Mała Dolinka is the western of two upper branches of the Strążyska Valley, tucked above the Siklawica waterfall, right beneath the massive north walls of Giewont. It offers a glimpse of Giewont from a wild, rarely seen angle - though today only from a distance, since the valley itself is closed to hikers.

The surroundings are dramatic: the slopes of Styrżnik descend on the east, Mały and Wielki Bacuch on the west, while the entire southern horizon is dominated by the towering walls of Giewont. Three major gullies feed into the upper reaches of the valley - Żleb Szczerby, Żleb Kirkora and Warzecha - along with two smaller ones, Styrżnikowy Żleb and Cisowy Żleb. At the foot of Żleb Kirkora lies a small cave known as Szczelina w Żlebie Kirkora. A marked trail once led through here via Warzecha and the Bacug pass to Giewont, but the valley is now off-limits to both tourists and climbers. In winter, avalanches falling from Giewont's north face make the area extremely dangerous.

• From Polana Strążyska - reaching the base of the Giewont wall takes about 30 minutes on an easy path; the threshold with the Siklawica waterfall is bypassed via short switchbacks on the left, followed by a gently rising path to the tree line and about 200 m of scree up to the wall

• The valley is currently closed to both tourists and climbers
• Despite the access ban, litter carried down from the busy Giewont trail accumulates here every year
• Home to the rare broad-leaved chickweed (Cerastium latifolium), found in Poland only in the Tatras

This hidden corner of Giewont's massif shows its rawer, quieter side - a reminder of how wild these mountains remain just beyond the crowded trails.