activities have been abandoned and, according to Wikipedia, the valley's nature has recovered considerably. In winter, ski runs marked as blue operate on its slopes, among them from beneath Kasprowy Wierch and by the Goryczkowa lift.

Practical information

• Place: the mouth of the valley in Zakopane, starting point Kuźnice (930 m above sea level).
• Getting there: by minibus, taxi or car; check the current rules on entry and parking.
• National park area: the rules of Tatra National Park apply, including in the strict protection zone. Check the trails and conditions before setting out.
• Admission to the valley area outside the infrastructure is free of charge; check fees and hours of facilities with their operators.