PTTK Mountain Hut at Morskie Oko

The PTTK mountain hut at Morskie Oko stands at an altitude of 1410 metres above sea level, on a glacial moraine ridge in the Rybi Potok Valley in the High Tatras. It consists of two parts: the Old Hut from the 19th century and the New Hut from 1908.

History of the place

The first mentions of the hut date from 1823, and in 1827 the first building was put up by Emanuel Homolacs. It burned down in 1865. In 1874 the Tatra Society built a wooden building for 25 people, and a year later it was named after Stanisław Staszic. In 1891 it was extended to 27 double rooms, and a carriage building was put up next to it. Another fire destroyed the hut in 1898. The present main building was built in 1908.

Two buildings

The Old Hut formerly served as a coach house from 1891 and today has 43 beds in multi-bed rooms: for 13, 14 and 16 people. The New Hut has 36 beds in rooms for 3 to 6 people, so 79 beds in total. After a major renovation in 1988-1992 the site also has a restaurant and a bar, and a TOPR rescue station.

In 1976 the building was designated a historic monument and placed under legal protection. The hut is managed by the PTTK (Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society). In 1997 it was visited by John Paul II.

Life in the hut

According to the hut's website, in 1874 the Tatra Society built a small building facing the lake, which was destroyed by fire in 1898. The present building was put into use in 1908 and operates to this day. In 1945-1980 the hut was run by Wanda and Czesław Łapiński.

The New Hut has 36 beds in rooms for 3 to 6 people, and the former coach house 43 beds in three multi-bed rooms. The seasonal kitchen takes meal orders from 7.00 to 21.00, and boiling water is available free of charge around the clock. In both buildings quiet hours apply from 22.00 to 6.00. The TOPR information board gives the weather forecast and current conditions in the mountains. The hut's website has tabs on the offer, the surroundings and the weather, and among partners it lists the PTTK, TOPR and Tatra National Park.

Getting there

The same route leads to the hut as to the lake itself: from Palenica Białczańska it is about 11.6 km including a walk around Morskie Oko. Dogs are not allowed into Tatra National Park, and the park recommends planning the trip in advance on holidays and weekends, because the car park at Palenica fills up quickly.

Nearby

Right next to it lies Morskie Oko, and about 100 metres away is the Old PTTK Mountain Hut at Morskie Oko. Trails also set out from here to Czarny Staw pod Rysami.

Further into the mountains the route leads to the Siklawa waterfall and the PTTK mountain hut in the Valley of the Five Polish Ponds.

Practical information

• Location: at Morskie Oko, Tatra National Park, Tatra County.
• The hut has a restaurant and a bar. Check the rules for overnight stays and reservations, together with current hours, on the website schroniskomorskieoko.pl.
• The hut is reached on foot, and conditions on the route depend on the weather and the season.