Czarnostawiańska Siklawa is a stunning cascading waterfall tucked into the High Tatras of Poland, plunging from the rocky threshold of the Czarnostawiański Cirque above the iconic Morskie Oko lake. If you are already making the trip to Morskie Oko, this waterfall is the perfect reason to keep going just a little further.

The waterfall is fed by the Czarnostawiański Stream, which flows out of Czarny Staw pod Rysami — the dramatic black lake sitting beneath Poland's highest peak. The water drops in two separate stages: once just below Czarny Staw at around 1,570 m, and again a short distance above Morskie Oko at around 1,460 m. Both cascades can be admired from the trail without any detour. Spring and early summer bring the most powerful flow as snowmelt fills the stream, while autumn wraps the whole valley in warm golden tones.

• PTTK Mountain Shelter at Morskie Oko — black trail towards Czarny Staw pod Rysami, approx. 50 min uphill, 40 min downhill, moderate difficulty. The trail runs slightly west of the stream but both waterfall cascades are clearly visible along the way.

• The waterfall is visible directly from the trail — no off-trail scrambling needed.
• This route connects two of the most famous lakes in the Polish Tatras: Morskie Oko and Czarny Staw pod Rysami.

As you hike past the cascades, keep in mind that the dark, deep waters of Czarny Staw pod Rysami — one of the deepest lakes in the Tatras — are waiting just above, making this short trail one of the most rewarding walks in the entire mountain range.