Marcel Burger - Third time's the charm

Ojców is like stepping into some sort of Narnia. A little north of the city, the village and surrounding national park are, especially in summer, a popular day escape from Kraków. As a national park it was established in 1956. With 21.46 km2 (8.29 sq mi) it is the smallest national park of the country. It has a slim valley, surrounded by steep limestone clifs, and a lot of forest. It even holds up to 400 caves, but many are small or cannot be visited. However, the largest is a nice 320 metres (1,050 ft) deep. The valley of the modest Prądnik river holds some houses, places to eat and places to stay.

The famous "Glove Rock" (Skała Rękawica), October 2026.

Zamek Ojców, or Ocjów Castle, was one key in protection of the southern edges of the Polish kingdom. It was built on order of King Kazimierz III The Great, in the 14th Century. For many visitors it is the starting point of a walk through the park, as the tourist information office and modest main car park are located at its foot. Photo taken in October 2026.

Entrance to the National Park from the main parking in winter.

Two pedestrians enjoying the autumn colours near the main parking, October 2026.

The St. Joseph Church near the northern entrance to the park, October 2026.

The visitors' centre at the northern car park, October 2026.

The settlement near Ocjów Castle, winter.

The green trail brings one high up on the limestone cliffs, and gives spectacular views. October 2026.

Photos from the green trail, October 2026.

A red delivery van down in the valley hundreds of metres below. October 2026.

View north from high up on the green trail, October 2026.

Down below is the easy road.

The meandering river seen from high up on the green trail.

One of the homes in the valley of the national park, October 2026.

A couple holding hands near the Krakowian gate, October 2026.

The damaged wooden building that stood at the entrance for a long time. In Autumn 2026 it was gone.

The Love Pond

View on the settlement of houses, places to stay and restaurants at the foot of Ojców Castle.

Same scene, August 2025.

Among the locals - and visitors from Kraków - locally grown, smoked river trout (pstrąg in Polish) is a welcome delicacy. The fishery and restaurant is open almost year round, at the end of the settlement pictured in the photos above this one.

The fish ponds near the restaurant, October 2026.

The Krakowian Gate (Brama Krakowska), a 15 metres (45 feet) high natural Jurassic rock gateway in/out the valley of Ocjów National Park.

The Western approach

As an alternative for the busy main entrance to the park on the northern side, the Western approach features its own car park, making it an easy start for the more than 300 metres down to the valley. There is a hardened road, handy for cyclists and destination traffic. However, the yellow trail starting just in before the official national park border is more fun. It gives splendid wide views over fields, which are followed by a forest and — depending on the trails conditions — a more challenging way down into the valley. It probably gives on the most Narnia feeling to take the yellow road, without the bricks.

One of the trees near the western car park, October 2026.

The yellow trail starts hardened, but softens up soon.

Close-up of some greenery, October 2026.

Later the yellow trails leads into the forest, and here one goes downhill.

A holy house to bring the hiker the best, on the way down of the yellow trail, October 2026.

When spotting the homes in the valley, one is almost down.

The final bit from the western approach (yellow trail) brings you alongside a stream that guides you to the main trail of Ojców National Park, early morning October 2026.

The Southern approach

Ojców is fun year round, just try to avoid sunny Saturdays and Sunday, as the Krakowians tend to visit it by mass. Most will start at or near Ojców Castle, but the southern approach - from the direction of the village of Prądnik Korzkiewski - is a joy too. Photos from March 2024.

The Eastern approach

Even less popular, apart from with the locals, is the Eastern approach. From the village of Smardzowice there are two main entry paths into Ojców National Park. Photos from March 2024.

Hidden from the eye, in between the house and trees in front and the ridge with houses in the distance, flows the Pradnik river through the Ojców National Park valley.

The Eastern approach gives one a different view on the settlement near Ojców Castle, when nearing the end of the trail down.