THE TATRA MOUNTAINS
The highest range in the whole Carpathians, the Tatras are considered by the lowlanders to be the only "true" mountains in Poland. The Tatras are a summer favourite with tourist groups and individual hikers, while the throngs of skiers they attract in winter are just as big. Many people consider them as the most beautiful place in the country. The Tatras have plenty to offer. They are Poland's only alpine-type mountains with scenic trails and breathtaking vistas. Although small in size, comparing to other mountain ranges in the world, they offer incredible variety of landscape including towering mountains, sheer cliffs, broad glaciated valleys, glittering tarns, raging creeks and diverse vegetation and unique wildlife. The beauty of the Tatra Mountains have been described by many poets and painters and gave inspiration to music composers such including Kazimierz Przerwa Tetmajer, Jan Kasprowicz, Stefan Zeromski, Kornel Makuszynski, Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiweicz, Wojciech Kossak czy Karol Szymanowski. To appreciate their beauty, you don't have to climb the peaks - just take a walk in one of the picturesque valleys such as the Dolina Chocholowska, Dolina Koscieliska, Dolina Strazyska or Dolina Rybiego Potoku. In winter many slopes become ski runs. The unique flora and fauna of the Tatras is protected by the Tatra National Park set up in 1955 (21,400 hectares).
Dolina Chocholowska
Dolina Chocholowska is the westernmost valley in the Polish Tatras. Although less famous than her easter neighbour - Koscieliska Valley is equally beatuful (especially in autumn and spring when the flowers bloom) but less crowded.
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More pictures from Poland
Poland - Table of Contents
© Jacek Piwowarczyk, Poland, 2005 |