Cracow Valleys, interesting tourist attractions of the Southern Jurassic

The Krakowskie or Podkrakowskie valleys in the Jura are picturesque valleys and ravines of often small streams, located in the southern part of theJura. They are located slightly west of Krakow, hence their name. These are great places for tourists, but also photographers, because they offer wonderful landscapes! 

Many of the valleys here are very tasty for tourists, as they offer beautiful landscapes, wonderful outcrops, often monuments and other attractions, including waterfalls unique in the Jura! It is also one of the best climbing areas in the Jura, and therefore also in Poland. The yellow Jurassic Valley Trail leads through this area.

1. Będkowska Valley

Once my favorite, now cars drive up to Brandysówka and it got louder here, especially on weekends. The Sokolica rock - the highest in the Jura - is extremely impressive here. It is climbed by daredevils, but from the side you can climb it along the path, although it is a steep approach. Nearby, there is also the waterfall Szum - the largest in the Jura.

2. Bolechowice Valley

With the famous Bolechowice Gate, very impressive. Climbers train here, many Polish climbers started here. The valley itself is about 3 km long, located in Bolechowice. On warm weekends, there are also a lot of tourists here.

3. Eliaszówka Valley

A wonderful place for autumn walks. Very quiet, located near the abbey in Czerna, next to the ruins of a stone bridge called the Devil's Bridge. You will also find several springs here.

4. Szklarka Valley

The valley of the Szklarka stream is about 9 km long and stretches from Jerzmanowice through Szklary to Dubia. We crossed it along the red circular trail. It gets lost in places, but offers a diverse landscape and wild corners. Tourists don't visit here very often.

5. Kobylańska Valley

Nice and increasingly popular Kobylańska allows you to admire goats in the season. The rocks are available all year round 😉 Kobylańska with a length of 4 km is very winding, and on the slopes there are interesting limestone rocks - Monk, Frog Horse, Pieniki, Bodzio, Cynówka and others. These spines are eagerly used for climbing. At the top of the most spectacular Frog Horse stands a cross, and in one of the grottoes a chapel was built to commemorate the apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1914. Free parking and picnic sheds are available on site.

6. Kluczwoda Valley

It lies between the villages of Wierzchów and Bolechowice. The valley is about 6 km long. The remains of the castle have been preserved on the top of the highest rock, but it is difficult to see them, but the views from here are nice. You will also find former border poles. They stand at the entrance to the valley, from the side of Wierzchów (Wierzchowska Street). It is best to start the walk here, with free parking, because the further part towards Bolechowice is currently closed by a private owner.

7. Ore Valley

It lies between Zabierzów and Szczyglice, at the southern ends of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. The breakthrough of the Rudawa River can be seen nicely from the beautiful and high Kmita Rock.

8. Peach Valley

It is located between the towns of Brzoskwinia and Chrosna. From the side of the first village, in the northern part it is wide and gentle. It covers buildings, while towards the south it turns into a rocky gorge with protruding rocks. There is a red marked sightseeing and teaching path "Chrośnianeczka" - a loop about 4 km long.

9. Aleksandrowicka Valley

It stretches near Aleksandrowice. A red-marked walking trail leads through the most interesting parts of the valley. It is a loop 2.5 km long. A walk along the Valley is best to start near the pitch in Aleksandrowice, where picnic spots are waiting. Soon afterwards, we will come across the legendary Krzywy Sąd (Crooked Court). It's the one with the cross. From its summit you will see planes over Balice and in the distance Bielany.

10. Racławka Valley

Covered to a large extent by a reserve, it lies between the towns of Dubie and Racławice. There are 3 marked didactic paths - nature and 2 geological paths and the yellow route of the Jurassic Valleys. The slopes are steep and delight with rocks.

11. Mnikowska Valley

Located in the Liszki commune, just north of Mników. On the route you will find a picture of Our Lady of Skalka beautifully integrated into the rocks. It is worth approaching it by steep stairs with the Way of the Cross. There is a spectacular view from above. The rock hides the Cave Above the Mother of God.

12. Sanka Valley

One of the biggest in the area. Strongly forested, abundant in rocks. Here you will find the mysterious and somewhat dark reserve of Zimny Dół.

13. Dłubnia Valley

A quiet place with nice springs, a monastery and an old parish church. On the route through it and the Ostrusznia Gorge, we did not meet a living spirit. It was a total of 11 km.

14. Prądnik Valley

In my opinion, the most beautiful valley of this area, although it no longer belongs to a landscape park. At the same time, it is the most besieged. Located in Ojców, it offers castles, extremely impressive rocks, caves and beautiful trails. There are quite a few of them here, and the most scenic is green through the Trench Mountain.

15. Sąspowska Valley

Located next to Prądnik, it belongs to Ojcowski Park. This valley is much wilder and completely peaceful. Beautiful for a walk away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is led by the yellow Jurassic Valley Trail, over the charming Sąspówka stream.

Attractions and monuments in the Krakow Valleys

• Carmelite Fathers Monastery in Czerna, with a Sanctuary, hermit cottages, the source of Elijah or the ruins of the Devil's Bridge
• The Noise Waterfall in the Będkowska Valley - the highest in this region
• Sokolica in the Będkowska Valley - the highest rock in the Jura, over 90 meters high
• Elephant's Ass in the Będkowska Valley - a large, extensive last resort, favorite by climbers
• Brandysówka in the Będkowska Valley - an iconic shelter, a place for climbers and more
• Bolechowice Gate in the Bolechowice Valley - the most magnificent rock gate in the region
• Cascade in the Bolechowicka Valley
• Wierzchowska Górna Cave in Wierzchow - available for a fee to tourists in the season
• Mammoth Cave in Wierzchów - open all year round
• Bat Cave in Jerzmanowice - available for a fee to tourists in the high season
• Castle Rock in the Kluczwoda Valley
• Reconstruction of border poles in the Kluczwoda Valley (between the Austrian and Russian partitions)
• Wooden Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Paczółtowice
• Manor complex in Garlica Murowana
• Manor house in Modlnica
• Wooden Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Racławice
• Manor complex in Kobylany
• Imbramowice Monastery
• Source of Hydrographs in Imbramowice
• Ojców Castle
• Pieskowa Skała Castle
• Dark Cave
• Elbow Cave
• Krakow Gate

Valleys near Krakow for prams

In general, these areas are rather inaccessible to prams, both for children and people with disabilities. The trails lead through ravines through forest areas. But a few provide beautiful scenery and walking areas also for people with disabilities and families with small children. Such is, for example, the wonderful Prądnik Valley in the Ojców National Park, which is led by an asphalt road. It is similar in the beautiful Będkowska street with an asphalt path.

Dolinki Krakowskie Landscape Park

In this extremely picturesque and at the same time valuable natural area, a Landscape Park was created. Its area is over 20,000 hectares. It stretches from Michałowice to Bukowno, covering the area of 9 communes: Bukowno, Jerzmanowice - Przeginia, Krzeszowice, Michałowice, Olkusz, Trzebinia, Wielka Wieś, Zabierzów and Zielonki.

Reserves in the vicinity of Krakow

Several nature reserves have also been created in the Park. Interestingly, they protect not only living nature, but above all inanimate nature. And it consists of outcrops, caves and outcrops, i.e. karst springs. The most interesting reserves in this area include the Bolechowicki Gorge, where, among others, the famous Bolechowicka Gate or the Eliaszówka Valley are protected. It is also worth visiting the Cold Bottom Nature Reserve in Czułów. It is near the Mnikowska Valley. The Racławka Valley is also peculiar.

Where to eat in the Krakow Valleys?

Some valleys are completely devoid of gastronomic points, such as Sąspowska, Dłubni or Bolechowicka. On the other hand, Prądnik offers a lot of restaurants and cafes, as well as a delicious Ojcowski Trout near Jonaszówka. In Będkowska, you will eat both lunch and dessert in the iconic Brandysówka. And on the old road to Krakow, in Jerzmanowice, you will find a delicious Chochołowy Dwór. It is a hotel with a restaurant, offering Polish or Italian cuisine, with seasonal products.

Accommodation in the Valleys

In this area, we offer the Chochołowy Dwór hotel in Jerzmanowice, with a beautiful bypass. It is a few minutes' drive from Będkowska and 10 minutes from Prądnik and Sąspowska. There is also a fantastic Jura Glamp near Ojcowski Park. It is a comfortable camping, a very nice place. We really liked it there, completely off the beaten track. In Krakow, on the other hand, the Qubus Hotel, verified by us, is waiting for you.

Practical information

All year round 24/7
Admission: free
Parking: free and paid, depending on the valley. The most expensive car parks are in Ojców National Park

Cracow Valleys
Southern Jura