Ojców National Park

Ojców National Park is a national park in the Polish Jura in Małopolska Voivodship, Poland. It is one of the smallest national parks in Poland by area.

Understand

Ojców National Park

Maczuga Herkulesa

History

Ojców National Park was first mostly a logging site and fertilizer was extracted from local caves, damaging the landscape. Efforts to protect beauty of this area began in 19th century by buying lands from industrialists to prevent it from further degradation. A regional museum was founded in Ojców in late 19th century. The park was officialy established in 1956.

Landscape

Ojców National Park is characterized by karst landscape contained within small valley of the Prądnik brook. Many memorable rock formations, caves and ravines carved within limestone can be found here.

Get in

Minibuses leave from the car park and bus station in Kraków on Worcella street very close to the train station. Single fare is ~8 zł. The way takes about 45 minutes, but this might be because it goes around lots of small villages which it may not always do. Some of the return buses from Ojców do not automatically run, there is a number to call to ask them to run. You may not have great mobile reception at the bus stop, and the operator may not speak English.

Fees and permits

Entrance to the park is free of charge.

See

Museums

• 1 Pieskowa Skała Castle, ☏ +48 12 389 60 04, pieskowaskala@wawelzamek.pl. Castle founded around 14th century and refitted in 15th century in mostly Renaissance style. There is a museum of Old Polish culture, European art (related to Wawel museum), castle history and English interiors. (updated Jan 2025)
• 2 Hermitage of Blessed Salomea (Pustelnia błogosławionej Salomei), Skała 5 (on top of rock, car access from east). Small hermitage on top of a rock built in Romanesque style in 13th century with altar, grave of Christ and Salomea's bed. (updated Jan 2025)

Rocks

• 3 Maczuga Herkulesa. The most prominent piece of rock in entire park. Impossible to miss on the way to the castle. (updated Jan 2025)
• 4 Skały Wdowie (visible from road 773). Small rock formation bearing some resemblance to women with children on their hands (updated Jan 2025)
• 5 Igła Deotymy, Ojców 51. Small limestone outcrop covered in vine which turns red in autumn. (updated Jan 2025)
• 6 Rękawica (south of Ojców, behind Prądnik river). Large limestone tower resembling a glove in shape. (updated Jan 2025)
• 7 Kraków Gate (Brama Krakowska) (opposite of Rękawica, south of Ojców). Limestone rock formation resembling a gate (without top arch though). (updated Jan 2025)

Caves

• 8 Łokietek Cave (Jaskinia Łokietka). Around 300 meter long cave which was reportedly a temporary shelter of Polish prince Władysław I Łokietek. It is largest cave accessible to visitors in the park. 20 zł. (updated Jan 2025)

Do

• 1 Pochylec (near intersection of road 773 and Ojców road). Limestone rock tower inclined at significant angle. One of toughest climbs in Poland, small wooden platform and a toilet are located at start. (updated Jan 2025)

Sleep

Stay safe

Only nuisance in the park may be poor cell phone range due to being located inside valley. Also be careful, as wet limestone can be quite slippery.

Go next

• Kraków
• Ogrodzieniec