Nature in Zakopane

Kasprowy Wierch

A 1,987 m summit on the Slovak border, reached by the cable car from Kuznice for a ridge-top panorama.

Reviewed and updated July 2026

Kasprowy Wierch is a 1987 metre peak on the ridge between Poland and Slovakia, and the easiest way in Zakopane to stand on a high Tatra summit. A cable car carries you most of the way, so you trade a long climb for a twenty minute ride and a short walk to the top.

The Kuznice cable car

The cable car starts at Kuznice, on the edge of Zakopane, and climbs in two stages. It pauses at the mid station of Myslenickie Turnie, around 1352 metres, where you change to the second car up to just under the summit. The whole run covers a little over four kilometres. This is the only high mountain cableway of its kind in Poland, so it is busy, and tickets are timed.

On the summit ridge

From the upper station a short path reaches the summit and the border ridge, with the observatory building nearby. On a clear day the view runs deep into the Slovak High Tatras on one side and back over the Polish valleys on the other. It is a starting point for ridge walks, so many people arrive by cable car and walk down. The weather changes fast and it is much colder and windier than in town, even in summer.

Getting to Kasprowy Wierch

Kuznice is a short bus or taxi ride from the centre of Zakopane near Krupowki, or about an hour on foot. From there the cable car does the climbing. See the Zakopane guide for getting around, and Gubalowka for an easier viewpoint on the opposite side of town.

Best time to ride up

Go on a clear, settled morning, as cloud often closes in by afternoon and the view is the whole point. Summer and the ski season are busiest. Book the timed ticket ahead in peak periods. Take a warm layer whatever the forecast in town.

Good to know

The summit sits on the Slovak border at 1987 metres and is far colder than Zakopane. Tickets are timed and sell out in peak season, so book ahead and check the cable car operator's official channels for hours and prices.

Common questions about Kasprowy Wierch

How high is Kasprowy Wierch?

The summit is 1987 metres above sea level, on the Polish-Slovak border.

Do I have to hike?

No. The cable car from Kuznice takes you almost to the top, with a short walk to the summit. Many visitors ride up and walk down.

Frequently asked questions

The summit is 1,987 metres above sea level, on the ridge that forms the Polish-Slovak border. It is far colder and windier than Zakopane, even in summer, so take a warm layer whatever the forecast in town.

No. The cable car from Kuznice takes you almost to the top in two stages, with a short walk to the summit. Many visitors ride up and walk down, since it is a starting point for ridge walks.

Kuznice is a short bus or taxi ride from the centre of Zakopane near Krupowki, or about an hour on foot. Tickets are timed and sell out in peak season, so book ahead and check the operator's official channels for hours and prices.

Go on a clear, settled morning, as cloud often closes in by afternoon and the view is the whole point. Summer and the ski season are the busiest periods.