Kasprowy Wierch Cable Car

Kasprowy Wierch is one of those places in the Tatra Mountains that has fired the imagination of tourists for decades. For some, it is a symbol of mountain adventure; for others, it is the only opportunity to reach high above the valleys without hours of hiking and experience the true atmosphere of the Tatras. A trip to Kasprowy Wierch by cable car is not only a convenient way to reach the summit, but also a unique experience in itself – it is the only high-mountain cable car in Poland and, importantly, it is accessible to people with disabilities using wheelchairs.

Kasprowy Wierch – online tickets

We purchased online tickets for the Kasprowy Wierch cable car through a travel agency intermediary, but today tickets can be bought directly on the website of Polish Cableways at www.pkl.pl. The website also provides up-to-date information about daily opening hours.
When planning a trip to Kasprowy Wierch by cable car, it is essential to buy tickets online in advance to avoid long queues on busy days.
Reduced tickets for people with disabilities have recently become available, which is commendable, especially considering that ticket prices are relatively high.
It is also important to dress warmly, as temperatures at the summit of Kasprowy Wierch are usually several degrees lower than in Zakopane. Every year, scheduled technical inspections suspend cable car operations in May and November. The cable car does not operate during strong winds (over 20 m/s), icing, or when temperatures fall below −28°C.

How to get to the Kasprowy Wierch cable car

The day we planned our cable car ride to Kasprowy Wierch began with cloudy weather. After enjoying a delicious omelette, we drove to Kuźnice, located about 4 kilometres from Zakopane. This is where the lower cable car station is situated.
Thanks to having a disabled parking permit, we were able to drive directly to the station. Without this document, private vehicles are not allowed – in that case, visitors must use a minibus, taxi, or walk if weather conditions permit.
We were short on time before our gondola departure and chose a very steep wheelchair ramp leading directly to the station entrance. Later, we discovered that simply asking the staff would have directed us to a much gentler and easier access route.
Although we arrived a few minutes late, it was not a problem. Using an elevator designed for people with disabilities, I was taken to the appropriate level and boarded the cable car gondola.

Cable car ride to Kasprowy Wierch

The first moments of the cable car ride to Kasprowy Wierch were incredible. I had never seen mountains with such steep slopes and peaks exceeding 2,000 metres above sea level. Despite less-than-perfect weather, the beauty and charm of this unique journey quickly became apparent.
About halfway up, at Myślenickie Turnie, passengers transfer to a second gondola. This section is steeper, with the maximum height above the ground reaching 180 metres. On the right-hand side, you can see the Goryczkowy Bowl, which operates as a ski slope in winter. The gondola passes over the Dry Kasprowa Valley and reaches the upper station at an altitude of 1,959 metres above sea level, just 26 metres below the summit of Kasprowy Wierch.
The total length of the cable car route is 4,291 metres, with an elevation difference of 936 metres and an average gradient of 22%. The gondola travels at a speed of 8 m/s (slowing to 6 m/s at the six support towers) and can carry up to 60 passengers at a time.
After reaching the summit of Kasprowy Wierch (1,987 m above sea level), we were greeted by rain interspersed with brief clearings. These allowed us to admire the vast views and see the highest meteorological observatory in Poland. After about two hours, we descended back down, this time in heavy rain, and then returned to our accommodation to rest before our next trip – this time to Morskie Oko.

Accessibility for people with disabilities at Kasprowy Wierch

Overall, I am satisfied with the level of accessibility provided by the Kasprowy Wierch cable car for wheelchair users. The journey itself is comfortable and free of architectural barriers. However, accessibility could be improved through better signage guiding people with disabilities to the gondola.
The biggest challenge is the very difficult and uneven surface outside the upper station on Kasprowy Wierch. Moving around this area in a wheelchair was demanding and far from comfortable. A properly prepared path could be a solution. Unfortunately, decision-makers do not yet seem ready for such changes, even though the site's tourist appeal would not suffer and accessibility would improve significantly.

Is it worth taking the cable car to Kasprowy Wierch?

Taking the cable car to Kasprowy Wierch is a unique experience that allows everyone – regardless of physical fitness – to feel the magic of the High Tatras. For wheelchair users, it is often the only realistic opportunity to reach nearly 2,000 metres above sea level and admire mountain landscapes from an entirely different perspective.

Despite some shortcomings related to the infrastructure at the summit, the cable car itself and the staff deserve a positive assessment. Travel comfort, staff friendliness, and a well-organised boarding system make a trip to Kasprowy Wierch safe and enjoyable also for people with disabilities.

Hopefully, accessibility at the summit will continue to improve in the future, especially in terms of walking surfaces and paths around the upper station. Even small changes could significantly enhance visitor comfort and open this extraordinary place to an even wider audience.

Kasprowy Wierch, despite unpredictable weather and minor difficulties, will remain in my memory for a long time. It proves that mountains can be closer than they seem, and dreams of high-mountain views are within reach – sometimes all it takes is stepping into a gondola.