Tatra Park Car Tours: Top 5 Scenic Routes

Dreaming of soaring peaks and sweeping valleys? You may want to visit the Tatra National Park. You get to gaze upon it’s stark mountaintops in a cozy car. A drive through this borderland wilderness could be a trip of a lifetime. A road trip puts you right there at the foot of these brooding natural giants, letting you taste the quiet majesty. Pack snacks!

1. Zakopane to Morskie Oko: The Classic Polish Drive

Think of the drive from Zakopane to Morskie Oko as that, sort of, classic opener. I mean, it’s your introduction to the Polish side of the Tatras, very like that first sip of proper mountain air. The start of the trek to Morskie Oko, very probably the country’s most iconic glacial lake, sits not so very far away from Zakopane, that is, if you want to drive closer before your walk. Getting a parking spot is often half the challenge, almost like winning a mini lottery. Very possibly best to arrive early, as a matter of fact, and grab your spot. The journey to Palenica Białczańska can get rather jammed, really almost resembling rush hour, but those towering views starting right away… you know, definitely make it worthwhile. From there, you’ve got the option to hop on a horse-drawn carriage for part of the way, which might be, as a matter of fact, a nice little quirky experience.

Remember, though: those horses have a job, that, sort of, might be tiring work for them, you might agree, so being kind is actually cool, really cool, and something good to do. The payoff is the view of Morskie Oko, seemingly spread right out there like a shimmering mirror beneath the sharp peaks. Walking around it, at times, brings you this almost tangible sense of the mountains breathing, actually. As you stroll by its shoreline, its mirrorlike face looks into your very core. Also, the shelter nearby actually offers hearty meals and warm drinks; after your walk. What more do you want!

2. The Oswald Balzer Trail: A Taste of History and Nature

This one has this certain feel to it that sort of whispers tales. I’m talking about a history of pioneering tourism in the region, so to speak, The Oswald Balzer Trail near Zakopane. More or less designed with sightseeing in mind, or that’s what I’ve heard, this path offers you gorgeous vistas while you follow in the steps of someone important in making this region open for people, apparently a true pioneer. So anyway, the drive is pretty stunning on the eyes. That route that almost clings to mountain edges provides sights that give your jaw a workout. That feeling when you’re high up, seemingly like gazing down upon a vast land…it makes everything a bit quiet inside you. Stopping points come at nice spots, or so I recall, meaning there is pretty much nothing blocking a snapshot view of the Tatras.

I was really drawn in because they actually commemorate him. Memorial plaques appear here and there on your route that have him described. It has this warm feel to it. Also, walking those trails sort of makes you think. What it might have been like way back. It is possible that, the views haven’t changed all that much in so many years? The connection one has here with a place and time is quite moving in some ways, so it adds depth to the tour and makes things more immersive. When the day is over, and your thoughts swirl with echoes and places. It’s really time to pause in Zakopane. Reflect how the mountains keep still despite your journey and thoughts. This drive has you connected. It can provide moments one reflects upon for years!

3. High Tatra Road (Slovakia): Lakeside Panoramas

To stretch your journey across the border, maybe towards Slovakia, the High Tatra Road almost becomes mandatory. You might think so anyway if you hear how others rave. In other words, a smooth, quite well maintained bit of road, that practically acts as your scenic overlook of the Slovakian Tatras. And then it really sets it all into the forefront of what beauty these countries claim to behold! It’s kind of funny actually. The views here unfold almost gradually, in a slow release of mountainsides. Mountain faces come gradually more into full view as you glide.

Places where you can rest come in pretty neat shapes, that or the many places to take pictures make it easy for your camera to fall in love. Make the quick jog up to Štrbské Pleso Lake if you are in the neighborhood; it gives a postcard quality memory of bright blue water framed in pine that touches sky. A cup of coffee that warms after from exploring shores comes almost at nature’s blessing! Actually the road gives this gift of both natural sights and an easy path from point A to Z.

4. Javorina to Lysá Poľana: A Quiet Border Crossing

Very probably for those trying to leave those main routes far behind lies this path; the traverse from Javorina toward Lysá Poľana offers itself well. Think of it kind of as that soft hush on top of the mountain when wind drops to nothing, it can have a similar affect on one as their mind unwinds. These winding little roads almost feel less beaten and almost more close knit within themselves, more or less meaning as if people had almost carved them right by hand through valleys once you lose where Zakopane stops behind.

Stopping here comes less frantic actually, you could notice small things, maybe even a stream tumbling somewhere by, and it kind of makes time feel… generous. Then it almost dawns, as a matter of fact, there in quiet, at this border to two countries, kind of both close and apart. One sees two worlds. Seemingly there apart from views and views. This can almost offer something deep from seeing such beauty. Perhaps to see each country separate but bonded!

5. Around the Western Tatras: A Slovakian Circle

Almost as you try to go see the quiet faces that form Western Tatra then there lies circle roads that do just the very thing, almost hugging this part upon Slovak grounds. Basically to traverse via such then means the eye can slowly sweep. Think how light kind of paints these mountains over. To go around peaks then brings almost those quiet fields forth into view, fields dotted just somewhat by those huts one could hope remain. It can also bring quiet valleys of course where almost only shepherds pass to oversee! The area holds that somewhat rustic feeling. The very life they keep to such lands so true.

Places sort of to walk from come. You will be greeted upon high and asked that question when to rest or pause! It should be thought of because those villages you come near. These really stand. And that life. Very almost how things might look unchanged over long stretch! But mostly these circle. Those memories left within each glance!