Olczyska Valley

The Olczyska Valley (Dolina Olczyska), formerly called Olczysko, is a Tatra valley opening at Jaszczurówka, near Zakopane, reaching up to the peak of Kopa Magury (1704 m). It lies within Tatra National Park.

Water and rock

The valley covers about 4.5 sq km and is built mainly of limestone and dolomite. Water disappears underground in two caves, Jaszczurowska Wodna and Jaszczurowska Wyżnia, and re-emerges at the Olczyskie Spring (Wywierzysko Olczyskie), the largest karst spring in the Polish Tatras. It feeds the Olczyski Stream.

Meadows and trails

Sheep used to be grazed here on the Olczysko and Królowa pastures, and historic shepherds' huts stand on Olczyska Meadow. The green trail runs along the stream through this meadow to Wielki Kopieniec, and the yellow one links it with Przełęcz Nosalowa. Nearby rise Nosal and Wielki Kopieniec.

Practical information

• Start: Jaszczurówka; the entrance to the valley is at about 900 m above sea level.
• The rules of Tatra National Park apply; check them on the park's website before setting out.