Kacza Valley (Slovak: Kačacia dolina) is one of the wildest and most remote corners of the Slovak High Tatras — a short but breathtaking valley where giant rock walls, glacial cirques and hidden mountain lakes create a landscape almost untouched by human presence. If you love raw, unspoiled mountains, this place will speak to your soul.

The valley splits into two distinct levels. The lower tier is surprisingly lush — dense alpine meadows, larch trees, and the emerald Green Duck Lake (Zielony Staw Kaczy) nestled among dwarf pines at 1,576 m. The stream flowing from the lake plunges over a rocky ledge as the Kacza Waterfall, dropping a total of 65 metres. Above, the upper tier opens into Kaczy Bańdzioch, a classic glacial cirque beneath the peaks of Zadni Gerlach, usually snow-covered and strewn with boulders. The towering walls of Ganek, Rumanov Peak and Zadni Gerlach that enclose the valley played a historic role in the development of Tatra mountaineering. In winter the valley takes on an arctic severity and is visited almost exclusively by experienced climbers.

• Łysa Polana (parking area) — blue trail via Bielovodská dolina and Litvorová kotlina to Rohatka pass; approx. 5 hrs 40 min ascent, 5 hrs descent; demanding
• From Rohatka to Zbojnícka chata hut: 55 min descent, 1 hr 15 min ascent

• The valley lies within TANAP (Tatra National Park) and is closed to free tourist access — the marked trail runs along its edge only
• An unmarked path leads from the trail to the shore of Green Duck Lake
• The route to Železná brána (Iron Gate) pass is permitted only with a licensed mountain guide
• No huts or tourist infrastructure inside the valley

Local legend says that on Midsummer Night a enchanted duck appears on the Green Lake, lays a golden egg, and vanishes into a rock crevice — giving the valley its name and an air of mystery that lingers long after you leave.