Mały Staw Polski — or 'Little Polish Tarn' — is one of those quietly enchanting spots in the Tatra Mountains that rewards those who take the time to seek it out. Tucked away in the Valley of Five Polish Lakes, between Przedni Staw and Wielki Staw, this small alpine lake sits at 1668 m above sea level and carries a charm all of its own.

Don't let its modest size fool you. The lake is remarkably shallow and changeable — its depth fluctuates from just a few centimetres to over two metres depending on rainfall, and its dark muddy bottom gives the water an almost mysterious quality. The marshy meadows surrounding it bloom with mountain flora: roseroot, narrow-leaved bellflower, monkshood and lovage. In winter, the lake freezes solid right to the bottom. In summer and autumn, the reflections of the surrounding ridges in its still surface create a scene that feels genuinely removed from the world.

• From Morskie Oko — red trail via Świstówka Roztocka, approx. 2 h up, 1 h 40 min down, moderate difficulty
• From the Valley of Five Polish Lakes refuge (approx. 5 min from the lake) you can continue to Zawrat pass — approx. 1 h 40 min up, 1 h 30 min down, demanding

• Located within Tatra National Park — staying on marked trails is mandatory
• The TPN ranger station by the lake occupies the site of a historic shelter; the tourist refuge now stands by Przedni Staw
• The lake freezes to its bed in winter — access outside summer may be limited

Mały Staw Polski holds a remarkable record: it is the highest-altitude known habitat of the alpine newt in all of Poland — a tiny amphibian that has made this unassuming little tarn its mountain home.