Hike to Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy
Hiking and Mountaineering

Ascent to Kościelec (High Tatras)

Description

Hiking and climbing tour from Kuźnice (1011 meters AMSL) to Kościelec (2155 meters AMSL) via Schronisko Murowaniec (1500 meters AMSL).

Kościelec, sometimes referred to as the “Polish Matterhorn”, is a conspiciuous peak in the Polish part of the High Tatras (Tatry Wysokie) mountain range.

Photos and Video

April 2025

Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy
Karb (1853m)
Kościelec (2155m)
Kościelec (2155m)
April 2024
Frozen Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy
Ascent to Karb
Karb (1853m)
Ascent to Kościelec

Map, Topography

Notes and recommendations

With snow obstructing the way, you need about one and a half hours from Karb (“Gap”, 1853 meters) to the peak, and not getting lost can be a challenge. When you start at the Murowaniec mountain hut (1505 meters), it may take two hours to reach Karb, depending on the snow conditions.

It’s a technical and difficult ascent in wintry conditions especially on the last fifty meters, so crampons and an ice axe are mandatory gear, as well as a helmet.

Checking the avalanche reports has to be a matter of course, for the terrain is steep and prone to avalanches.