Black Pond and Rysy

The trail leading from PTTK Shelter in Morskie Oko to Rysy is visually attractive, but difficult and dedicated for more experienced tourists. It requires better condition and more finesse on hard and exposed terrain. Tourists departing for Rysy should be well equipped, obligatory with helmets, and sometimes (especially in early summer), pickaxe and crampons due to long lasting snow.

When going on Rysy it's best to go around Morskie Oko by its left edge. After reaching Black Pond under Rysy, we pass the green trail branching to Mięguszowiecka Pass under Chłopek. We advance further after red signs which guide us trough the left edge of the pond. Next we begin to approach the gully towards Bula under Rysy. On this section it is common to encounter the late snow, very tough in summer and extremely dangerous because of slipping hazard. After arriving at the flat peak of Bula pod Rysami, the Rysa steep gully approach begins. The trail leads through its right, rocky border and it's provided with chains. On this stretch we should watch out for rocks being dropped by other tourists. Stone perch leads out to the ridge, from where we got over a dozen minutes of climbing in exposed terrain towards the peak. Rysy has two summits. While polish one is the highest point in country (2499 MASL), the slovak top is 4 meters higher and counts 2503 MASL. Rysy panorama is one of the most beautiful in Tatra. From the top we can go down on the slovak side towards Shelter under Waga (around 30 minutes from top), and Mięguszowiecka Valley. In such case it's best to consider going back to Poland with public transport.