Kraków-Częstochowa Upland: 10 Ideas for One-Day Trips

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Kraków-Częstochowa Upland - What to See?

Kraków-Częstochowa Upland is a very picturesque region in Poland. It stretches from Częstochowa to Kraków and offers many natural and historical attractions. The area has many castles and fortresses that are part of the Eagle Nests Trail. Here are some places you should definitely visit:

1. Ogrodzieniec Castle

This is one of the largest and most impressive castles on the Eagle Nests Trail. Its ruins are beautifully located on the highest hill of the Upland - Janowski Hill, 504 meters above sea level. The castle was used as a filming location for the famous "Janosik", "Revenge", and in April 2019, some scenes for the series "The Witcher" were shot here. No wonder it attracts about 200,000 tourists every year! Kids especially enjoy the evening ghost shows and Sunday knight tournaments held at the castle.

Additional attractions for children near the castle include the Ogrodzieniec Miniature Park, where you can see models of castles from the Eagle Nests Trail, a Rope Park, and an Amusement Park. It's a place full of excitement!

Ogrodzieniec Castle

Ogrodzieniec Castle

Ogrodzieniec Castle - sightseeingThe castle is actually located in the town of Podzamcze, 2 km beyond Ogrodzieniec. It is one of the ...

Ogrodzieniec Castle
Ogrodzieniec Castle
Ogrodzieniec Castle - courtyard
Ogrodzieniec Castle - courtyard

2. Mirów and Bobolice Castles and the Bike Trail from Żarki to the Castles

These two impressive castles are located close to each other. There is a walking trail between them through the so-called Mirowska Ridge and an asphalt path from Żarki to both castles, suitable for biking with children (even with a trailer) or a longer walk with a stroller. The Bobolice Castle, which has been restored, made a special impression on us. Unlike other fortresses on the Eagle Nests Trail, it is not in ruins. Today, it is a beautiful building and one of the most attractive castles in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland.

Mirów and Bobolice Castles - Pearl of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland

Mirów and Bobolice Castles - Pearl of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland

Mirów and Bobolice Castles are two impressive castles located close to each other - about 1 km apart. According to legend, the owners of the castles were twin brothers Mir and Bobol. The names of the fortresses are said to come from their names. ...

Mirów Castle
Mirów Castle

3. Zborów Hill and Głęboka Cave

Some places are so unique and extraordinary that they are hard to describe - without a doubt, the Zborów Hill Reserve is one of the most beautiful spots in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. The treeless hilltop is an excellent viewpoint - the highest point in the former Częstochowa province at 467.5 meters above sea level. It is said that you can see three castles from the top: Ogrodzieniec, Bobolice, and Mirów. The Zborów Hill Reserve also has the Głęboka Cave - the only cave in the Silesian province open to tourists.

Mountain "Góra Zborów" - Trails, Attractions, and Viewpoints

Mountain "Góra Zborów" - Trails, Attractions, and Viewpoints

Góra Zborów is a beautiful, scenic spot in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. ...

Deep Cave

Deep Cave

The Deep Cave is located in the Zborów Mountain Reserve in the small town of Podlesice and is the only cave available for tourist visits in the Silesian province. ...

Góra Zborów, Kraków-Częstochowa Upland
Góra Zborów, Kraków-Częstochowa Upland

4. Olsztyn Castle and Sokole Góry Reserve near Częstochowa

The picturesque ruins of the castle, located 15 kilometers from Częstochowa in the small town of Olsztyn, are one of the most famous and recognizable among the "Eagle Nests." The cylindrical, tall tower and the rock formations surrounding the castle immediately catch the eye. The area around the castle, including the trails in the Sokole Góry Reserve, is also beautiful.

Ruins of Olsztyn Castle near Czestochowa

Ruins of Olsztyn Castle near Czestochowa

The picturesque ruins of a castle located 15 kilometers from Czestochowa in the small town of Olsztyn are one of the most famous and recognizable castles among the "Eagle's Nests". ...

Ruins of the Castle in Olsztyn near Czestochowa
Ruins of the Castle in Olsztyn near Czestochowa
Views from the ruins
Views from the ruins

5. Ojców National Park and Pieskowa Skała Castle

Ojców National Park is one of the smallest but also one of the most picturesque national parks in Poland. Located in the Małopolskie province, about 20 km north of Kraków, it covers an area of only 21.46 km². Despite its small size, the park offers a wealth of natural and scenic attractions that draw tourists from all over the country.

The main natural attraction of Ojców National Park is its unique rock formations, which were formed by karst processes. The Jurassic limestone rocks create numerous gorges, caves, and rock formations with fantastic shapes, such as the famous Hercules' Club or Deotyma's Needle.

Ojcowski National Park

Ojcowski National Park

It is the smallest national park in Poland! But as the old saying goes, "small is beautiful" - so what will we see in Ojców? ...

Ojców National Park
Ojców National Park
View of Pieskowa Skała Castle and the castle garden
View of Pieskowa Skała Castle and the castle garden

6. Parkowe Nature Reserve

Located in the Eagle Nests Landscape Park, the Parkowe Nature Reserve is a vast green area (234.13 hectares) with picturesque ponds, dense forests, and many rock formations and caves, including the famous Twardowski's Gate. The reserve includes the sources of the Wiercica River and their immediate surroundings.

Jurassic Parkowe Nature Reserve and Złoty Potok - trails, ponds, rocks

Easy
directions_walk directions_bike

Jurassic Parkowe Nature Reserve and Złoty Potok - trails, ponds, rocks

Profil wysokości
straighten 3.5km
timer 1h 15min
north_east 156m
south_east 109m
Amerykan Pond
Amerykan Pond

7. Tenczyn Castle in Rudno - On the Trail of Ancient Volcanoes

This was one of the largest castles in Małopolska. The ruins have been restored and are now open to visitors. From the castle hill, there is a beautiful panorama. Interestingly, the castle hill is an ancient, extinct volcano! Colorful crystals, sometimes agates, formed in the lava bubbles. In the nearby Agate Museum in Rudno, you can see a collection of agates gathered by a local enthusiast. The museum also organizes unique agate hunting workshops.

Tenczyn Castle in Rudno - In the Land of Extinct Volcanoes Near Krakow

Tenczyn Castle in Rudno - In the Land of Extinct Volcanoes Near Krakow

Tenczyn Castle is located 24 km west of Krakow, near Krzeszowice. ...

Tenczyn Castle in Rudno - courtyard
Tenczyn Castle in Rudno - courtyard
Agate Museum in Rudno and Agate Finding Workshops
Agate Museum in Rudno and Agate Finding Workshops

8. Błędowska Desert

Błędowska Desert is the largest inland area of moving sands and inland dunes in Poland. Surrounded by forest, the Błędowska Desert covers about 33 km² (almost 10 km long and 4 km wide). It's a unique place worth visiting any time of the year!

Błędów Desert - How to Get There, Viewpoints, Attractions

Błędów Desert - How to Get There, Viewpoints, Attractions

Błędów Desert - the largest inland area of flying sand and dunes in Poland. Surrounded by forest, the Błędów Desert covers an area of approximately 33 km² (less than 10 km long and 4 km wide). ...

Błędów Desert
Błędów Desert

9. Okiennik Wielki and the Bike Trail to the Source of the Warta River

An asphalt bike path runs from the town of Kromołów, where the source of the Warta River is located, past the famous Jurassic rock formation - Okiennik Wielki, and leads to the ruins of Bąkowiec Castle. This is a section of the Eagle Nests Bike Trail. The entire route is an asphalt bike path away from car traffic, safe and suitable for children and bike trailers. It's a good idea to bring your own food - there are no food points nearby.

Bike Path: Source of the Warta - Okiennik Wielki - Ruins of Bąkowiec Castle

Medium
directions_bike

Bike Path: Source of the Warta - Okiennik Wielki - Ruins of Bąkowiec Castle

Profil wysokości
straighten 8.3km
directions_bike timer 1h 9min
north_east 188m
south_east 183m
Bike Path Kromołów-Morsko, with Okiennik Wielki Rock in the Background
Bike Path Kromołów-Morsko, with Okiennik Wielki Rock in the Background

10. The Most Beautiful Jurassic Valleys near Kraków

The white limestone rocks around Kraków hide many amazing trails and paths. In their nooks and crannies, you will find beautiful valleys surrounded by rocks. Many of them are accessible for strollers and bikes. Which ones are worth seeing? Each of the Jurassic valleys near Kraków is different and has its own unique charm.

The Most Beautiful Valleys near Krakow

The Most Beautiful Valleys near Krakow

The valleys near Krakow - which one is the most beautiful? The white, limestone rocks surrounding Krakow hide many extraordinary trails and paths. ...

Mnikowska Valley
Mnikowska Valley
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