Hotels near Ojcowski Park Narodowy

Poland's smallest national park protects 21.46 km² of limestone gorge north of Krakow, and the drive covers about 26 km in roughly 35 minutes. Unibus coaches leave from the Nowy Kleparz stop on ul. Kamienna and reach the Ojców car park in 35 to 40 minutes for 8 zł (around 1.85 EUR). Entry to Ojcowski Park Narodowy costs nothing; you pay only at individual sites. Jaskinia Łokietka, the 320 m cave named for King Władysław Łokietek, charges 30 zł (about 7 EUR) full price and 21 zł (4.85 EUR) reduced. Jaskinia Ciemna is 20 zł (4.60 EUR) and 14 zł (3.25 EUR).

The signature walk is the red Szlak Orlich Gniazd, the Trail of the Eagles' Nests, which runs 13.6 km through the park along the floor of Dolina Prądnika from Prądnik Korzkiewski to Sułoszowa. It passes the ruined Ojców Castle, the Chapel on the Water, the 25 m limestone stack called Maczuga Herkulesa, and ends at the Renaissance castle of Pieskowa Skała. The surface is hardened and close to flat, which leaves the 400-odd caves in the cliffs above to supply the drama.

Pro Tip: Take the Unibus from Nowy Kleparz instead of driving. Parking inside Ojcowski Park Narodowy runs about 10 zł (2.30 EUR) and the lots along Dolina Prądnika fill by mid-morning on summer weekends.