The Highest Mountains in Poland

Poland is located in the heart of Europe, spread over approximately 120,726 square miles. Its borders, last drawn after World War II, often follow the lines of natural formations. For example, its border with Germany is sketched out by the rivers of Neisse and Oder. And it is a set of mountain ranges that separate it from southern neighbours, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

With much of it part of the North European Plain, Poland is mostly composed of lowlands. Nevertheless, it remains topographically diverse, with forests, lakes, rivers, swamps and, of course, mountains.

The very highest mountains in Poland are located in the range known as the Tatra Mountains. Want to know more? Let’s explore Poland’s highest peaks, starting with the tallest mountain in Poland.

The top ten highest mountains in Poland are all part of the Tatra mountains, located on the border between Poland and Slovakia. Only about 20% of the Tatras are located in Poland. They are young, granite mountains of an alpine nature and, of the Tatras, the highest point in Poland is Mount Rysy.

Height: 8212 feet

With its north-western peak rising to 8212 feet above sea level, Mount Rysy is the biggest mountain in Poland. Located in the south of the country, it’s part of the Tatra Mountains which straddle Poland and Slovakia. Likewise, Mount Rysy is located directly on the Polish-Slovakian border, with two of its summits in Slovakia, one in Poland.

Height: 7999 feet

Translated as the “Grand Peak” and often shortened to “MSW”, Mięguszowiecki Szczyt Wielki is the second biggest mountain in Poland. At 7999 feet, it’s the highest of a trio of Mięguszowiecki Summits and sits on the Slovak-Polish border.

Height: 7972 feet

Shared with Slovakia, Niżnie Rysy or “Low Rysy” rises to an elevation of 7972 feet and a prominence of 197 feet, meaning the separation of the peak itself from the mountains from which it emerges. It’s the third highest point in Poland.

Height: 7907 feet

Mięguszowiecki Szczyt Czarny may be much more topographically prominent than Niżnie Rysy, but it’s 65 feet shorter, placing it at number four on the list of highest mountains in Poland.

Height: 7851 feet

The final Mięguszowiecki peak in the top ten highest mountains in Poland, the Pośredni peak rises to 7851 feet above sea level.

Height: 7795 feet

The rough translation of Cubryna is “shaggy”, possibly describing the jagged peak of this 7795-foot high member of the Tatra Mountains as resembling a messy hairstyle.

Height: 7549 feet

The rather unusually named Świnica literally means pig or swine. There are a couple of theories as to why the seventh tallest mountain in Poland was given this name, the most likely said to be that the outline of its massif resembles the shape of a pig.

Height: 7516 feet

It reaches a height of 7516 feet and Kozi Wierch is the highest point in Poland located entirely within its borders.

Height: 7149 feet

Reaching 7149 feet in height is Zamarła Turnia, which means “frozen crag”.

Height: 7139 feet

The final entry on the list of Poland’s highest mountains, Starorobociański Wierch is also the only one in the western rather than eastern Tatras.

As we’ve seen, Poland’s highest peaks share many similarities. Not only are they all Tatras, but they tend to bear highly descriptive names. From the “shaggy” Cubryna to the “frozen crag” of Zamarła Turnia, each one is immensely evocative and reflects the grandeur of these impressive landmarks.