PTTK Shelter on Hala Ornak

The PTTK Mountain Shelter on Hala Ornak, located in the Kościeliska Valley in the Western Tatras, is a picturesque facility situated at an altitude of 1,100 meters above sea level. Built between 1947 and 1948 in the distinctive regional Zakopane style, it replaced an earlier shelter on Hala Pyszna, which was destroyed by the Germans during World War II. In 1973, the shelter was honored with the name of Professor Walery Goetel, highlighting its significance in Polish culture and mountain tourism. The shelter offers 49 overnight accommodations in rooms ranging from 2 to 8 beds, along with a restaurant, buffet, and kitchen. Tourists can enjoy traditional, complimentary boiling water. From the shelter’s windows, beautiful views of nearby peaks such as Kominiarski Wierch and Błyszcz can be admired. Several hiking trails lead to the shelter: the green trail from Kira through the Kościeliska Valley, the yellow trail via Wielka Polana Ornaczańska, and the black trail to Smreczyński Staw. The charm of the shelter is enhanced by its surroundings—a protected forest complex where visitors can admire the nature of the Tatra Mountains. This shelter is a unique point on the map of mountain hikes, rich in history and culture, making it an ideal destination for mountain lovers and tourists.