Zmarzły Staw — literally 'the Frozen Lake' — is one of the most striking mountain lakes in the High Tatras. Tucked away in the upper reaches of Ciężka Valley beneath the peaks of Wysoka and Wąwóz, it remains locked in ice for all but a few weeks each year. If you are looking for raw, untamed alpine scenery, this is your destination.

Sitting at 1,774 m above sea level, the lake covers an area of 2.19 ha and reaches a depth of 10 m. Enclosed by towering rocky ridges on all sides, sunlight barely penetrates long enough to melt the ice — the lake thaws for a maximum of just 3 weeks per year. The atmosphere is one of pure wilderness: silent, cold, and breathtaking. Even in midsummer you may find the surface still glinting with ice, making for an almost surreal alpine experience.

• Ciężka Valley trail (starting from the Tatra foothills) — route through Ciężka Valley towards the lake; demanding difficulty, exact time depends on starting point.

• The lake has no inflow — it is fed solely by precipitation and snowmelt. Water exits at the front of the lake as the Ciężki Stream.
• Ice cover may restrict access to the shoreline for most of the hiking season.

Its Hungarian name 'Jeges-tó' and German name 'Eissee' both translate to 'Ice Lake' — a fitting tribute to a place that refuses to let go of winter.