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Ciężkowice Waterfall and Witch's Gorge

Region:

Małopolskie (Małopolskie)

straighten 0.4km

timer 10min

north_east 32m

south_east 46m

Medium - For young hikers, steep sections possible

The slope of the terrain
Route in the shade
Store nearby

Near the Petrified City in Ciężkowice, you can find the picturesque Witch's Gorge and Ciężkowice Waterfall. The blue trail leads us through the gorge, which is a continuation of the journey through the Petrified City. However, the entrance to the gorge is a bit further, on the other side of Millennium Street - so it often remains unnoticed and overlooked. It's a shame, because it's a remarkable spot!

As you descend into the gorge, you'll encounter a significant change in altitude, the descent can be steep and might be tiring for young children and older people
The bottom of the gorge is damp and slippery - be extra careful, especially with young children
The path is rocky and uneven - it's advisable to wear comfortable shoes

Entrance to the gorge

The entrance to the gorge is on the other side of Millennium Street. There is a small parking lot and ticket booths there. You descend into the gorge via wooden steps - it can be steep at times, and the difference in altitude is quite significant.

Entrance to Witch's Gorge from the side of the Rock City in Ciężkowice

Witch's Gorge in Ciężkowice

The gorge itself is a rocky ravine surrounded by mossy, steep walls - it has a unique microclimate. There is a high humidity and very little light reaches the bottom of the gorge. The gorge owes its name to witches, who supposedly gathered here for their sabbaths.

Ciężkowice Waterfall

According to legend, the Ciężkowice Waterfall is the tears of a maiden who was forced to marry a knight from neighboring Rożnów against her will. In the summer, the despair is not too great, as the waterfall is just a small stream of water dripping from a high rock. It's more impressive during the spring thaws, and in winter it reportedly forms picturesque icicles. Even though the name 'waterfall' might suggest something different to tourists, it's definitely worth visiting this charming gorge.