Morskie Oko by private car

Morskie Oko has always held a special place on the map of my dreams. It is one of those places you know from postcards, photos, and stories, yet reality can still surprise you. Setting off toward this Tatra lake, it was hard not to feel excited — every kilometer brought me closer to a landscape that has captivated generations with its raw beauty and tranquility.

Morskie Oko for people with disabilities

I learned about the possibility of driving a private car to Morskie Oko from the owner of the accommodation we rented in Zakopane. Even before arriving in the Capital of the Polish Mountains, I contacted the Tatra National Park (TPN) and, after completing all formalities and paying a fee of 80 PLN, I obtained a permit to enter Morskie Oko by private car. Currently, such permits are very difficult to obtain. However, in 2025 TPN launched a pilot program offering free transport for people with disabilities and one accompanying person using a special electric bus on the route Zakopane – Morskie Oko.

If someone has good upper-body strength, it is possible to reach Morskie Oko in a wheelchair using one's own strength or with the help of an electric add-on.

Morskie Oko – parking

Palenica Białczańska is a clearing in the High Tatras, located about 20 km from Zakopane. It is the most common starting point for trips to Morskie Oko. It is also the final point for motorized traffic: PKS buses, minibuses, and traditional horse-drawn carriages. The parking lot at Palenica Białczańska is large, but very often the number of spaces for private cars is insufficient. To avoid unnecessary stress, it is worth purchasing a parking ticket online in advance on the Tatra National Park website. An important note is that people with disabilities do not pay for parking, but it is still advisable to reserve a ticket like everyone else.

The distance from the parking lot at Palenica Białczańska to Morskie Oko is about 9 km, and you should allow around two hours for the walk one way. The entire route is paved with asphalt, runs continuously uphill, and in some places — especially from Mickiewicz Waterfalls — the incline is quite steep.

Driving a private car to Morskie Oko

Pushing a wheelchair back and forth along this route by my friends would certainly not have been pleasant, which is why we applied for a permit from TPN to drive a private car to Morskie Oko. In 2018, only four such permits were issued per day: two in the morning and two in the afternoon. We managed to obtain one, which allowed us to reach one of the most beautiful places in Poland in comfortable conditions. We covered the route from Palenica Białczańska to Morskie Oko in less than half an hour. Although the weather was rainy and clouds obscured the surrounding mountain slopes, we were all amazed by the extraordinary setting of this large body of water. Our only regret was that we were unable to see the full panorama in sunny weather. On the positive side, however, we were able to admire the beauty of the Tatras in silence and without crowds — a true rarity in this place.

Is it worth visiting Morskie Oko?

Definitely yes! This place has something truly magical about it: the majesty of high mountains reflected in the surface of the lake, the silence that soothes the mind, and the feeling of being close to nature in its most spectacular form. Even if you have seen hundreds of photos, experiencing Morskie Oko in person evokes genuine awe and euphoria that stay with you for many years.

However, I want to point out that this place presents serious barriers for people with disabilities. About one hundred meters from the parking area at Morskie Oko to the viewpoint, the path consists of very unfriendly, rocky ground that is exceptionally difficult to navigate in a wheelchair. Additionally, people with limited mobility have no chance of entering the Mountain Hut at Morskie Oko — steep and high stairs make it inaccessible.

Despite these limitations, the very possibility of standing by the lakeshore, looking at the towering peaks, and feeling this unique mountain energy means that Morskie Oko remains one of those places you simply must see at least once in your lifetime. It is pure awe, emotion, and joy — even if the road to full accessibility is still a long way off.