Upłaziańska Kopa (1796 m a.s.l.) is a rare gem in the Western Tatras — a rounded, dome-shaped summit that welcomes hikers of all abilities. Sitting along the long north-western ridge of Ciemniak in the Czerwone Wierchy massif, it rewards visitors with open views and a peaceful, meadow-like atmosphere far removed from the crowds.

The summit is carpeted with low alpine turf, dotted here and there with spreading patches of dwarf mountain pine slowly reclaiming the slopes. In summer the hillsides glow green, in autumn they turn golden, and in winter a marked winter trail runs along the ridge between the Źródliska and Narciarski Żleb gullies. As the renowned Tatra guidebook author Władysław Cywiński put it, this is one of the very few Tatra peaks that can be approached 'from every direction without the slightest difficulty' — technical, navigational or otherwise. It is simply a place to slow down, breathe and enjoy the mountains.

• Kościeliska Valley (car park at the valley entrance) — red trail via Adamica, the Upłaz clearing and Chuda Przełączka towards Ciemniak; the path runs along the eastern slopes of Upłaziańska Kopa — ascent approx. 3 h 25 min, descent approx. 2 h 30 min, difficulty: easy
• Winter variant — the same route, but near the summit the trail follows the ridge between Źródliska and Narciarski Żleb, then continues over Przełączka przy Kopie and Chuda Turnia

• The summit lies within Tatra National Park — an entry fee applies
• On the north-western slopes, near a spot traditionally called 'Karczma', there are small natural springs with drinking water

Look out for two extraordinarily rare plants on these slopes — alpine clubmoss and three-scaled rush — species found in Poland exclusively in the Tatras, and even here only in a handful of locations.