Rysy
2,501 m
Slovakia, Poland
Also known as Meeraugspitze, Ρίσι, +4Also known as
Meeraugspitze · Ρίσι · Tengerszem-csúcs · რისი · Рысы · Risi
- Elevation
- 2,501 m
- Prominence
- 163 m
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Mountain hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 2
RegulationReported 1 Jan 2026
Since January 2026 the Tatra National Park no longer sells tickets for the Zakopane–Palenica Białczańska buses; pay the driver. Palenica parking remains online e-ticket only (PLN 36–75).
tpn.gov.pl
Routes
2The easier, Slovak approach: from Štrbské Pleso or the Popradské Pleso rail stop past the Popradské pleso lake, up the Mengusovská valley and a short section of chains, ladders and pegs to Chata pod Rysmi (2,250 m), then via the Váha saddle to the main (middle) summit. About 1,150 m of ascent and 4½ hours. Open only from June to October.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 10.5 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,284 m
- −106 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 2,501 m
- Time Up
- 5h 48m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 4h 14m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Start at Štrbské Pleso (1,355 m) and follow the red-marked balcony path to Popradské pleso (about 1 hour), or take the train to the Popradské Pleso stop and walk the blue-marked road to the lake (about 50 minutes). From the Chata pri Popradskom plese (1,500 m), continue up the Mengusovská dolina on the blue trail to the junction above the Žabí potok at about 1,600 m (35 minutes), then turn right onto the red trail towards the Žabie plesá lakes. Above the lakes a short protected section with metal steps, chains and ropes climbs the rock step below the hut; it is technically easy but busy with traffic in both directions. Chata pod Rysmi (2,250 m), the highest hut in the Tatras, is about 2 hours from the junction. From the hut the red trail climbs to the Váha saddle (about 2,337 m), follows the ridge and then traverses below it on the west side to the summit, about 45 minutes. The highest point is the middle summit, about 50 m south-east of the north-west (Polish) summit with its border marker and crowds. Descend the same way, about 3½ hours. The trail above the Žabí potok junction and to Chata pod Rysmi is closed by the national park every year from 1 November to 31 May. Bivouacking and walking off marked trails are prohibited in TANAP.
Start
Štrbské Pleso1,322 m
- Tatra Electric Railway (TEŽ) to Štrbské Pleso or to the Popradské Pleso stop; rack railway from Štrba to Štrbské Pleso.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Štrbské Pleso → Rysy | 10.5 | 1,284 | 106 | 5h 48m |
Waypoints
- Station: Štrbské Pleso1,322 m
- Hut: Chata pri Popradskom plese1,509 m
- Feature: Rázcestie nad Žabím potokom1,626 m
Leave the blue trail for the red trail to Rysy; seasonal closure point
- Hut: Chata pod Rysmi2,247 m
- Col: Váha2,322 m
- Summit: Rysy2,501 m
Key Passages
- Chains, ladders and steps on the rock step above the Žabie plesá
- Váha saddle
- Traverse below the ridge to the summit
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 85%Overview
A three-topped granite peak on the Polish–Slovak border in the High Tatras: the north-west summit (2,499–2,500 m) is Poland's highest point, the main middle summit (2,501 m) lies just inside Slovakia. Marked trails with chains reach it from Morskie Oko in Poland and, more easily, from Štrbské Pleso in Slovakia.
Rysy rises above the Morskie Oko and Czarny Staw lakes on the main ridge of the High Tatras. Its north-west summit carries the border and is the highest point of Poland, a fixture of the Crown of Polish Mountains, so it is one of the busiest summits in central Europe on summer days. The main summit, a couple of metres higher, is about 50 m to the south-east in Slovakia. The name means 'scratches' or 'gullies', after the couloirs on its north side; the German and Hungarian names mean 'Sea Eye peak' after Morskie Oko.
Two marked trails meet at the top. From Slovakia, a T3 path from Štrbské Pleso passes Popradské pleso and Chata pod Rysmi, the highest hut in the Tatras, with only a short section of chains and steps. From Poland, the route from Palenica Białczańska is a long day: 8 km of road to Morskie Oko, then a steep climb above Czarny Staw and about 360 m of chains on an exposed rib, the most difficult marked trail on the Polish side.
The view takes in most of the High Tatras, from Gerlachovský štít and Lomnický štít to the Polish Tatras. Both sides lie in national parks (TANAP in Slovakia, TPN in Poland) with strict rules: marked trails only, no bivouacking, and seasonal or night-time restrictions.
Climbing Notes
From Slovakia, Rysy is a long but straightforward mountain walk for anyone fit for 1,150 m of ascent and comfortable on a short chained step; spending a night at Chata pod Rysmi avoids the crowds. From Poland, you need a head for heights, sure-footedness on polished chained rock, and stamina for a 25 km, 10–13 hour day; queues on the chains are normal in July and August.
In summer, thunderstorms often build by midday: start early and be off the summit by early afternoon. On the Polish side, hiking in the Tatra National Park is not permitted between dusk and dawn from 1 March to 30 November, and the Palenica Białczańska car park must be booked online. The Slovak trail is closed from 1 November to 31 May. Snow lies in the gullies above Czarny Staw into late June; in winter the Polish route is a serious mountaineering objective (crampons, ice axe, avalanche awareness) and has seen fatal avalanches.
History
The first known ascent was made in 1840 by Ede Blásy with the guide Ján Ruman-Driečny the elder. The first winter ascent followed in 1884 by Theodor Wundt and Jakob Harvey. Chata pod Rysmi was built in 1932, enlarged with an upper floor in 1977, repeatedly damaged by avalanches and renovated in 2010–2011.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Not advisable
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Slovak trail closed; Polish side winter mountaineering only, avalanche risk
- Feb
- Slovak trail closed; avalanche risk
- Mar
- Slovak trail closed; winter conditions
- Apr
- Slovak trail closed; spring avalanches
- May
- Slovak trail closed until 31 May; deep snow
- Jun
- Slovak trail and Chata pod Rysmi open from 1 June; snow in the Polish couloirs into late June
- Jul
- Main season; very crowded; midday thunderstorms
- Aug
- Main season; queues on the Polish chains
- Sep
- Often stable and quieter
- Oct
- Snow and ice likely; Slovak trail and hut close on 31 October
- Nov
- Slovak trail closed from 1 November; winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Chata pod Rysmi (30 places, 1 June – 31 October): book by email only (chatapodrysmi2250@gmail.com). Schronisko PTTK nad Morskim Okiem books up months ahead in summer.
- Fees
- Tatra National Park (TPN, Poland) entrance ticket: PLN 11 standard, PLN 5.50 reduced (2026); buy online or at the gate
- Palenica Białczańska parking (TPN): PLN 36–75 per car online, dynamic pricing, higher on the day; online e-ticket only, no cash
- Chata pod Rysmi: about EUR 64–65 per person per night with breakfast and dinner, plus local tax; club discounts
- Rules
- Slovakia (TANAP): the red trail above the Žabí potok junction and the trail to Chata pod Rysmi are closed every year from 1 November to 31 May
- Poland (TPN): no hiking between dusk and dawn from 1 March to 30 November
- Both national parks: marked trails only; bivouacking and camping prohibited; no dogs or drones in TPN
- Palenica Białczańska parking only with an advance TPN e-ticket; when sold out online, no parking on site; sleeping in vehicles prohibited
- Getting There
Zakopane (Poland); Štrbské Pleso and Poprad (Slovakia)
Poprad-Tatry (TAT); Kraków (KRK)
- Slovakia: Tatra Electric Railway to Štrbské Pleso or the Popradské Pleso stop; paid parking at Štrbské Pleso
- Poland: buses and minibuses from Zakopane to Palenica Białczańska (about 30–40 minutes), tickets from the driver; car park by online reservation
- Morskie Oko road: 8 km on foot, horse carts, or the pilot e-bus to Włosienica (suspended in winter)
Hazards
- Exposure
- Weather
- Rockfall
- Avalanche
Huts & Shelters
3- 1,410 m
Schronisko PTTK nad Morskim OkiemHutStaffed
- 1,500 m
Chata pri Popradskom pleseHutStaffed
- 2,250 m
Chata pod RysmiHutStaffedBooking required
30 beds · 1 June – 31 October (2026)