Let me take you on a journey to a fascinating place near Kraków, the Ojców National Park. Nestled in the Olkuska Upland in Lesser Poland, this park was officially established on the 14th of January, 1956. Just imagine, back in the Jurassic period, this place was covered by a shallow sea, depositing layers upon layers of limestone. Over time, the wind, rain, and elements worked their magic, shaping this limestone into the gorgeous karst sculptures you’d be able to marvel at today.
Ojców National Park – Full of Marvelous Trails and Attractions
Covering a 21.46 square km area, this park is filled with numerous hiking trails, attractions, and historical sites.
You'd be hard-pressed to choose between attractions like the Kazimierzowski Castle, Łokietek's Grotto, Dark Cave, Jonaszkowa Rock, Deotyma Needle, Krakowska Gate and the Chapel on the Water.
If you’re wondering, „Where exactly is Ojców National Park?” I can tell you that it’s conveniently located in the southern part of the Krakow-Częstochowa Upland, just about 16 kilometers north of Krakow.
Navigating to Ojców National Park
Now, if you’re planning a trip from Krakow to Ojców National Park, your best bet is to travel by car. You’ll need to follow road number 794 passing through places like Zielonki, Januszowice, Cianowice Duze, and Skała. However, if you don’t have a car at your disposal, don’t worry. Public transport has you covered.
↳ Make sure to read my guide to the most amazing places to stay in Kraków:
How to Find Best Place to Stay in Krakow Old Town – Your Guide
- For more information about public transport in Kraków and how to get to Ojców National Park, please read this article I wrote: Getting Around Krakow – Your Essential Transportation Handbook
Shortly: You could use line 210 from Bronowice Nowe to Będkowice and get off at the Murownia stop. From there, it’s a 30-minute walk to the park. Alternatively, you could use line 267 from Krowodrza Górka to Smardzowice. Stop at Grębynice if you want to explore the park from its base, or get off at Smardzowice if you prefer a quick half-an-hour red bicycle trail ride to Ojców castle.
Car Parking in Ojców
For those of you traveling by car, there are two car parks at your disposal. The Ojców car park on Złota Góra operates from 9 am to 5 pm, from April 14 to October 31. The charges for a full day are PLN 12 for a passenger car, PLN 5 for a motorcycle, PLN 20 for a minibus, and PLN 50 for a bus.
The other car park is situated near the ruins of the Ojców Castle. It offers quicker access to the Prądnik Valley but comes with a slightly higher price tag: PLN 20 for a passenger car, PLN 10 for a motorcycle, PLN 40 for a minibus, and PLN 70 for a bus. Both car parks are unguarded, but they’re easy to find. If you need more information, I’m sure you can find it on their website.
- Here is the Parking Spot location (near Ojców Castle): Open Google Maps
Caves of the Ojców National Park – Unveiling the Mysteries
As you venture into Ojców National Park, let me say that one of the most intriguing aspects of the place is its ancient caves, crafted by nature herself.
Upper Wierzchowska Cave
Limestone, as I know you might be aware, is a rock that’s easily sculpted by water. The Jurassic period left behind about a thousand caves, carved out of the limestone by the relentless flow of water. The Upper Wierzchowska Cave, though technically outside the park, is definitely one that you shouldn’t miss out on. Now, it’s worth noting that you can only explore this fascinating cave on a guided tour.
- This is the Google Maps location of the cave.
Visit and Ticket Information
For those curious adventurers, the Wierzchowska Cave opens its doors daily at specific times and also every weekend of the first quarter, excluding the first weekend in January. The opening hours are from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Your ticket to this subterranean wonder would cost PLN 17, while the discounted price is PLN 15.
Seasonal timings vary, with the cave opening from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm from April 6 to April 30, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from May 1 to August 31, and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm from September 1 to Octber 31. It operates between 9:00 am to 3:00 pm from November 2 to November 30. However, do note that it is closed on All Saints Day (November 1) and Easter.
Łokietek Grotto (Cave) in Ojców National Park
Within the boundaries of the park, the Łokietek Grotto stands out as an incredible, 320-meter-long cave. It features several corridors, the Knight’s Hall, Bedroom and Kitchen. While the dripstone covering might not be extensive, the „Eagle”, a large stalactite pillar on the northern wall, is sure to catch your attention.
This cave is wrapped in an ancient legend that tells of King Wenceslaus the Elbow-high, who supposedly hid in the cave from the troops of Czech King Wenceslaus II. A spider, so the legend goes, saved his life by spinning a web across the entrance, tricking his pursuers into thinking the cave was deserted. The cave’s name and the spider-web gate at the entrance stand as testament to this story.
- This is the google maps entrance location of Łokietek Grotto cave.
Visit and Ticket Information
For those who want to explore the Łokietek Grotto, it’s open from April 13 to November 11, excluding Easter and November 1. Tickets are priced at PLN 12 for a standard ticket and PLN 6 for a discount ticket. The first entry is at 9:00 am with the last entry varying seasonally: 6:30 pm from April to August, 5:30 pm in September, 4:30 pm in October, and 3:30 pm in November.
The Dark Cave in Ojców National Park
Among the network of caves lies the Dark Cave, a treasure trove of archaeology. What makes this cave stand out, I think, is its rich history dating back to the Neanderthals who called it home around 50-60 thousand years ago. It is a bit of a letdown that the cave’s dripstone cover was destroyed by visitors in the 19th century, but I can tell you that about 30 meters from the entrance, you’ll find massive stalagmites, one even resembling a lion! As you go further, you’ll come across 'noodles’, tubular stalagmites adding to the eerie beauty of the place.
Unfortunately, the main section of the cave is closed off by an iron grate, but the rest is free for you to explore.
- This is the Google Maps location of the dark cave.
Visit and Ticket Information
If you want to journey into the Dark Cave, the entrance fee is PLN 9 for a standard ticket and PLN 5 for a discounted one. The cave is open from April 23 to October 6. From April to September, it’s open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and in October from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, with visitors allowed in on the hour.
The Bat Cave in Ojców National Park
If you need another cavernous adventure, the Bat Cave near Ojców National Park is a must-visit. I am convinced that this is one of the largest and most interesting dripstone caves from the Jurassic period. It’s worth noting that the Bat Cave can only be explored with a guide from April to October.
Inside, you’ll find one of the most expansive rooms open to the public, stretching 30 meters in length, 20 meters in width, and reaching a height of 9.5 meters. This cave served as the resting place for various animals, including mammoths and hyenas. But as the name suggests, bats, both extinct and extant, dominate the fossil record here.
- I suggest you also read this article about dangerous animals in Poland: A Guide to the Most Dangerous Animals Found in Poland
Being there, you need to know that this cave holds traces of prehistoric humans too. Tools and vessels dating back to an astounding 38,000 years were found here. And let’s not forget the incredible variety of karst formations, including stalagmites and stalactites of various shapes, just waiting to be admired.
- This is the Google Maps location of the cave.
Visit and Ticket Information
If you’re excited to explore the Bat Cave, a ticket will cost you PLN 10 for a standard ticket and PLN 7 for a discounted one. The cave opens its doors from April 1 to September 30, between 9:00 am and 5:30 pm, and from October 1 to November 11, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.
Rock Formations and Marvelous Monoliths in Ojców National Park
„Hercules’s Mace” – A Stone Testament to Legend and Lore
The wonders of the Ojców National Park aren’t confined to its extensive system of caves. The park also boasts spectacular rock formations in the open, many bearing names as intriging as their forms. The most famous among these is Hercules’s Mace, alternatively known as Falcon Rock. This limestone monadnock has, under the tireless work of erosive forces, assumed a shape remarkably resembling a club.
Two legends intertwine with this towering stone. The first involves Master Twardowski, who in a pact with the devil was asked to perform three tasks before his soul could be claimed. One of these tasks was to relocate a specific rock from Sucha Beskidzka to Ojców. The devil, naturally, didn’t need to be asked twice.
The second story explains the rock’s more popular name, Falcon Rock. This tale tells of a peasant from the nearby town of Skała who was wrongfully imprisoned at the top of Ojców’s castle tower. In a plea for freedom, the castle steward demanded a falcon’s egg from the nest perched atop Hercules’s Mace.
After days of fruitless attempts, the prisoner fell into a resigned sleep. He was then carried to the summit by a group of falcons, who offered him a chick. True to his word, the steward set him free, and henceforth the monadnock has been known as Falcon Rock.
- Here you can find the Google Maps location of the spot.
Krakow Gate – A Passage Through Time
Another beloved attraction is the Krakowska Gate, named so as it once hosted a trade route between Kraków and Silesia. It is composed of two distinct columns, one standing about 20 meters high and the other a tad smaller at 15 meters.
- This is Google map location of the Krakow gate.
The Gate comes with its own legend, whispering that the distance between the columns is gradually shrinking and that when they finally meet, it will signal the end of the world. This foreboding tale has led many visitors to prop up the Gate with sticks in a symbolic gesture to forestall such a cataclysm.
„Glove” – The Divine Handprint
Situated in the heart of the Prądnik Valley, near the entrance to the Dark Cave, lies a distinct rock formation known as the Glove. This rock is among the most striking features within the confines of the Ojców National Park.
Also referred to as the Five Finger or the White Hand, the rock’s form has inspired its own unique legend. It is believed that during an invasion by the Tatars, the local people sought refuge in the cave behind the rock.
According to the tale, God Himself sealed the entrance to the cave with His hand to hide the terrified villagers. Once the danger had passed and the villagers emerged from their hideaway, they found that where God’s hand had rested, there stood a rock resembling the divine appendage.
Deotyma Needle – A Monument to Poetry
Deep within the Prądnik Valley, you’ll discover the slender, towering formation known as Deotyma Needle. The name is a fusion of its physical attributes and literary inspiration. The „needle” portion of the name references its tall, slender form. The „Deotyma” is the pseudonym of the renowned poet Jadwiga Łuszczewska, who purportedly penned her poems while residing in the villa Pod Koroną, conveniently located next to the monolith.
- Pictures on Google map location can be found here.
Hill Mount Trenches – A Historical Hiking Haven
The Prądnik Valley is embraced by a collection of hills, with the most celebrated among them being Hill Mount Trenches or Góra Okopy. Ascending this hill via a scenic 2-kilometer pathway starting from the Dark Cave allows you to take in the stunning panorama of the valley. This vista is further enhanced with descriptive markers, ensuring that you fully appreciate the landscape before you.
- More pictures and Google map location of The Rock: Click Here
Reaching the summit reveals the remnants of ramparts, testament to a settlement thought to have been established by Konrad Mazowiecki in the 12th century. The juxtaposition of the natural splendor and the historical echoes lends a unique charm to Hill Mount Trenches, making it an absolute must-visit spot in the park.
Castles and Chalets of Ojców National Park
- I suggest you also read the this article about castles I wrote: 10 Extraordinary Castles Near Kraków for a Perfect Day Trip
Ojców Castle – The Crown Jewel
As we delve into the human-influenced features of the landscape, it would be remiss not to highlight one of the main attractions of the Ojców National Park – the Ojców Castle, also known as Kazimierzowski Castle. This architectural masterpiece, constructed in the latter half of the 14th century, was a part of the Eagles’ Nests defense system.
Visitors have the opportunity to tour the castle tower, home to a model of the castle and a historical exhibition. A trip to the top of the castle hill presents a breathtaking view of the entire valley. Tradition has it that the original name of the stronghold was Ociec, in honor of Władysław Łokietek’s battle for the throne of Kraków. This may be the origin of the name of the village, Ojców. Despite its tumultuous history, which left the castle in ruins, it remains a sight to behold.
- More pictures on Google map location of their Castle: Click Here
The castle welcomes visitors daily from April 6 to November 11, barring Easter and November 1. It opens at 9:00 am, with the last entries at 16:45 in April and September, 17:45 from May to August, 15:45 in October, and 15:00 in November. Entry fees are PLN 4 for a standard ticket and PLN 2 for a concessionary ticket.
Pieskowa Skała Castle in Ojców
Another castle of note is Pieskowa Skała Castle, another link in the Eagles’ Nests chain. This exquisite monument belongs to the state treasury and has been meticulously restored post-World War II, eventually becoming a branch of the State Art Collection at Wawel. The castle also hosts educational programs, offering historical immersion for various age groups.
- Pictures on Google map location can be found here: Open Google Maps
Other Attractions of Ojców National Park
Wooden Structures of the Prądnik Valley
Further adding to the park’s charm are the wooden buildings in the village of Ojców. Since the mid-19th century, this area functioned as a health resort, resulting in the construction of hotels and boarding houses for patients. These structures were designed in the Alpine style, complete with regional adornments.
- Pictures from Google map location can be found here.
While few of these buildings remain today, and those that do are severely damaged, some of them are still worth visiting. These include the Hotel pod Kazimierzem, Bazar Lwowski, Hotel pod Łokietkiem, Willa pod Berłem, and Willa pod Koroną. Conveniently located in the Prądnik Valley, these historical buildings are easy to spot.
Chapel on the Water
Another gem in the crown of Ojców National Park is the Chapel on the Water. Constructed on the site of former spa baths, the chapel exterior boasts an amalgamation of local and foreign architectural styles. The chapel’s unique location on water is attributed to a clever maneuver to sidestep the tsar’s prohibition on building on paternal land.
- More pictures in the Google Maps location of the Chapel can be found here
Jonaszówka – The Watchtower of the Park
An intriguing vantage point in Ojców National Park is Jonaszówka, presenting a magnificent view of Ojców and the Prądnik Valley. Its unmissable location, at the foot of every trail leading from Ojców towards the Prądnik Valley, makes it a must-visit. Also known as Fat Janek, this rock towers 20 meters high, with a comfortably accessible ascent.
- The Google Maps location of the spot can be found here.
The Eternal Spring – Source of Love
Lying near the Krakowska Gate along the Trail of the Eagles’ Nests, the renowned spring known as the Source of Love awaits visitors. As per local legend, any couple sipping water from this spring will remain in love for the rest of their lives.
- Here you can find more pictures on Google maps location of the spring
Nestled in the captivating Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska, the spring offers a serene retreat best enjoyed during off-peak seasons or early mornings. The popularity of the Ojców National Park surges during the summer, drawing large crowds to its scenic landscapes.
For enthusiasts of hiking and cycling, the park offers a host of marked trails to make exploration more delightful and safe. The primary Eagles’ Nests Jurassic Trail courses through Ojców National Park, as does the Jurassic Fortresses Trail. Other intriguing paths include the yellow trail traversing the Sąspowska Valley and the greenn trail around Góra Okopy, a historical hill fort.
Dining Options and Restaurants in Ojców National Park
Renowned for its delightful local flavors, Ojców National Park offers a variety of dining establishments nestled within the picturesque Prądnik Valley. Some of the notable eateries include the Sąspówka Bar, Pstrąg Ojcowski, Złoty Ziemniak Bar, „Pod Bocianem” Restaurant, Piwnica pod Nietoperzem, Café Niezapomnijka, Zazamcze, Wernyhora Inn, and Herbowa Restaurant.
However, it’s important to note that operational hours for some of these establishments may vary by season or specific dates. Therefore, before planning a visit, it’s recommended to check the current schedules on the individual restaurants’ websites.
Worth the Journey? An Emphatic Yes!
As evidenced by the range of attractions, the park offers an easy, delightful, and enriching experience devoid of the often congested Zakopianka or long, challenging trails.
It’s perfectly suitable for families, including children, but do remember to dress warmly for the cave tours, given their lower temperatures of around 8 degrees Celsius.
Enrich your journey by familiarizing yourself with the fascinating legends tied to different places within the park. Better yet, consider hiring a guide to make your exploration even more insightful.
Given the park’s sprawling beauty and the array of attractions it houses, setting aside at least two days for the trip could enhance the experience. One day might not suffice to truly soak in the captivating charm of this enchanting place.
Ojców National Park comes highly recommended not just for its breathtaking vistas but also for the palpable sense of history that pervades its landscapes. This park lets you touch and feel the pulse of centuries of history, making it a truly unique destination.
References:
- http://www.ojcowskiparknarodowy.pl/
- https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ojcowski_Park_Narodowy
