Kotlinowy Stawek is a small, secluded tarn tucked away in the Zielona Gąsienicowa Valley, prized precisely for its modest size and untouched, wild character. It's the kind of spot that rewards hikers looking for a quiet moment away from the crowds heading to the main Tatra peaks.

The pond sits at 1680 meters above sea level, in an area known as the Kotliny, beneath the eastern slopes of Beskid and the Liliowe Pass, just about 100 meters from the larger Zielony Staw Gąsienicowy. It's a young glacial formation - a so-called kettle lake, formed from blocks of dead ice left behind after the last glaciation. Its surface covers only around 0.021 hectares, and its depth rarely exceeds 0.5 meters, which means it can dry out completely during dry spells, leaving behind a layer of dark mud on the bottom. Smaller, temporary pools sometimes appear nearby as well. The surrounding slopes and the intimate, quiet atmosphere of this spot make it especially rewarding in spring, when the pond is at its fullest.

• Murowaniec shelter - green connector trail towards Liliowe Pass, easy to moderate difficulty
• A black trail leading to Świnicka Przełęcz pass also runs nearby

• The pond can dry out seasonally - it's best seen full of water in spring or after rainfall
• Located close to the popular Zielony Staw Gąsienicowy, making it easy to combine both spots in one hike

Worth remembering: Kotlinowy Stawek is a genuine relic of the Ice Age - a quiet witness to the times when blocks of ancient ice still lingered in the Gąsienicowa Valley.