This tourist behavior in the Tatras is a plague. “There is no shortage of fools”
Tatra National Park employees have appealed to tourists. It concerns love locks, which visitors increasingly leave on chains mounted along trails.
Mountain walks are undoubtedly a truly romantic experience. However, not all couples are satisfied with viewing the views together, taking photos or holding hands. More and more lovers leave evidence of their undying feelings on the Tatra trails, which should not be found there under any circumstances. I am talking about the popular “love locks”, which have been decorating bridges and footbridges in many Polish cities for years. In the mountains, however, they can pose a real danger.
Padlocks on trails in the Tatras. Not a good idea
On some trails in the Tatras, especially those of considerable difficulty, special chains have been installed. Sometimes, grabbing them is necessary to complete a given section of the route, other times they have a positive impact on the safety of the participants of the trip. Trails with chains on the Polish side of the Tatras can be found, among others, on the way to Rysy, Mięguszowiecka Przełęcz pod Chłopkiem, Zawrat, Świnica and Orla Perć. However, not everyone uses them properly. Employees of the Tatra National Park have noticed that popular “love locks” can be seen on an increasing number of chains. This European custom, which has even reached the United States, has been a big problem for city authorities for years, who are forced to remove items lying around from bridges and footbridges. Those left in the TPN will also be regularly removed. “Dear tourists, leave love in your hearts, not on chains! Let’s take care of safety in the mountains and cleanliness of the Tatras. Padlocks attached to chains and other artificial facilities on Tatra trails are removed by our employees,” the park said in a press release.
Internet users do not mince their words
Outraged internet users have clearly shown what they think of the new mountain tradition under the published post. “There really is no shortage of fools,” one person wrote. “Extreme irresponsibility. Lovers, think about others too. Soon, those descending from mountain peaks will have nothing to hold on to. A little imagination,” another internet user explains. It turns out that the fashion for padlocks has also appeared on mountain trails in other parts of Poland. “Yesterday I saw such padlocks on the approach to Śnieżka, so the Karkonosze National Park has the same problem,” we read.
