Rusinowa Polana

Rusinowa Polana is a large mountain meadow in the Polish High Tatras, roughly 20 hectares of open grassland lying between about 1,180 and 1,300 metres, and it is one of the best panoramic viewpoints in the Polish part of the range. People come for the panorama, which opens onto the Slovak High Tatras and the Belianske Tatras, with peaks including Hawrań, Murań, Gerlach and Rysy in view. Sheep still graze the meadow, so the walk also gives you a working shepherding landscape rather than an empty overlook.

The meadow sits on an open slope between Gęsia Szyja and Goły Wierch, and because it faces south and east the view runs straight across the border into Slovakia. On a clear day you can pick out the rocky wall of the Belianske Tatras, including Hawrań and Murań, alongside the higher granite summits of the High Tatras such as Gerlach and Rysy. The unobstructed line of sight is the reason it is ranked among the top viewpoints in the Polish Tatras, and it is best appreciated by walking the length of the clearing rather than stopping at the first vantage point.

Rusinowa Polana is still used for grazing, continuing a shepherding tradition that has shaped these high meadows for centuries. Sheep on the grass, bells and the seasonal presence of shepherds give the place a living character that sets it apart from a purely scenic lookout. It is also known for its sunrises, when the eastern-facing meadow catches first light over the Slovak peaks. If you want that, plan an early start and check conditions before committing to a pre-dawn walk in the mountains.

About 700 metres from the meadow stands the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Jaworzyna on Wiktorówki, a small mountain shrine tied to the shepherding culture of the area. It sits within easy walking distance, so many visitors combine the viewpoint with a short detour to the sanctuary. The two together make a natural half-day objective: open panorama on the meadow, then a quiet, wooded spot a few minutes away.

Rusinowa Polana lies in the High Tatras east of Zakopane and is usually reached from Wierch Poroniec or Palenica Białczańska, making it a straightforward day out from town. It suits walkers who want genuine Tatra scenery without a summit climb, and it pairs well with other outings covered in our Zakopane guide. As with any walk here, distances and trail times depend on your starting point and the season, so confirm the current route and conditions before you set off.