Łopata (1,957 m a.s.l.) sits quietly in the main ridge of the Western Tatras, tucked between Wołowiec to the west and Jarząbczy Wierch to the east. It may not be the tallest summit in the range, but the views it offers and the wild character of its northern face make it a rewarding stop on any ridge hike.

From the upper reaches of Łopata, the panorama opens up to the Rohacze massif, the Jamnickie Lakes, the Chochołowska and Jamnická valleys, and on clear days stretches all the way to Liptov and the Low Tatras. The northern Polish side plunges dramatically in rocky walls down to the glacial cirques of Dziurawe and Jarząbcza Rówień, with scree fans spread at their base — raw, untamed mountain scenery at its best. The southern slopes falling toward the Slovak Jamnická Valley are gentler and largely grassy. The northern ridge known as Czerwony Wierch separates the upper Chochołowska Valley from the Jarząbcza Valley, its slopes cloaked in a patchwork of alpine meadows and dwarf pine. Summer brings long, luminous days perfect for ridge walking, while autumn transforms the hillsides into a blaze of colour.

• From Wołowiec — red trail along the main Tatra ridge, approx. 2 h, moderate difficulty. Note: the trail traverses the southern slope of Łopata, bypassing the actual summit.
• Towards Jarząbczy Wierch — continuation of the red trail, approx. 1 h 45 min on the return, moderate.

• The Polish-Slovak border runs along the summit ridge — hiking here means crossing an international boundary on the trail.
• The marked red trail bypasses the top of Łopata; reaching the actual summit requires a short off-trail detour.
• On the Polish (northern) side, entry to Tatra National Park requires a valid Tatra Entry Card.

The name 'Łopata' (meaning 'shovel' in Polish) has no folk origin — it was never used by local shepherds, and its true etymology remains a mystery to this day.