Zakopane Dog-friendly Itinerary – 3 Days of Hiking
An insight into the best dog-friendly places that may be necessary for Your four-legged friend in Zakopane and trails to take a walk with Your furry friend.
Zakopane dog-friendly itinerary is finally here because exploring Tatra National Park in Zakopane, Poland with a dog may be challenging because of all of the restrictions regarding dogs and other pets on the trails. However, there are trails in Tatra National Park where you can go hiking with your dog on a leash, such as Droga Pod Reglami and Chocholowska Valley.
In addition to the restrictions in Tatra National Park, there are plenty of alternative trails outside the park in Zakopane and its surrounding area that are perfect for dog walking. They will offer more flexible dog-friendly policies, giving dog owners the freedom to relish the stunning scenery without being bound by the park’s rules and regulations. Furthermore, these trails are often quieter, allowing for a more serene hiking experience. It is vital to remember to follow the rules, bring enough water and snacks for both you and your furry friend, and clean up after your pet. By doing so, these alternative trails can provide a fantastic opportunity for dog owners to explore the Tatra Mountains region while bonding with their pets.
Entry to Tatra National Park
The entrance fee for TPN is approximately 2 euros per person. You can get multiday tickets too, but it may not be worth it if You’re with Dog, because all the trails in TPN are prohibited for dogs and other animals except two trails Droga pod Reglami and Siwa Polana – Chocholowska Valley. You can buy parking tickets for Tatra National Park together with Your entry tickets in advance HERE.
Must have on this trip: Hiking shoes, Your dog, Leash, Muzzle, Clothing – layers (for hiking)
Overview
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Zakopane Dog-friendly Itinerary
Dog-Friendly and Essential Places For Dogs
Vet
Zoo Shop
Walking Your Dog in Zakopane
Tatra National Park
The Best Places/Trails to Walk Your Dog in Zakopane
Day 1
Summary: Once you arrive at Wielka Krokiew, you can begin your hike in Tatra National Park with your dog. Basically, this will serve as a warm-up for the next two days of exploring the stunning park.
Sights and activities:
Generally considered an easy, dog-friendly route of 11.1 km one way, it takes an average of 3 h 6 min to complete one way. In fact, the area is very popular for hiking, mountain biking, and running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. Opened year-round trail offers beautiful views anytime. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.
The trail begins at the Wielka Krokiew ski jumping hill and ends in Siwa Polana. Marked in black to Kiry, and then it changes to green. Mostly the route is covered by sand and gravel, but also has some short more rocky sections which might be challenging for bikers. Right after Kiry, you may expect an asphalt section. From Siwa Polana, decide to return along the same trail or take a shuttle bus to Zakopane.
Droga pod Reglami connects the exits of a couple of popular mountain valleys and runs along the main road, so the route can be easily modified or shortened. It’s allowed to walk Your dog on this trail. The trail leads to the bottom of Chochołowska Valley, the second trail available for pets.
Day 2
Summary: Today You will hike in the second part of Droga Pod Reglami – Siwa Polana to Chocholowska Valley. Certainly, make sure to arrive early in the morning because it will be full of people.
Sights and activities:
First of all, Siwa Polana – Chocholowska Valley is a 14.8-km out-and-back, dog-friendly trail, generally considered a moderately challenging route that takes an average of 3h and 56 min to complete.
While exploring, you’ll likely encounter other people as this is a popular area for hiking and mountain biking. The Chochołowska Valley, the longest and largest valley in the Tatra Mountains, offers scenic views. The first stage of the trail leads along a flat asphalt road from the parking lot to Polana Huciska, followed by a stone path, which rises slightly more uphill towards the end.
The PTTK Mountain Hut on Polana Chochołowska provides accommodation and a restaurant. Moreover, there is a seasonal tourist train that offers rides to Polana Hucisko and a bicycle rental service available. It’s worth noting that dogs are allowed on the trail running along the bottom of the valley from Siwa Polana to the Mountain Hut on Polana Chochołowska, making it the second trail opened to four-legged visitors, apart from Droga pod Reglami.
Day 3
Summary: Exploring more of the breathtaking views of Tatra National Park from a distance is planned for today. You can choose to go on a hike or use the funicular to reach the top of Gubalowka. All in all it offers stunning panoramic views of the park. It’s another great place to explore with Your four-legged companion. If You’re using funicular take a muzzle with You because dogs can get in, only using a muzzle. Above all, Gubalowka is a great place to visit with Your kids too because of the gravitation slide and other attractions for kids.
Sights and activities:
This 2.9 km out-and-back trail near Zakopane is generally considered a moderately challenging, but dog-friendly route. It takes an average of 1 h 32 min to complete. Besides, it gives You scenic views of the Tatra mountains and a little bit of a challenge to get up there. Take a lot of water for Your dog too, because it’s challenging also for dogs to get up there.
In any case, You have the option to choose between two different trails to hike up or down, both of which are indicated on the map. The trail on the left side of the Funicular base station along the funicular route and another one on the right side of the funicular. Yet, on the right side, the route will be a bit longer but not as steep and popular as the one on the left, next to the funicular base.
Additionally, on top of Gubalowka are toilets, a viewpoint, restaurants, and a huge souvenir market. You’ll find many attractions and activities there too, such as a Gravitation slide and ropes park. Of course, spend there at least 2 hours, relaxing and resting after the hike.
When everyone is tired and taken in the views of Tatra National Park it’s time for You and Your dog/s to relax and rest. Leave Your dog/s at home to rest after long hours of walking challenging and not-so-challenging trails for them. Finally, it’s time to go to the Water park – Chochołowska Baths. Relax in the thermal waters or enjoy some fun slides and pools while your four-legged friend is safe at home resting from walking and their owners, because after the Gubalowka they will be ready to sleep for a long time.
Chocholowska Baths is a thermal spa located in the village of Chocholow in the Tatra Mountains of southern Poland. Visitors to the spa can enjoy a range of thermal pools, saunas, and wellness treatments, all while surrounded by stunning mountain views.
Furthermore, the thermal water in Chocholowska Baths is sourced from a local spring and is naturally rich in minerals and trace elements. As a result, it offers several benefits for skin, joint, and muscle conditions, as well as promoting overall relaxation. Moreover, the spa features a variety of pools, both outdoor and indoor, with different temperatures and water jets, including a large thermal pool, a Jacuzzi, a children’s pool, and smaller pools.
In addition to pools, Chocholowska Baths also provides a range of saunas and steam rooms, such as a Finnish sauna, an infrared sauna, an herbal sauna, and a salt cave. Besides, the spa offers massage, beauty treatments, and other wellness services for visitors to indulge in.
Finally, Chocholowska Baths is a renowned tourist destination in the Tatra Mountains that operates year-round, although some facilities may have restricted hours or be closed during the winter months.
Are you looking for another paw-some trip with your furry friend?
A Paw-some Trip: Hiking in Krkonoše with Dog
Explore the stunning beauty of the Czech wilderness as you hike down Snežka, visit the Timber Trail, discover the Adršpach Rock Formations in Braumovsko and journey from Špindlerovy Boudy to Maiden Rocks. Krkonoše is a national park that offers stunning views, diverse landscapes, and rich wildlife.