Jurassic park Kraków - climbing, fishing, walking in the Polish Jura
Did you know that just north of Kraków is a Jurassic paradise? By Jurassic I don't mean a dinosaur land, but a large area of limestone geological wonders carved into the landscape. It's formal title is the Kraków-Częstochowa Jura Upland.
Exploring the Kraków-Częstochowa Jura Upland
The Kraków-Częstochowa Jura Upland is a picturesque region stretching approximately 160 kilometers, which is nestled along the border of the Małopolska and Upper Silesia provinces in Poland. This captivating area extends northwest from Kraków to the spiritual centre of Częstochowa. Known for its dramatic landscapes, the Upland is a treasure trove of natural geological wonders, wildlife and historical landmarks.
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| Kraków-Częstochowa Jura Upland |
Its landscape is dominated by standing limestone rocks and karst formations, which have been sculpted over millennia by natural processes. Visitors are mesmerised by the cliffs and rugged terrain, which offer a glimpse into the Earth's ancient past. These formations provide ideal conditions for a variety of outdoor activities, such as rock climbing, caving and hiking.
Castles and History
Scattered throughout the Upland are numerous castles that whisper tales of Poland's medieval history. These fortresses, often perched atop hills or nestled within valleys, were once part of a defensive chain known as the "Eagle's Nests Trail". Each castle has its own story, with legends of knights, battles, and royalty. Exploring these ruins offers a fascinating journey through time.
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| Ojców Castle |
Valleys and Streams
The Upland is interspersed with lush valleys and meandering crystal clear spring fed streams, creating a serene environment for nature lovers. These waterways provide habitats for diverse flora and fauna, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike. The peaceful ambiance of these areas allows visitors to connect deeply with nature.
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| The Pradnik Valley in Ojców National Park |
Caves and Exploration
For those intrigued by subterranean adventures, the Jura Upland offers an array of caves waiting to be explored. These caverns, carved by natural forces, vary in size and complexity. They offer both casual explorers and seasoned cavers the opportunity to discover hidden chambers and witness stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations.
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| The Dark Cave - Ojców National Park |
Ojcowski Park Narodowy - Ojcow National Park
This is probably the most well known area in the Kraków-Częstochowa Jura Upland. Click on this link to find out more about Poland's smallest national park and what it offers.
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| The Krakow Gate - Ojców National Park |
Dolina Kobylańską and Dolina Będkowska
These scenic valleys are easily accessed from the centre of Kraków. They offer a lovely break from the throng of the city and are a climbers paradise. If you are not up for climbing, fear not, this area makes for a really lovely rural trek instead.The route described below means you can access both Dolina Kobylańską and Dolina Będkowska by means of an easy circular trail. Be aware that in the upper reaches of the Dolina Kobylańską, the path becomes narrow and in summer the vegetation can by high on either side of it. Other than that, there are no obstacles on this route.
Getting there
To access these valleys is actually very easy. Firstly you need to get from the city centre to Bronowice Małe. This can easily be achieved by catching either the number 8 or 24 tram from the Old Town. A 20 minute ticket is adequate, or alternatively, buy a day ticket which will cover everything you need for your trip. Follow this link to help you with tickets and instructions on how to do this.
The trail
Use the map below to guide you through this 12.2 km loop trail. There is a small restaurant and climbing school at the start of the trail if you need a refreshment stop.
Once you enter the Dolina Kobylańską itself, it widens out nicely to reveal an amphitheatre of crags which is quite literally a climbers paradise. If you are interested in the myriad of routes on the crags offered here, click on this link to find out more.
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| Dolina Kobylańską |
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| Climbing crags in the Dolina Kobylańską |
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| Climbing crags in the Dolina Kobylańską |
The route itself initially follows the yellow trail, however, once you have descended from the Dolina Kobylańską into the Dolina Będkowska, it then follows the blue trail. It is definitely worth taking a short detour northwards in the Dolina Będkowska to the campsite area where you will find the enormous "El Capitanesque" crag of Sokolica. It makes for great entertainment watching the climbers tackling the petrifying routes on this, especially since there are barbeque areas and a lovely bar restaurant in the Brandysówka campsite at the base of this to watch from. If you are a climber and genuinely interested in the routes on this crag, this link gives more detail.
For other routes in the Dolina Będkowska, click on this link for details.
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| Sokolica crag- the El Capitan of Krakow |
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| Sokolica cr ag- the El Capitan of Krakow with Brandysówka campsite below |
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| Climbers on Sokolica |
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| Bar, campsite, climbing and more - Brandysówka campsite |
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| Climbers on Sokolica Crag - climbing in Krakow |
Fishing
Having explored the upper reaches of the valley, retrace your steps and head south until you pick up the blue trail. This will eventually take you to a large area of fishing ponds with restaurant.
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| Fishing ponds Dolina Będkowska |
Returning to Krakow
After visiting the fish ponds, continue on the blue trail southwards until you reach the junction between Leśna and Jurajska. You now leave the blue trail and follow the left branch of the road in an easterly direction. This takes you in an uphill direction along Leśna. Upon arriving at the junction with Tadeusza Kościuszki street, turn right and make your way back to Kobylany to get the 278 bus back to Krakow.
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