Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the national park's car park below the ruins of Ojców castle, built by Kazimierz the Great, walk north up the Prądnik valley on the red path, past the wooden chapel built over the stream and between limestone crags. Beyond Grodzisko and Młynnik the path climbs out of the valley through woods and fields, then drops to Maczuga Herkulesa (Hercules' Club), a tall limestone pillar, below the Renaissance castle of Pieskowa Skała. Return the same way.
It is 16.6 km there and back with 474 m of ascent; allow about 5½ hours. The grade is Moderate: easy walking, much of it on quiet lanes and the valley road, with a few short climbs.
Ojców is the smallest national park in Poland, and entry is free; the castles and caves charge separately. Dogs must be kept on a lead. Parts of the valley road carry cars, so take care.
The park's car parks in Ojców charge by the started hour: 10 zł at Pod Zamkiem, 8 zł at Złota Góra, 1.5 km away.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Ojców is the smallest national park in Poland, a limestone valley just north of Kraków
- Past the ruins of Kazimierz the Great's castle at Ojców and the wooden chapel built over the Prądnik
- Maczuga Herkulesa (Hercules' Club), a limestone pillar about 25 m high, stands below the Renaissance castle of Pieskowa Skała
- Entry to the park is free; its car parks charge by the hour
Getting there
Start: Parking Pod Zamkiem, Ojców · Pay and display. 50.21121, 19.83137
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Parking Pod Zamkiem: Booking.com → Expedia →
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Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.