Kamienista is a twin-summit peak on the main ridge of the Western Tatras, straddling the Polish-Slovak border - though its higher summit (2127 m) lies on the Slovak side. This is a wild, untamed place where nature rules and hikers have long been barred from reaching the top.

The mountain rises above three valleys: Pyszniańska, Kamienista and Hlina, with side ridges branching off called Dolinczański and Babi. On the Polish side, a dramatically steep 500-metre slope drops into the Pyszniańska Valley, cut by the Babie Nogi gully, source of the Babi Stream. On the north-eastern ridge lies the Hliński Rów - the largest ridge trench in the entire Tatras. The scenery here is rugged and remote, shaped by rock fractures and alaskite formations.

How to reach the summit

• The summit lies within a strict nature reserve and is currently closed to tourists
• A blue trail leads to the nearby Pyszniańska Pass from the Slovak side, starting at Podbanské

Practical information

• The peak lies within the 'Pyszna, Tomanowa, Pisana' strict nature reserve - reaching the summit is forbidden
• The higher summit (2127 m) is on the Slovak side, while the lower one (2122 m) sits exactly on the border

In 1909, Mariusz Zaruski made the first winter ascent of Kamienista and spotted a herd of 11 chamois on the summit. Rare plants such as the Carpathian fleabane and Hungarian fleabane also grow here, found in Poland only in the Tatras.