Orla Perć

Technical data

The route is located in the centre of the High Tatras. The total length of the accessible route is 4.5 km. Total walking time (summer, depending on trails conditions) varies between 6 and 8 hours. The highest point is Kozi Wierch at 2291 m AMSL. The path starts at Zawrat pass (2159 m AMSL) and finishes at Krzyżne pass (2112 m AMSL), leading through several peaks and traversing others. The path is exposed, leading mostly along the mountain ridge. Numerous aids for tourists are provided at the most steep and vertical stretches, including ladders, stepladders, chains and metal steps. The most frequent ground constitutes mainly granite slab, rough rubble and uneven surface. The path is linked to other routes; there are altogether eight junctions with other paths, leading to mountain shelters and chalets. The stretch from Zawrat pass to Kozi Wierch is one-way only. Falling stones and avalanches are possible along the route.

History

The path was conceived in 1901, the brainchild of Franciszek Nowicki, a Polish poet and mountain guide. The route was partially funded, constructed and marked by Fr. Walenty Gadowski between 1903 and 1906 with the aid of a few locals; however, the junctions and other auxiliary routes were led and marked by 1911. After several fatal accidents, in 2006 a mountain guide Irena Rubinowska and Piotr Mikucki, a film director, launched an appeal to the authorities of the Tatra National Park to dismount all climbing aids along the path and change it to via ferrata. The appeal met with different reactions from groups and professional lobbies involved in the tourist business. It was concluded that this is a historic trail, and will remain unchanged. As many accidents took place when passing in the opposite direction, the TPN Directorate has introduced one-way traffic at the most difficult section of Orla Perć from Zawrat to Kozi Wierch in July 2007.

Gallery

File:Zejscie-z-koziego-wierchu.jpg|Descent through The Honoratka Couloir File:Orla Perc - mapa.png|Map of the path File:KCz.jpg|The path descends from Kozie Czuby File:2007Orla perć kozi wierch.jpg|The path on Kozi Wierch File:Orla Perć a5.jpg|Climbing aids on the path File:Orla Perc, Mala Buczynowa Turnia 2023-09-05.jpg|Rare easily hikeable fragment

References

References

1. Dariusz Dyląg: Orla Perć: przewodnik wysokogórski, Oficyna Wydawnicza Rewasz, Pruszków 2006, {{ISBN. 83-89188-50-3
2. "Orla Perć : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost".
3. [https://web.archive.org/web/20190204174615/http://www.wgorach.com/?id=48132&location=f&msg=1&lang_id=PL Orla Perć – wypadki i akcje ratownicze] (retrieved 15 November 2009)
4. [http://przewodnik.onet.pl/38,1660,1575575,artykul.html Zabójcza Orla Perć?]
5. [http://www.karibu.pl/11,110,Orla_Perc.html Tatry: Orla Perć] (retrieved 15 November 2009)
6. [http://www.gory-szlaki.pl/orla_perc.htm Orla Perć] {{webarchive. link. (20 November 2009 (retrieved 25/11/08))
7. Zofia Radwańska-Paryska, Witold Henryk Paryski: Wielka Encyklopedia Tatrzańska. Wyd. Górskie, 2004. {{ISBN. 83-7104-009-1.
8. [http://www.orlaperc.info.pl/tekst4.html Juliusz Wysłouch "Via ferraty dla tatr Wysokich, "Na szlaku" 10/2003]