The Tatra Mountains lie to the south of Poland. The range runs along the border with Slovakia. The stone is a blocky type of granite, somewhat similar to that of the Tetons. The Tatra's are often referred to as the "biggest, little mountains in Europe". This is evident by the serious nature of the climbing and the routes. Most of the faces require long approaches and that leads to some long days. Climbing here really gives one a feeling of adventure and solitude. There is no formal guidebook for the region. Most beta is spread through smaller mediums or by word-of-mouth. So you will have to do some homework to enjoy these mountains. The Tatras are all national park and hiking off designated trails is prohibited. As of my last visit, one had to be a member of a climbing organization (AAC, etc...) and have proper proof, in order to hike off trail.
Getting There
The closest major city is Krakow, which lies to the north. To access the mountains from the Polish side, one must pass through the beautiful mountain town of Zakopane. From here, it is possible to depart for the mountains or any of the huts in the area.
Tatra Mountains
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