Morskie Oko — "Eye of the Sea" — is the largest and most famous lake in the Polish Tatra Mountains, lying at 1,395 metres above sea level in a glacial cirque below the highest peaks. The turquoise water, surrounded by jagged granite walls, is one of the most visited natural sights in Poland, drawing over a million visitors a year despite the effort required to reach it.
From Zakopane, the route to Morskie Oko starts at Palenica Białczańska, from where it is a 9-kilometre walk up a forest road — horse-drawn carriages are also available for those who don't want to walk the full way. The lake itself is circled by a well-marked trail, and the PTTK refuge on its shore offers meals and basic accommodation. Above Morskie Oko, a steep path leads to the smaller Czarny Staw (Black Pond), a darker, more dramatic lake set higher in the cirque.
The route is most pleasant in June and September, when the summer crowds thin out. In winter and spring the road is often closed due to avalanche risk.