Ojców: Rocks, History and Trails in the National Park

• Jaskinia Ciemna (Ojcowska) is considered one of Poland’s most valuable archaeological sites.
• The Kraków Gate is in the Prądnik Valley; Jonaszówka is a 20-metre-high rock with a viewpoint.
• The blue Szlak Warowni Jurajskich trail follows the red hiking trail through Ojców to Grodzisko and Skała.

The Kraków Gate is one of the rock gates in Ojców National Park. It is in the Prądnik Valley and closes off the outlet of the Wąwóz za Krakowską Bramą gorge where it meets the valley. Its location is therefore clear: the rock gate marks the transition from the gorge outlet to the valley.

Jonaszówka offers a different feature. At the summit of the 20-metre-high rock is a viewpoint overlooking Ojców and the surrounding area. At Źródło Miłości, by contrast, a small detail takes centre stage: the spring water flows into a basin whose floor has been carved out of rock in the shape of a heart. The viewpoint and the basin showcase two different landscape features.

Jaskinia Ciemna (Ojcowska) is an important archaeological landmark and is considered one of Poland’s most valuable archaeological sites. A new footbridge and information boards have been installed in front of the cave, in the area known as Ogrojec. A Neanderthal camp has also been reconstructed there. These additions complement the archaeological perspective with an account of prehistory.

The “Na Wodzie” Chapel is dedicated to Saint Joseph the Craftsman. It was established in 1901 in a former bathhouse at the spa resort. Ojców Castle has a longer building history: it dates from the 13th century and was enlarged by Casimir the Great in the second half of the 14th century. It was badly damaged during the Swedish Deluge and restored in 1660. Today, it is a ruin and a medieval landmark of the area.

The nature exhibition at Ojców National Park presented information about the park’s geology, prehistory, wildlife and plant life. Its range of topics thus extended from the history of the Earth and the past to animals and plants.

Ogród Ojcowski showcases endangered species as well as species characteristic of the park’s typical forest communities: oak-hornbeam forests, meadows and xerothermic grasslands. These are dry grasslands that thrive in warm conditions. The examples show the differences between individual habitats, rather than viewing nature simply as wildlife and plant life in general.

The blue Szlak Warowni Jurajskich trail follows the red hiking trail through the Prądnik Valley, via Ojców to Grodzisko and Skała. The shared route markings and the trail’s course through the valley provide clear guidance for planning your route. Before setting out, check the national park’s current visitor information for temporary changes to the trail.

Discover more destinations: Szczyglice, Bolechowice, Szczodrkowice, Michałowice, Rząska, Radziszów, Balice, Brzyczyna

What is Jaskinia Ciemna known for?

It is considered one of Poland’s most valuable archaeological sites.

What view does Jonaszówka offer?

At the summit of the 20-metre-high rock is a viewpoint overlooking Ojców and the surrounding area.

Which places does the blue Szlak Warowni Jurajskich trail pass through?

Together with the red hiking trail, it runs through the Prądnik Valley via Ojców to Grodzisko and Skała.

Go to the main travel overview: Kraków.