Tatry (Tatras Mountains)
Although the 80km of the Tatras in the extreme south are only a small part of the entire range, they attract over 1.5 million visitors every year, with high peaks for climbing, excellent trails, cable cars and superb wintersports facilities. Zakopane, about 112km (70 miles) south of Kraków in the foothills, is a charming resort and wintersports centre. There is a fairytale atmosphere here, with its ‘gingerbread’ wooden cottages and many inhabitants who still wear national dress. There are four National Parks in the Tatras: Babiogórski, Gorczanski, Pieninski (also with the beautiful mountain gorge of the River Dunajec) and Tatrzanski. Camping is not allowed in the parks; climbing is, but only with a guide. Organised trips are available to the Koscieliska Valley, through beautiful countryside; the mountain of Kasprowy Wierch by means of a cable car offering spectacular views; and Morskie Oko, the glacial lake which is one of the Tatras’ main attractions.
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