Tatra National Park

The movement to protect the Tatras began in the late 19th century. Initial attempts to establish a national park, in collaboration with Czechoslovakia, were made in 1925. Eventually, in 1937, the park was formally created on land that was under the authority of the state forests. In 1947, Tatra Park was established as a separate administrative unit.

In 1954, the Polish Government decided to create Tatra National Park. Originally spanning an area of 215.56 km2 (83.23 sq mi), it has slightly decreased in size and currently covers 211.64 km2 (81.71 sq mi). The park consists of 151.91 km2 (58.65 sq mi) of forest and the remaining area is primarily composed of meadows. Strictly protected zones make up 115.14 km2 (44.46 sq mi), with 61.49 km2 (23.74 sq mi) designated as forest ecosystems.

In 1992, the Polish and Slovakian national parks in the Tatras were jointly recognized as a transboundary biosphere reserve by UNESCO under its Man and the Biosphere Programme.

Mountains

Poland's National Park encompasses one of the two magnificent Alpine mountain ranges found in the country. The Polish Tatra range, which forms a portion of the Western Carpathian Mountains, is divided into two distinct sections: the High Tatras (Tatry Wysokie) and the Western Tatras (Tatry Zachodnie). This awe-inspiring landscape showcases rugged peaks, deep hollows, and an abundance of striking rock formations. Among them, the highest peak in Poland, known as Rysy, stands tall at an elevation of 2,499 meters (8,199 feet) above mean sea level.

Caves

The park boasts approximately 650 caves, with the Wielka Sniezna cave system being the most extensive, stretching over an impressive 23.7 kilometers (14.7 miles) and descending to a remarkable depth of 808 meters (2,651 feet). Out of this cave system, six caves are accessible to the public, providing a captivating underground experience.

Water

Numerous streams meander through the park, with the longest one stretching up to 20 kilometers (12 miles). Waterfalls, such as the renowned Wodogrzmoty Mickiewicza, are highly popular among tourists, offering a breathtaking sight. The park is also home to the Siklawa Falls, the highest waterfall in the area, cascading down from a height of 70 meters (230 feet).

Within the High Tatra landscape, more than 30 mountain lakes, locally known as "staw" in Polish, dot the terrain. These pristine bodies of water hold great significance in the park's ecosystem. Among them, the notable lakes include Morskie Oko, boasting an expansive area of 349,000 square meters and reaching a maximum depth of 50.8 meters (167 feet), and Wielki Staw, spanning an area of 344,000 square meters with a maximum depth of 79.3 meters (260 feet).

Below 1,250 meters (4,100 ft), the predominant vegetation in the area consists of silver fir (Abies alba) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) forests. As the elevation increases to around 1,550 meters (5,090 ft), these forests give way to European spruce (Picea abies) forests. At even higher altitudes, reaching up to 1,800 meters (5,900 ft), the landscape transforms into meadows and grasslands. The highest regions, situated above 1,800 meters (5,900 ft), harbor alpine flora habitats.

Among the distinctive species found in this region are Swiss pine (Pinus cembra), edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum), and stemless carline thistle (Carlina acaulis). During springtime in the Kościeliska Valley, one can observe vast fields of giant crocus (Crocus vernus, syn: Crocus scepusiensis), adding to its notable beauty.

The National Park serves as a home to several endemic fauna species, as well as numerous endangered and protected ones. Some of the notable animals inhabiting the park include the Tatra chamois and Alpine marmot, both under protection since the mid-19th century. Additionally, the park is home to brown bears, Eurasian lynxes, gray wolves, European otters, and the lesser spotted eagle.

The Górales, also known as the Goral people, reside in the Podhale region of the Tatras. Their unique culture encompasses various aspects such as the Podhale dialect, traditional music, and artisan customs including clothing, wooden architecture, cheesemaking, and crafts. The heritage of the Górale culture has primarily been transmitted through oral storytelling.

Human activities have historically impacted the Tatra mountains area. During the summer, livestock such as goats, sheep, and cows grazed on the meadows, leading to soil erosion. Additionally, in the 18th and 19th centuries, several mines and ironworks were established, relying heavily on local timber resources.

Presently, the region faces environmental threats, including the encroachment of the rapidly developing town of Zakopane and air pollution originating from industrial zones in Kraków, Ostrava, and Orava. Poaching and habitat destruction pose risks to the local fauna.

The primary challenge to the ecosystem of the park is the substantial number of tourists it attracts. The current infrastructure, including hotels and parking facilities, proves inadequate to accommodate the volume of visitors.

Tourism in the Tatras originated in the late 19th century and continues to thrive in the 21st century, making it the most popular national park in Poland.

Tatra National Park boasts an extensive network of over 270 kilometers (170 miles) of hiking trails.