Zadni Ornak (1867 m a.s.l.) is the highest point of the Ornak ridge in the Western Tatras — a rocky, atmospheric summit that stands out clearly from the otherwise grassy, gentle ridge. If you are looking for a scenic hike away from the crowds, with a genuine sense of wild mountain solitude, this is your place.
The summit itself is rocky, covered in pale green and grey lichens, while the lower slopes are draped in rush-grass whose stems turn a vivid red in autumn sunlight. Stretching about 300 metres to the east lies a striking group of rocks called Siwe Skały ('Grey Rocks') — a slightly lower secondary top of Zadni Ornak, equally picturesque. The Ornak ridge separates the upper Kościeliska Valley from the upper Chochołowska Valley, so panoramic views open up in both directions. In summer the silence is broken only by the wind; in autumn the slopes glow with warm colours; and in winter, for experienced hikers, the ridge offers a true alpine feel under a blanket of snow.
How to reach the summitFun fact: the slopes of Ornak were once summer pastures of the Hala Ornak sheepfold, and today their botanically rich flora — including the exceptionally rare stiff sedge — makes this ridge a favourite among nature lovers.