LOCAL GUIDE
BUKOVINA thermal baths, the Tatra panorama from Głodówka, Morskie Oko and Rusinowa Polana, highlander events all year. Plans for one day and longer, trails, getting there and answers to common questions.
Videos
Short clips from the @tatryrazem TikTok account. The TikTok player only loads when you click.
Young highlanders performing at the Dom Ludowy cultural centre in Bukowina Tatrzańska
Watch on TikTokRusinowa Polana — highlanders performing with a view of the Tatras
Watch on TikTokZgorzelisko meadow — a view of the Tatras
Watch on TikTokThe Heart of Poronin viewing terrace on Zgorzelisko meadow
Watch on TikTokZgorzelisko meadow in the afternoon sun
Watch on TikTokChildren's Day at Termy Bukovina
Watch on TikTokA christening party in Podhale — traditional dance
Watch on TikTokTrip plans
A Tatra panorama, a highlander village and an evening in thermal water.
One Tatra trip, one day of culture and room to spare for the weather.
A programme that is easy to move indoors.
Thermal baths and family attractions
The thermal water is right in the village centre, with more complexes in Białka and Chochołów.
20 indoor and outdoor pools with thermal water at 30–38°C, drawn from a depth of 2400 m beneath Wysoki Wierch. Plus 8 saunas, year-round water slides and two summer ones.
Every autumn there is a maintenance break: in 2026 the children’s zone is closed 28 September – 2 October and the saunas 26–30 October. Check the announcement before you go.
Official website15 pools and 2400 m² of water surface in three separate zones: fun, relaxation and saunas. In the fun zone the water is 34–38°C, and the slides total more than 300 m.
For the youngest there is a paddling pool up to 35 cm deep and an indoor water playground.
Official websiteThe largest complex in the area: 52 pools and about 4500 m² of water surface at 32–38°C. Further away than Bukowina and Białka, but a good choice for a whole rainy day.
The baths are closed from 19 to 30 October 2026 for modernisation.
Official websiteOutside the ski season the chairlift takes you up to the summit, with a view of the Tatras. At the top: the “Wioska Skrzatów” (Gnome Village) playground, off-road scooters and a bike park for cyclists.
The lift’s opening hours depend on the weather and the season — check them on the resort’s website.
Official websitePanoramas and walks
Bukowina lies at 800–1000 m above sea level, so you can see the Tatras without a long climb.
The best-known viewpoint in the area, on the road from Bukowina to Łysa Polana, at over 1000 m. The glade offers a wide panorama of the Tatras.
You can get there by car or, in summer, by municipal bus no. 10 (Polana Głodówka stop). The Tatras are usually clearest in the morning.
Official websiteA ridge above Bukowina with the Rusiń-Ski ski station. It offers views of the Tatras, the Gorce range and Babia Góra; at the top there is a karczma (inn) by the lift station.
A blue walking trail leads up from the centre (see “Trails nearby”).
Official websiteFormerly known as Wierchowa: a scenic ridge road between Leśnica and Białka, over Koszarków Wierch to Kobylarzówka. Legend links it to King Jan Kazimierz’s escape from the Swedes.
Good both for a hike and for mountain biking.
Official websiteA walk to two chapels: Brzeziński’s Chapel from 1922, with an original painting of the Holy Trinity by the painter Jan Brzeziński, and the Patriotic Chapel, where ceremonies were held between the wars.
A shepherding village in Polish Spiš. From its fields and lanes you can see the Tatras and — from above — Jurgów, Brzegi, Białka and Czarna Góra.
A waymarked trail from the castle in Czorsztyn passes through Rzepiska.
Official websiteThe Tatras and Slovakia nearby
From Bukowina, Palenica Białczańska and the border crossing at Łysa Polana are closest. There is an entry fee for TPN (Tatra National Park), and dogs are not allowed.
The most famous lake in the Polish Tatras, with views of Rysy among other peaks. A tarmac road leads from Palenica Białczańska, passing Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza (Mickiewicz Waterfalls) on the way. A loop of about 2.5 km runs around the lake.
Parking at Palenica only with a ticket bought online — if there are no spaces online, there will be none on site either. It is a few degrees colder by the lake.
Official websiteA valley with five lakes and the highest mountain hut in the Polish Tatras (1671 m). From Palenica through the Roztoka Valley, past Wielka Siklawa, a waterfall over 70 m high.
The loop over the Świstówka pass to Morskie Oko is about 20 km — only for fit hikers, in settled weather.
Official websiteA vast glade (approx. 1200 m) with one of the finest panoramas of the High Tatras and traditional sheep grazing kept up as cultural heritage. Just below is the Marian sanctuary at Wiktorówki, linked to the legend of a shepherdess from around 1860.
The gentlest approach is from Wierch Poroniec; from Zazadnia the route leads via Wiktorówki.
Official websiteA summit (1489 m) with dolomite rocks above Rusinowa Polana. The climb is short but steep — more than a thousand wooden steps. From the top there is a wide panorama of the Tatras.
A dripstone cave in Tatranská Kotlina, beyond Ždiar. The route is 1370 m long with 874 steps, the tour takes about 70 minutes, and it is 5–6°C inside.
From the car park to the entrance is an uphill walk of about 25 minutes. Tours start at fixed times and tickets cannot be booked — bring a warm jumper.
Official websiteFrom Tatranská Lomnica, cable cars go up to Skalnaté pleso, Lomnické sedlo and all the way to Lomnický štít (2634 m) — one of the highest peaks in the Tatras.
The ride to Lomnický štít depends on the weather and ticket availability — check online before you set off.
Official websiteHighlander and Spiš culture
The municipality spans Podhale and Polish Spiš. You will see the most in Bukowina, Białka, Jurgów and Czarna Góra.
One of the largest wooden buildings in the area; its theatre hall has been in use since 1932. Today it is the Bukowina Culture Centre — organiser of the Góralski Karnawał and Sabałowe Bajania.
Check the calendar before you come: plays in the local dialect, folk band competitions and concerts take place all year round.
Official websiteA masonry church with a wooden tower from 1887, built through the efforts of the villagers. The wall paintings were made in 1937 by Paweł Pełka; it has been a listed monument since 1994.
Services are held here only occasionally — it is usually seen from the outside.
Official websiteA church of reinforced concrete, marble and glass (1974–1982) designed by Wojciech Pietrzyk — a highly regarded example of modern sacred architecture. The main altar was made by local highlanders.
Go in outside Mass times.
Official websiteThe wooden Church of St Simon and St Jude Thaddeus from the first half of the 18th century, consecrated in 1765 and surrounded by old lime trees. Inside: a Rococo-Neoclassical main altar from 1780 and Baroque sculptures.
The interior is easiest to see during a service.
Official websiteThe Church of St Sebastian from around 1675, entirely clad in wooden shingles. The interior is decorated with Rococo wall paintings from 1813. It lies on the Wooden Architecture Route.
On Sundays a Mass in Slovak is also celebrated here.
Official websiteA Spiš farmstead from 1861, a branch of the Tatra Museum (Muzeum Tatrzańskie): house and farm buildings under one roof, costumes, tools and a weaving workshop.
Closed on Wednesdays in summer, and on Mondays and Tuesdays out of season. Admission is free on Thursdays.
Official websiteA prosperous Spiš farm from the turn of the 20th century, extended with stone buildings in the 1930s. Inside: a kitchen, living rooms and a carpentry workshop.
Closed on Tuesdays in summer, and on Mondays and Tuesdays out of season.
Official websiteWinter: downhill and cross-country skiing
The municipality has many ski areas — from large resorts in Białka to short lifts in the centre of Bukowina.
A family ski station on Rusiński Wierch: a six-seater and a four-seater chairlift, two T-bar lifts and a magic carpet for children. The runs are blue, the longest is 1200 m, and the wide slopes are good for learning.
The beginners’ lift is separated from the main run. The slope has snowmaking and floodlights.
Official websiteThe largest ski resort in Podhale: well over ten kilometres of runs of varying difficulty, a snow park and family zones. The runs have snowmaking and floodlights.
Between Kotelnica and Jankulakowski Wierch there are free, floodlit cross-country trails — four loops from 1.25 to 4.4 km. Free ski buses run in Białka in winter.
Official websiteShort, gentle slopes for learning and for a quick session without driving anywhere, including the “Przy Kolibie” and “Ku Dolinie” lifts and the slopes on Wysoki Wierch.
Good for a first day on skis or an evening session — check locally which lifts are running.
Official websiteA ski station on Górkowy Wierch above Jurgów: 9 runs totalling 4.5 km, including a black and a red — among the more difficult in Podhale. A karczma (inn) with a view at the top.
One ski pass for 19 resorts in Poland and Slovakia, including Rusiń-Ski, Kotelnica, Kaniówka, Jurgów Ski and Kasprowy Wierch. Worth it if you ski for several days in different places.
Reduced passes are available for children under 16 and seniors aged 65 and over.
Official websiteTrails
Data from the TPN trail cards; for walking paths outside the park and sections without a TPN card, from mapa-turystyczna.pl. Times are one way without breaks, unless a loop is described.
| Trail | Distance | Time | Ascent | Difficulty | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To Wierch Kurucowystart: Bukowina centre | 4.1 km | approx. 1 h 25 min | approx. 250 m | easy | A yellow walking path outside the national park — good for a warm-up and a walk with a dog on a lead. Trail details |
| To Rusiński Wierchstart: Bukowina centre | 6.9 km | approx. 2 h 25 min | approx. 350 m | moderate | A blue walking path to a ridge with views of the Tatras, the Gorce range and Babia Góra. Outside TPN, so dogs are welcome too. Trail details |
| Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza (Mickiewicz Waterfalls)start: Palenica Białczańska | 2.8 km | approx. 45 min | approx. 120 m | easy | Along the tarmac road to the cascades on the Roztoka stream. After rain, watch out for slippery rocks by the water. Trail details |
| Rusinowa Polana from Wierch Poroniecstart: Wierch Poroniec | 3.2 km | approx. 1 h | approx. 140 m | easy | Along the green trail on a wide forest track — the gentlest way up to the glade, good with children. Trail details |
| Zazadnia — Wiktorówki — Rusinowa Polanastart: Zazadnia | approx. 4.3 km | approx. 1.5 h | approx. 350 m | easy | Along the blue trail through the Filipka Valley to the sanctuary at Wiktorówki. In 2026 the Zazadnia car park was temporarily closed due to road works — check the TPN announcement. Trail details |
| Gęsia Szyjastart: Rusinowa Polana | 1.3 km | approx. 45 min | approx. 280 m | moderate | Steeply up more than a thousand wooden steps to a 1489 m viewpoint. For the descent you can take the green trail to Rówień Waksmundzka. Trail details |
| Morskie Okostart: Palenica Białczańska | approx. 9 km on tarmac | approx. 2.5 h | approx. 410 m | moderate | A full-day trip; TPN gives 11.6 km including the loop around the lake. Horse-drawn carts run to Włosienica, and TPN e-buses with a ticket bought online. Trail details |
| Valley of the Five Polish Ponds and Morskie Okostart: Palenica Białczańska | approx. 20 km (loop) | approx. 8 h | approx. 1000 m | demanding | Through the Roztoka Valley to the mountain hut (1671 m) and over the Świstówka pass to Morskie Oko. Set off at dawn; in winter the gullies are prone to avalanches. Trail details |
Events
The most important annual events in the municipality. The 2026 dates come from the organisers; the 2027 dates have not yet been announced — later editions usually fall in the same period.
usually in February (2026: 5–8 February)
Competitions for carol-singing groups and the zbójnicki (highland outlaws’) dance, a parade of horse-drawn sleighs through the village, and an exhibition of folk art and Podhale sheepdogs. The programme also includes kumoterki races in traditional highlander sleighs (on Rusiński Wierch in 2026).
Details and current dateson Palm Sunday (2027: 21 March)
At Dom Ludowy, children present Easter palms made together with their parents and grandparents. The show has been held since 1982.
Details and current datesusually in spring
A showcase of children’s and youth folk groups from the municipality — Podhale and Spiš in one place.
Details and current datesJuly (2026: 8–12 July)
The Festival of Polish Folklore, held for the 60th time in 2026: competitions for storytellers, musicians, singers and wedding masters of ceremonies (drużbowie), a parade of horse-drawn carriages, tastings of regional dishes, a bonfire (watra) and concerts in front of Dom Ludowy.
Details and current datesJuly (2026: 26 July)
A festival in the Tatrzańskie Wici series: opened with hunting horn calls, followed by a shooting contest, performances by local groups and attractions for children.
Details and current datesAugust (2026: 8–9 August)
Two days of fun in Białka Tatrzańska in the Tatrzańskie Wici series — contests for visitors (“ceprzy”, as highlanders call lowlanders) and locals alike.
Details and current dates15 August (2026)
A festival in Czarna Góra with regional folk groups and home cooking from Spiš.
Details and current datesend of August (2026: 30 August)
A shepherds’ celebration with a redyk (sheep drive), the election of the Gazda (Farmer) of the Year and performances by regional folk groups.
Details and current datesusually in September (2026: 12–13 September)
A showcase of village theatres from several regions of Poland — plays in dialect and folk-ritual performances on the stage of Dom Ludowy.
Details and current datesrecurring (next: 24 October 2026)
An evening party in the thermal pools with club music and DJs.
Details and current dateslate autumn (2025: 30 November)
Gatherings of Podhale folk bands in the traditional three-piece line-up, honouring the tradition of the Bukowina musician Bronisława Dziadoń-Konieczna, known as Dziadońka. Intimate music-making in the wooden Dom Ludowy.
Details and current datesPractical info
From Kraków take the Zakopianka road to Nowy Targ, then continue via Białka Tatrzańska or via Poronin. From Orla Village Bukowina in the centre of Bukowina it is approx. 30 km to Poprad-Tatry Airport and approx. 85 km to Kraków-Balice.
Direct buses run from Kraków, including Szwagropol via Nowy Targ. Municipal public service lines run from Zakopane to Bukowina, Białka and Jurgów.
Municipal bus timetablesFrom 1 July to 31 August, municipal line no. 10 runs from Bukowina to Palenica Białczańska twice a day (in 2026 from the Kościół stop at 7:02 and 9:47) and returns at 14:00 and 17:00. From Palenica to Włosienica, TPN e-buses run — only with a ticket bought online.
Line no. 10 timetableEntry to TPN costs 11 zł (reduced 5.50 zł); children under 7 enter free. Parking below Morskie Oko is bought online (in 2026, 36–75 zł depending on the day). In the summer holidays an alternative car park operates at the Rusiń-Ski station, served by public transport.
Morskie Oko car parksThe centre of Bukowina has shops, a post office and a branch of Tatrzański Bank Spółdzielczy with a cash machine. In Slovakia you pay in euros.
TOPR (Tatra Mountain Rescue) emergency number: 985 or +48 601 100 300; 112 also works. It is worth installing the Ratunek app. From 1 March to 30 November hiking in TPN is prohibited between dusk and dawn. With a dog you may only enter the Chochołowska Valley and the Droga pod Reglami path.
TPN trail conditionsThe Łysa Polana crossing is in the Schengen area, but bring an ID card or passport. The Slovak mountain rescue service, Horská záchranná služba (number 18 300), may charge the rescued person for the operation, and the EHIC covers medical treatment only — take out mountain rescue insurance before heading into the Slovak mountains.
HZS: insuranceThe Bukowina Tatrzańska municipality charges a local visitor tax: 2 zł per person for each day of stay begun.
Municipal resolutionSeasons
Skiing at many stations in the municipality, thermal baths after the slopes, horse-drawn sleigh rides and the Góralski Karnawał in February. School winter holidays and the Christmas and New Year period bring the biggest crowds.
Quieter than in season. Lower trails such as Rusinowa Polana open up earlier than the higher areas, where snow lingers for a long time and the gullies are prone to avalanches.
All trails open, Sabałowe Bajania and the Tatrzańskie Wici festivals, the summer slides at the thermal baths and bus no. 10 to Palenica. Book parking below Morskie Oko in advance.
Fewer people and colourful forests. In September and October the thermal baths take maintenance breaks — check the announcements. In November it gets dark early.
FAQ
Yes, in summer. From 1 July to 31 August the municipal bus no. 10 runs from Bukowina to Palenica Białczańska in the morning and returns in the afternoon (two runs each way). From Palenica to Włosienica you can take a TPN e-bus with a ticket bought online, or a horse-drawn cart. Outside the summer holidays the easiest option is to drive, with a parking booking.
Termy Bukovina are in the village centre: 20 pools, 8 saunas and new water slides. Terma Bania in Białka has separate fun and relaxation zones and a paddling pool for toddlers. Chochołowskie Termy are the largest but the furthest away — good for a whole rainy day. In autumn, check for maintenance breaks.
The thermal baths in Bukowina, Białka or Chochołów, the farmstead museums in Jurgów and Czarna Góra, a play or concert at Dom Ludowy, and the Belianska jaskyňa cave in Slovakia, where it is 5–6°C all year round.
Yes. There are thermal baths with paddling pools and water slides, gentle slopes for learning to ski, easy walks such as Rusinowa Polana from Wierch Poroniec, and a playground on Kotelnica in summer. At Orla Village Bukowina children have a play corner in the dining hall and, in summer, a playground with a trampoline.
Yes. Tickets for the TPN car parks below Morskie Oko are bought online on the park’s website. If there are no spaces online, there are none on site either. In the summer holidays you can leave your car at the alternative car park at the Rusiń-Ski station and continue by public transport.
Dogs are not allowed on Tatra National Park trails, including Rusinowa Polana and Morskie Oko. You can, however, enjoy quiet walks on the paths around Bukowina, for example to Wierch Kurucowy or Rusiński Wierch. In the Polish Tatras dogs are allowed only in the Chochołowska Valley and on the Droga pod Reglami path, on a lead.
Places to stay nearby
