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Zakopane
The PTTK mountain hut on Hala Kondratowa stands in the Western Tatras, on the Kondratowa Glade at the foot of Giewont, at around 1,330 m above sea level. It is the smallest refuge of its kind in the Polish Tatras and at the same time one of the best loved — the wooden building with its distinctive porch has for decades served as a stop on the way to the Kondracka Pass and further on to Giewont.
Despite its modest size, the hut is busy all year round. In summer it welcomes hikers heading for the ridges of the Czerwone Wierchy, in winter skiers and lovers of winter walking in the mountains.
The most popular approach starts in Kuźnice, reached from the centre of Zakopane by city buses and minibuses. From there the blue trail through the Kondratowa Valley leads to the hut in roughly an hour and a half. An alternative is the longer route from the mouth of the Mała Łąka Valley along the green trail and then the blue one — allow about four hours for this variant. The hut can also be reached from the neighbouring Tatra refuges.
Inside you can get a hot meal, a cup of tea and simply warm up after the climb. The refuge has only a small number of beds, so an overnight stay requires booking in advance. There is also a ski storage room, used in winter by visitors who want to explore the surroundings on foot.
Kondratowa Glade is an excellent base: Kopa Kondracka, Małołączniak and Giewont are all close by. Remember that this is the area of the Tatra National Park — entrance fees apply, walking is allowed on marked trails only and nature protection rules must be respected. In winter some routes call for proper equipment and experience; check avalanche warnings before setting out. By motorhome you can only get as far as the Zakopane and Kuźnice area — the rest of the way is on foot.
