— Expeditions
Poland 7 Summits
The Ultimate Tatras Traverse
Moderate
6 Days
7 Summits
Price
€1699
Per Person
Overview
Poland 7 Summits – is part of the Global Seven Summit Series. Embark on an unforgettable six-day expedition across seven of Poland’s most iconic Tatra summits. Journey through dramatic mountain landscapes, rugged ridgelines, remote alpine valleys, and breathtaking panoramic views as you experience one of Europe’s most spectacular mountain ranges.
Epic Polish Traverse
1. Ciemniak (2,096 m)
2. Krzesanica (2,122 m)
3. Małołączniak (2,096 m)
4. Kopa Kondracka (2,005 m)
5. Giewont (1,894 m)
6. Beskid (2,012 m)
7. Kozi Wierch (2,291 m)
Location
Poland
Duration
6 Days
Route
Hut 2 Hut
Grade
Moderate
Altitude
7 Summits
Activity
8 Hours
itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Poland.
Welcome to the start of your Poland 7 Summits Expedition.
Upon arrival at Kraków International Airport, you’ll be met by the Black Mountaineering team and transferred by private expedition vehicle to the mountain town of Zakopane, the gateway to the Polish Tatra Mountains.
After checking into the team hotel, we’ll hold our meet and greet, complete a full equipment check, and conduct an expedition safety briefing before heading out for a warm-up hike through the spectacular Kościeliska Valley, renowned for its dramatic limestone gorges, caves, and beautiful alpine scenery.
Overnight: Team Hotel, Zakopane
Included: Airport Transfer • Guiding • Accommodation • Dinner
Day 2
Western Tatra Ridge Traverse.
Today we begin the Poland 7 Summits Challenge with an unforgettable journey across the spectacular Western Tatra Ridge.
Starting in the Kościeliska Valley, we ascend to Ciemniak (2,096m) before continuing across the impressive limestone ridge to Krzesanica (2,122m), Małołączniak (2,096m), Kopa Kondracka (2,005m), and finally Giewont (1,894m)—one of Poland’s most iconic mountain peaks.
Throughout the day you’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views across the Tatras while stopping for a ridge-top packed lunch before descending into the beautiful Kondratowa Valley.
Overnight: Mountain Hut
Included: Breakfast • Packed Lunch • Dinner • Guiding • All Expedition Transport
Day 3
High Tatras Crossing to Gąsienicowa Valley.
Today we continue our journey through the spectacular High Tatras, linking mountain ridges, alpine passes, and panoramic summits.
Leaving the Kondratowa Valley, we climb over Sucha Kopa (1,895m), Goryczkowa Czuba (1,912m), and Kasprowy Wierch (1,987m), where we’ll enjoy lunch at the famous mountain café.
In the afternoon, we continue across Beskid (2,012m) before crossing Liliowe Pass, Świnicka Przełęcz, and Czuba nad Karbem, descending through the beautiful Gąsienicowa Valley to our mountain hut.
Overnight: Mountain Hut
Included: Breakfast • Packed Lunch • Dinner • Guiding • All Expedition Transport
Day 4
Five Lakes Valley Traverse.
Today we journey into one of the most spectacular and remote regions of the Polish High Tatras.
Leaving the Gąsienicowa Valley, we ascend to Krzyżne Pass (2,112m) before descending into the breathtaking Five Lakes Valley (Dolina Pięciu Stawów), a landscape of crystal-clear alpine lakes surrounded by towering granite peaks.
We’ll stop for lunch at the renowned Five Lakes Valley Mountain Hut before continuing the day’s adventure. Subject to weather conditions and guide assessment, we’ll make the ascent of Kozi Wierch (2,291m)—the highest mountain located entirely within Poland. If conditions are unsuitable, we’ll instead visit the spectacular Siklawa Waterfall, the largest waterfall in the Polish Tatras.
Overnight: Mountain Hut
Included: Breakfast • Packed Lunch • Dinner • Guiding • All Expedition Transport
Day 5
Świstówka Pass to Morskie Oko.
On our final mountain day, we leave the Five Lakes Valley and cross Świstówka Pass, descending to the breathtaking Morskie Oko—the famous “Eye of the Sea”, widely regarded as the most beautiful alpine lake in Poland.
Subject to weather conditions and guide assessment, there is an optional ascent of Szpiglasowy Wierch (2,172m). Alternatively, you can enjoy a more relaxed walk around the lake and visit the surrounding waterfalls before lunch at the historic Schronisko PTTK Morskie Oko mountain hut.
After lunch, we descend on foot to Palenica Białczańska (approximately 2 hours), where our expedition vehicle will be waiting for the transfer back to Zakopane.
In the evening, we celebrate the successful completion of the Poland 7 Summits Challenge with a team dinner in Zakopane.
Overnight: Hotel, Zakopane
Included: Breakfast • Celebration Dinner • Guiding • All Expedition Transport
Day 6
Final departure.
After breakfast, the Black Mountaineering team will transfer you to Kraków International Airport or Poprad Airport for your onward flight home.
As you leave the High Tatras, you’ll take with you unforgettable memories, lifelong friendships, and the achievement of completing the Poland 7 Summits Challenge.
Included
What’s Included
- Black Mountaineering Elite Expert Guiding Team
- Comprehensive pre-expedition training plan
- All accommodation as per the itinerary (mountain huts and hotels)
- All meals as detailed in the itinerary (breakfast, packed lunches and dinners)
- All in-country transport throughout the expedition
- Official Seven Summit Series Poland Medallion and presentation box upon successful completion
What’s Not Included
- International flights to and from Poland
- Personal travel and mountain rescue insurance
- Personal expenses, snacks and drinks
- Any item not specifically listed under What’s Included
Available Dates
How Fit Do You Need to Be to Complete the Poland 7 Summits Challenge?
The Poland 7 Summits Challenge is a fun hut to hut multi-day trekking challenge, carrying 15kg of all you own personal equipment, and requires a combination of cardio fitness, strength, and mental toughness.
📌 Physical Requirements for Poland 7 Summits Challenge
1. Endurance & Cardiovascular Fitness
- You’ll be trekking for multiple days, often 6–10 hours per day.
- You’ll be carrying a 15kg backpack
- Some routes involve long ascents of 1,000m+ in a single day.
✅ Training Recommendations:
- Hike 15–25 km (6-8hrs) with a 15 kg pack at least once a week.
- Stair climbing (45 min with a 10-15 kg pack).
- Running, cycling, or swimming (3–4 times a week, 45–60 min per session).
- Hyrox or Some form of high intensity fitness gym class
2. Strength & Load-Carrying Ability
- Expect to carry a 10–15 kg backpack for multiple days.
- Some summits involve steep, rocky ascents requiring strong legs & core stability.
- You may need to navigate boulder fields and exposed ridges.
✅ Training Recommendations:
- Squats, lunges, deadlifts (for leg power).
- Step-ups (50 cm box) with a weighted pack.
- Farmer’s carry (15 kg per hand) for grip & pack strength.
- Planks & core exercises (for stability on uneven terrain).
✅ Preparation Recommendations:
- Follow our 12 week training plan
- Join local training classes
- Increase exposure to long days on the hills
3. Technical Skills & Terrain Adaptation
✅ Uphill Technique
- Pacing & Breathing: Adopt a slow, “all-day” pace that allows you to breathe easily through your nose. If you are working too hard, implement the Rest Step by momentarily locking your trailing leg to shift your weight onto your bone structure rather than your thigh muscles.
- Switchbacking: On very steep grades, use switchbacks (zigzagging) to lower the gradient rather than attacking straight up.
- Pole Adjustment: Shorten your poles by 5-10 cm so your elbows don’t overreach, keeping your forearms parallel to the ground to maintain proper balance.
✅ Downhill Technique
- Posture & Impact: Many injuries happen on the descent. Loosen your hip belt slightly and bend your knees to absorb shock. Keep your weight centered directly over your feet, leaning slightly backward if the slope is dangerously steep.
- Pole Adjustment: Lengthen your poles by 5-10 cm to reduce strain on your knees and thighs, providing two extra points of contact ahead of your body.
- Foot Placement: Take short, light, and quick steps to reduce impact and maintain agility. Avoid the temptation to take long, leaping strides.
✅ Technical Terrain Adaptation
- River Crossings: Sometimes we may just need to cross low lever rivers. Keep your boots on to protect your feet from submerged branches or rocks. Unclip your backpack’s hip and chest straps so you can easily escape your pack if you fall. Face upstream and use poles to plant wide and create a stable triangle.
- Scree & Boulders: Step flat-footed to maximize your boot’s rubber traction. If dealing with loose scree, aim for embedded rocks rather than the loose gravel. Test each rock before shifting your full weight onto it.
- Scrambling: Maintain three points of contact at all times (e.g., two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot). Move deliberately, one limb at a time, and keep your center of gravity low and close to the rock face.
4. Mental Toughness
- Some summits will push you into exhaustion and cold conditions.
- The multi-day aspect makes recovery crucial—fatigue builds up over time.
- Expect early morning summit pushes (3 AM starts) and long descents.
✅ Mental Training:
- Train in harsh conditions (rain, wind, extreme cold).
- Hike back-to-back long days (to simulate multi-day fatigue).
- Train early mornings to prepare for pre-dawn summit attempts.
📍 Minimum Fitness Benchmarks for Poland 7 Summits Challenge
You should be able to handle :
✅ Hike 1,000m+ elevation gain with a 10-15 kg pack
✅ Run 10 km in 60 minutes (optional).
✅ Climb stairs for 45 min with a 10-15 kg pack.
✅ Handle 6–10 hrs trekking days back-to-back.
⛏ Who Should NOT Attempt the Challenge?
🚫 If you have an Injuries-knees, back, foot.
🚫 If you can not carry 10kg for 6-8hrs
🚫 If you cannot walk uphill moderate pace for 6-8hrs.
🚫 If you lack mental resilience for extreme weather and exhaustion.
Final Thoughts
The Poland 7 Summits Challenge is a fun trip.
If you are fit and have solid endurance with strong legs, a great smile and energy, you’ll be well-prepared.
12-Week Training Plan for the Poland 7 Summits Challenge
This structured training plan is designed to prepare you for multi-day endurance trekking, high-altitude climbing, and challenging terrain. The focus is on cardiovascular fitness, strength, stamina, altitude adaptation, and mental resilience.
📌 Weekly Training Schedule Overview
|
Day |
Activity |
|
Monday |
Strength Training + Stair Climb with Pack |
|
Tuesday |
Cardio (Running/Cycling) + Core |
|
Wednesday |
Weighted Hike (12–18 km) |
|
Thursday |
Strength + Endurance (Step-ups, Scrambling Practice) |
|
Friday |
Rest or Light Recovery (Yoga, Stretching) |
|
Saturday |
Long Hike (15–25 km, 1,000–1,500m ascent) |
|
Sunday |
Technical Skills + Active Recovery (Swimming, Cycling) |
🏋️♂️ Phase 1 (Weeks 1–4): Building a Strong Base
Goal: Develop cardio endurance, leg strength, and hiking ability.
✅ Hiking & Trekking
- 10–12 km (6–8 miles) with a 5–10 kg pack.
- 600–800m elevation gain.
- 3–5 hours duration.
- Train slow and steady pacing (important for multi-day treks).
✅ Strength Training (2x per week)
- Squats – 3 sets of 12 reps.
- Lunges – 3 sets of 10 reps per leg.
- Step-ups (50 cm box) – 3 sets of 12 reps per leg with a weighted pack.
- Planks – 3 x 1 min (for core strength & balance).
- Pull-ups – 3 sets of 6 (for scrambling & upper body endurance).
✅ Cardio Training
- 45–60 min runs or cycling/swimming at a moderate pace.
- Stair climbing (30 min with a 10 kg pack).
- Rowing (for upper body endurance and lung capacity).
✅ Technical Skills & Terrain Familiarisation
- If possible, hike on rocky, uneven terrain.
- Practice scrambling movements (use hands on rocky terrain).
- Use trekking poles efficiently.
🏔 Phase 2 (Weeks 5–8): Strength, Altitude & Endurance Boost
Goal: Increase hiking difficulty, endurance, and pack weight.
✅ Hiking & Trekking
- 12–18 km (7–11 miles) with a 10–12 kg pack.
- 800–1,200m elevation gain.
- 6+ hours duration.
- Back-to-back hikes on weekends to simulate fatigue.
✅ Strength & Stability (2x per week)
- Step-ups (50 cm box) with a 12 kg pack – 3 sets of 15 reps per leg.
- Deadlifts – 3 sets of 8 reps (for lower back strength).
- Farmer’s Carry (15 kg per hand) – 3 sets of 30m (for grip & backpack strength).
- Planks & Hanging Leg Raises (for core & stability).
✅ Cardio & Endurance
- 60 min continuous run, cycling, or swimming.
- Interval running (5x 3 min fast, 3 min slow).
- Rowing or stair climbing for 40 min with 8 kg pack.
🏆 Phase 3 (Weeks 9–12): Peak Performance & Multi-Day Trek Simulation
Goal: Simulate multi-day trekking, maximise endurance, and test gear & nutrition strategies.
✅ Hiking (Most Important)
- 15–25 km (10–15 miles) with a 12–15 kg pack.
- 1,200–1,500m elevation gain.
- Back-to-back hikes (Saturday & Sunday) – 8+ hours each day.
- Summit a local peak if possible (to simulate fatigue & altitude).
✅ Final Strength & Endurance Training
- Stair Climbing (45–60 min with 12 kg pack).
- Bulgarian Split Squats – 3 sets of 12 per leg.
- Planks & Hanging Leg Raises – 3 sets of 1 min.
✅ Technical & Mental Training
- Scrambling on rocky terrain (if possible).
- Long hikes starting at 3 AM to simulate early summit starts.
- Train in extreme conditions (cold, wind, rain, altitude exposure).
✅ Recovery & Injury Prevention
- Cold showers & ice baths to prepare for extreme temperatures.
- Stretching & foam rolling to prevent muscle tightness.
📍Final 2 Weeks (Taper & Recovery)
🔹 Reduce heavy training (Taper).
🔹 Focus on mobility, stretching, and rest.
🔹 Test your full gear & pack during a light hike.
🔹 Hydration & nutrition strategy practice.
💡 Key Training Tips
✔ Train in your boots & backpack early (no last-minute surprises).
✔ Use trekking poles to protect knees on long descents.
✔ Practice slow, steady breathing at altitude.
✔ Train with varied terrain (loose rock, scree, snow if possible).
✔ Hydration & nutrition practice – Know what fuels you best.
✔ Recovery matters! – Foam roll, stretch, and prioritise sleep.
🚀 Are You Ready for the Poland 7 Summits Challenge?
✅ Can you hike 1,500m+ with a 10 kg pack?
✅ Can you handle 8–10 hour hikes back-to-back?
✅ Have you trained in cold, high-wind conditions?
✅ Are you comfortable with scrambling & rocky terrain?
Bags
80 litre Trekking Duffle Bag
60-65 litre Back-pack.
2 x 35 litre Lightweight dry bag
(Inside packpack to keep clothes dry)
Clothing
4 x Underwear
4 x Short Sleeve t-shirt
1 x Fleece.
1 x Hiking Shorts
1 x Hiking Trousers.
1 x Lite weight puff Jacket.
1 x Waterproof Shell Jacket
1 x Waterproof Shell Trousers.
Headwear
1 x Ball cap
1 x Woollen hat
1 x Sunglasses.
1 x Head torch & charging lead
Hands
1x Fleece gloves
Footwear
3 x Trekking socks.
1 x Hiking boots.
1 x Sliders / sandals.
Hut Sleeping
Bunk bed, mattress and pillow is provided.
There is no bedding or no towel provided
1 x Sleeping liner or summer sleeping bag
1 x Pillow case
– Hut Clothing
• 1 x Tracksuit / Shorts
• 1 x Sliders / sandals.
• Swimwear for hot pools
Eating/Drinking
4 x Energy Bars
4 x Haribos
1 x tube Hydration tabs
2 x 1-litre drink bottles
Electrical
Power is available in the Refuge
Power Bank (sos)
Phone
Country relevant plug
Charging cables
Other
Passport
Cash \ visa
Insurance details
Trekking poles
Ear plugs
Sunscreen and lip balm.
Toiletries, including toilet paper.
Small trekking Towel.
Small Lock for your Duffle Bag.
Antibacterial hand gel.
Personal Medicines
Paracetamol (Headache)
Ibuprofen (Joint pain)
Course of Antibiotics (ears throat Chest)
Domerid (Anti sickness)
Imodium (Diorea)
Dulcolax (Constipation)
Antiseptic Wipes
Adhesive Plasters
Blister Packs (Compeed)
Insect Repellent
Personal first aid kit
See more about our payment policy Here
On Booking your expedition our returns policy can be viewed here
Participants must carry travel insurance that covers hillwalking/scrambling (non-technical) up to 2,500 m in Poland, including trip interruption and medical cover. Bring your policy details in the event required. We recommend True Traveler.