Włosienica is a small meadow at the bottom of the Rybi Potok Valley, right along the trail to Morskie Oko - a spot nearly every hiker passes on the way to Poland's most famous Tatra lake, though few stop for long. That's a shame, since it makes a great place for a short break before the final stretch.

The meadow lies between the Rybi Potok stream and the road to Morskie Oko, surrounded by lower montane forest. The atmosphere is peaceful, though in summer the trail gets quite busy - it's one of the most popular routes in the entire Tatras. In winter the meadow is blanketed in snow, and the surrounding slopes create a scenic backdrop for a snowshoe or ski trip.

How to reach the summit

• From Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza - red trail, approx. 1:10 h, easy route
• From Włosienica to the shelter at Morskie Oko - 25 min, red trail
• From the Palenica Białczańska car park - paved road, approx. 1:55 h, easy route

Practical information

• At the southern edge of the meadow stands a large 180-seat food pavilion
• Car traffic is only permitted as far as Palenica Białczańska - Włosienica can only be reached by horse-drawn cart
• Above the meadow, at Szałasiska, lies the Polish Mountaineering Association's summer climbing camp

The meadow's name comes from a type of grass the local highlanders called 'włosienica' - a small but charming trace of the old pastoral life in this part of the Tatras.