Table Mountains · Easy · Circular

Szczeliniec Wielki from Karłów

Up some 680 stone steps to the top of Szczeliniec Wielki, the highest point of the Table Mountains, and round its maze of sandstone crevices.

Distance
4.0 km (2.5 mi)
Ascent
159 m
Time
About 1 h 30 min
High point
910 m
Grade
Easy

Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.

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Szczeliniec Wielki from Karłów
Geroo · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The walk

From the car park in Karłów, walk north up the lane and the path to the foot of Szczeliniec Wielki, then climb the long stone stairway, about 680 steps, to the PTTK hostel on its rim. A one-way route leads across the top among sandstone pillars and through crevices, past the summit, 919 m, the cold, narrow chasm of Piekiełko and the southern terraces, then down a separate stairway. Return to Karłów.

It is 4 km with 159 m of ascent; allow about 1½ hours. The grade is Easy: short, but with many steps and narrow, sometimes slippery crevices.

The route over the top is ticketed (16 zł in 2026) and limited to 400 people an hour; tickets are sold online in hourly slots, with no refunds. In October it is open from 9:00 to 16:00, and the season ends on 11 November; out of season you go at your own risk. Dogs are not allowed.

The car parks in Karłów charge; the national park's own, at its training centre, costs 15 zł from 8:00 to 20:00.

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

  • Szczeliniec Wielki, 919 m, is the highest point of the Table Mountains, a sandstone plateau cut by crevices and pillars
  • About 680 stone steps lead up to the PTTK hostel and the start of the one-way route over the top
  • The route passes through narrow crevices and the cold chasm of Piekiełko, and down by separate stairs
  • The route over the top is ticketed and limited to 400 people an hour

Summits on the way

  • Szczeliniec Wielki 922 m

Getting there

Start: Karłów car park · Pay and display. 50.47446, 16.33804

Directions to the start

Places to stay nearby

Rooms in and around Table Mountains: Booking.com → Expedia →

Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.

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.