Zakopane 2023: Gubałówka Funicular Railway
Located on the Northern edge of Zakapane, is the Gubałówka funicular railway. Built in 1938, at the time it was only the second funicular railway in Poland. The carriages take approximately two and a half minutes to travel the 1,301meter track gaining an elevation of 300meters to the Gubałówka ridge at an altitude of 1,122meters.
Approaching from Krupówki Street, we passed through a small market selling smoked cheese and other local produce before arriving at the bottom of the railway. We hadn’t booked our tickets in advance, instead purchasing them from the ticket office on the day of travel.
After scanning our tickets, rather than cramming into the first carriage, we decided to wait for the next one. This had the added advantage that we were first to board and gave us front row seats of the ascent. The journey did not disappoint, great views and scenery and we even saw some brave people who were making the climb on foot.
We disembarked at the top and were greeted with spectacular views of Zakopane and the Tetra Mountains beyond. There are some great selfie opportunities that can be had using this as the backdrop.
As well as chilling out and enjoying the views, there are plenty of other activities for you to try. I went snow tubing , which involves racing down an ice track whilst sat in an inflatable inner tube. It was great fun. I went tubing on two different tracks, and on one of them you even got towed back up to the top!
Other attractions and activities available included
- Bars and Restaurants
- Street food style snack bars
- Shops
- Ski slopes
- A snow park for the more daring and adventurous
- Snow mobile rides
- Viewing platforms
Although we were not expecting it to be so commercially developed at the top, this does not ruin the experience. There is more than enough to keep you entertained for the day.
