Western Tatras: Morskie Oko lake

Just like a few years ago, I started the new photographic season with a warm-up trip to Morskie Oko. But this time, I wasn’t alone. Walking in company somehow made it feel faster. No, it wasn’t about the walking speed; it was about the opportunity for conversation. Thanks to my companion I didn’t find myself wondering as often “Where is the destination, why is it so far, and why did someone build an asphalt 'highway' here”.

This must be my fourth visit to Morskie Oko. Because the rule is that each subsequent visit to the same place it surprises me less, it was harder to find interesting shots. Some photos even seem like repetitions from before. The grayness and dark green—dominant colors of late winter without snow didn’t help either. But on the other hand, it was still a nice walk. Not only did the company make it enjoyable, but it was also the first opportunity in 2024 to get out and kick off the new photographic season. I even captured a newlyweds in the middle of the frozen lake! The wedding session photos will have a unique character, and the bride probably also caught a unique pneumonia as well ;)

The last two photos in the gallery below were taken from the car, at a stop on the way back home. The view of the Tatra Mountains from Podhale region is exceptional. I even left a pin on Google Maps to come back specifically for distant shots of the Tatras someday.

The route map with an elevation profile is available here. The distance was 16.5 km, and the step count was 24,000+.