Orla Perć (Polish Eagle's Path) - a tourist path in Tatra Mountains in southern Poland. It is considered the most difficult and dangerous public path in Polish Tatras and therefore destinated entirely for experienced tourists and climbers. Marked with red signs. From its beginning ever since, more than 90 people lost their lives, the most frequent cause of the lethal accidents being slips and trips on the snowy surface and the slippery granite.
The route is located in the centre of High Tatras. The total length of the accessible route is 4.5 km. Total walking time (depending on weather conditions and the season of the year) varies between 6 and 8 hours. The highest point is Kozi Wierch at 2291 m a. m. s. l. The path starts at Zawrat pass and finishes at Krzyżne pass, 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. Some stretches are one-way only. Possible falling stones and avalanches.
The path was conceived in 1901, and the author of the idea was Franciszek Henryk Nowicki, Polish poet and mountain guide. The route was constructed and marked between 1903 and 1906; however the junctions and other auxiliary routes were led and marked before 1911. After several mortal accidents in 2006 a mountain guide Irena Rubinowska and Piotr Mikucki - film director launched the 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 the different reaction of groups and professional lobbies involved in the tourist business. No solutions have been decided albeit the support to those plans was remarkable.