Leave Krakow’s cobblestone streets behind and head south towards a completely different Poland. Beyond the city, the landscape opens into forests, meadows and mountain villages, with the Tatra peaks rising in the distance. A quad tour through Podhale gives you a chance to experience this landscape from the tracks rather than from a coach window.



The ride is the obvious highlight, but it is the journey that makes the day special. You move through quiet countryside, forest trails and highland landscapes, stopping along the way to take in the views and experience a slower side of southern Poland. Add a bonfire, local food or a soak in the thermal baths, depending on the tour, and a few hours outside Krakow can quickly turn into one of the most memorable days of your trip.

It starts long before you reach the quads

The quad base is usually around 1.5 to 2 hours from Krakow, depending on traffic, but the journey south is part of what makes the day feel like an escape. As you leave the city behind, the scenery gradually changes. Larger roads and urban buildings give way to smaller towns, open fields and villages, with the first views of the Tatra foothills appearing along the way. By the time you arrive, Krakow can feel surprisingly far away. You are now in Podhale, the highland region around Zakopane, where the local culture is closely connected with the Gorale — Poland's highlanders.

Their traditions are easy to spot in the region, from distinctive wooden architecture and traditional music to their dialect and hearty local cuisine. That change of landscape and atmosphere is part of the appeal. You are not simply travelling somewhere to ride a quad; you are spending the day in a part of Poland with a character very different from Krakow. And the best part is that you don't need to turn it into a longer mountain holiday. You can leave Krakow in the morning, spend the day in Podhale and return in the evening, without booking accommodation in Zakopane or organising a separate trip to the Tatras.

The ride is about terrain, not speed

Before you head onto the trails, there is a short introduction to the quad and the basic rules of the ride. The instructor shows you how to handle the vehicle and makes sure you have the necessary protective equipment. Helmets and protective suits are included, so there is no need to arrive dressed like a professional off-road rider. Practical outdoor clothes are all you need. You also don't need previous quad-biking experience. Beginners are shown the basics before setting off, while more experienced riders can settle into the ride quickly. The pace is adjusted to the group and the conditions, so the experience feels more like exploring the landscape than trying to race through it.

Then the scenery starts to change again. The route can take you through shaded forest tracks, with uneven ground, tree roots and the smell of pine in the air. A few minutes later, the trees may open into a clearing, revealing wider views across the Podhale valleys and towards the mountains. The riding takes place in the Tatra foothills, rather than on protected high-altitude trails inside Tatra National Park. This means you can enjoy off-road terrain, forest tracks and open clearings while staying outside the protected areas of the Tatras themselves. And don't expect to finish the ride looking exactly as you did when you started. Depending on recent weather, the trails can bring mud, dust and puddles into the equation. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and choose closed shoes with a solid sole. You are heading into the countryside, after all —not onto a polished city excursion.

You do not need experience, but you do need a licence

There is one important practical detail to sort out before the trip: you need a valid physical Category B driving licence to drive the quad. A photo of your licence on your phone or a digital version is not accepted, so make sure you have the original document with you when you leave Krakow. If you're travelling with someone who doesn't have a licence, that's fine. Passengers do not need a driving licence, so couples, families and groups can still enjoy the trip even if only some people want to take the wheel. Children can usually ride as passengers on double quads with an adult driver, although the exact age requirements depend on the selected route.

The other decision is simply how you want to experience the ride. If you drive, you're much more involved — you feel every turn, bump and change in the terrain. As a passenger, you can sit back and concentrate on the landscape, take photographs and enjoy the ride without worrying about the trail ahead. There is no better option. Driving is more hands-on; riding as a passenger is more relaxed. If you're travelling with another licensed adult, you can also switch drivers and experience both sides of the adventure.

The bonfire changes the pace of the day

After the noise of the quads and a few hours of bouncing along forest tracks, the bonfire feels like a natural change of pace. You finally have a chance to sit down, take a breath and actually look around. The mountains are still there, the air feels noticeably fresher, and the conversation usually shifts from who handled the toughest section of the trail to what everyone just experienced. There is nothing complicated about a traditional highland bonfire. It is simply a fire, open air and some time to relax after the ride. Yet that simplicity is exactly what makes it work. It adds a distinctly Podhale element to the day and gives the experience something that a standard off-road excursion often lacks — a proper moment to stop.

If you're travelling as a couple, this is probably the quietest part of the day. With friends, it becomes the perfect time to compare stories from the trail and decide who managed to get the most mud on themselves. Families get a useful break before making the next decision: call it a day and head back to Krakow, or continue the trip with some time in the thermal baths. Either way, the bonfire slows everything down. After spending hours moving through the landscape, you finally get to simply sit in it.

Should you add thermal baths?

For some travellers, the quad ride followed by a bonfire is more than enough. The regular tour works well if you mainly want to get out of Krakow, spend a few hours on the trails and then head back to the city without turning the day into a full mountain itinerary. If you have more time, adding thermal baths changes the character of the trip. After several hours on forest tracks, getting into warm water is a completely different experience. The contrast is particularly enjoyable after a physically active ride — or simply on a cooler or rainy day when you appreciate somewhere warm to finish.

The Quads + Thermal Baths option includes access to the thermal baths as part of the package. For an even more comprehensive experience, the VIP Private Tatra Tour includes time at Bania Thermal Baths, as well as private transport and a stop at the Serce Poronina Skywalk. That makes it less of a single quad excursion and more of a full-day Podhale experience, combining mountain views, off-road riding and relaxation.

So which one makes more sense? If you're mainly coming for the quads, choose the regular option. If you want to make the journey south feel like a proper day away from Krakow, the thermal-baths version gives the day a more relaxed ending. And if you're still deciding between the two, our Regular vs. Private Tatra Quad Tours guide breaks down what is included in each option.

What makes the VIP version different?

The regular tour keeps the focus on the quad ride. You travel with a group and can choose whether to end with the bonfire or extend the experience with thermal baths. The VIP private version follows a broader Tatra itinerary, adding the Serce Poronina Skywalk, Bania Thermal Baths and private transport to the quad experience. Choose the VIP experience if privacy, flexible pacing and a complete mountain itinerary matter more than keeping the day focused tightly on the quad ride. Choose the regular tour if you want to get onto the terrain, share the experience with other travellers and keep the outdoor activity at the heart of the day.

What to bring from Krakow?

A little preparation can make a big difference on a quad day. The weather in the mountains can change quickly, so it is better to be prepared for a bit of everything than spend the afternoon wishing you had brought another layer. If you plan to drive, start with the most important item: your original physical Category B driving licence. Then keep things practical. Wear closed, sturdy shoes and outdoor clothing that you won't mind getting covered in mud or dust. A lightweight windproof or waterproof jacket is worth packing even in summer, particularly if you're spending several hours outside. On sunny days, sunglasses are useful between sections of the route, but use the protective eye equipment provided for the ride when you're on the quad. If you've chosen the thermal-baths option, remember to bring swimwear, a towel and flip-flops. And one small addition that is easy to overlook: pack a spare T-shirt or change of clothes for the journey back to Krakow. After a few hours on the trails, especially in wet conditions, you'll be very glad to have something clean and dry to put on.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

A Tatra quad tour makes the most sense when you already have some Krakow sightseeing behind you and want to spend a day doing something completely different. After exploring the Old Town, Wawel and Kazimierz, swapping cobblestones for forest tracks and mountain landscapes can be a refreshing change. It is a good option for couples, groups of friends, families with older children and active travellers who want to experience the Tatra region without committing to a full-day mountain hike. You get plenty of time outdoors, some off-road adventure and the chance to see parts of Podhale that you simply wouldn't reach on a standard sightseeing trip. The experience is very much about the ride itself: uneven terrain, changing weather, muddy tracks and the feeling of moving through the landscape rather than simply looking at it from a vehicle. Adding a bonfire or thermal baths can make the day more varied, especially if you want something that combines adventure with time to relax. That said, it isn't for everyone. If what you're looking for is a quiet mountain walk, scenic viewpoints reached on foot or a more traditional sightseeing day in Zakopane, a different Tatra experience will probably suit you better. The quad tour is for travellers who want to get out into the landscape and experience it with a little more movement.

Master the city with our Guidebook

Planning a trip is one thing. Knowing how to make the most of your time once you arrive in Krakow is another. The city centre is easy to explore on foot, but a few local tips can make a big difference — especially when you're visiting during a busy cultural season. We've put our favourite practical advice into a Free Guidebook, designed to help you spend less time worrying about where to eat, how to get around or what to see next, and more time actually enjoying Krakow.

Inside the guide, you'll find:

• Where to eat: Local restaurants, cafés and less obvious places to stop for a meal away from the busiest tourist streets.
• Getting around Krakow: Simple advice on public transport, walking and moving between the city's main neighbourhoods.
• Local customs: A few useful tips on Polish etiquette and everyday habits that can make your visit feel more natural.
• Walking ideas: Suggested routes through the Old Town, Kazimierz and beyond, so you can explore without constantly checking your phone.
  

Leave the city behind, return with a different story

What stays with you after a Tatra quad tour is not just the ride. It is the change of scenery. One moment you're leaving Krakow's medieval streets behind, and a couple of hours later you're surrounded by forest tracks, open mountain landscapes and the quieter rhythm of Podhale. If you're mainly looking for an off-road adventure with a bonfire, the regular Tatra ATV Quad Tour with Bonfire is the straightforward choice. If you'd rather turn the trip into a full day in the mountains, the VIP Private Tatra Tour combines private transport, extreme quad riding, the Serce Poronina Skywalk and time at the thermal baths.

And if you're ready to trade Krakow for the mountains, use code RIDE15 when booking to get 15% off eligible Tatra quad experiences. Leave the city in the morning, get a little muddy, take in the mountain views, and come back in the evening with a very different picture of southern Poland.