Ecological area "Dolina Prądnika"
Town: Krakówbeach_access Route in the shade
restaurant Restaurant or bar nearby
directions_bus Access by public transport
The ecological area Dolina Prądnika is a peaceful oasis of nature in the middle of the city. A walk along the Białucha River (another name for this section of the Prądnik River) offers a chance to relax and have a picnic by the water while listening to birds sing.
How to get to Dolina Prądnika in Krakow?
After the tram line construction, some old entrances to the ecological area "Dolina Prądnika" were blocked. Currently, the easiest way to get here is from Rokosza Street (5 minutes from the Górnickiego tram stop):
...or from the north, from the bridge on Zielone Wzgórze Street:
From Kościuszki Park to Witkowicki Forest through Dolina Prądnika
You can walk along the Prądnik River from the attraction-filled Kościuszki Park (playground, restaurant, ice cream stands) near Dworek Białoprądnicki to Witkowicki Forest (including a forest playground).
Unfortunately, starting from Kościuszki Park, you need to go around the tram viaduct, which means walking to Rokosza Street (and from Witkowicki Forest, walk about 800 meters along Zielone Wzgórze Street).
From Rokosza Street, walk along a dirt road around a fenced apiary and reach the railway viaduct. The comfort of passing under the viaduct depends on the water level in the river, but it is almost always quite muddy.
Under the viaduct, you can choose a path up or down the river. The "down the river" section is short and "dead-end" - it ends near the tram viaduct.
To reach Witkowice, head right, which is up the river.
Just past the viaduct, you'll find an old information board with a map. It used to stand on Górnickiego Street (where the viaduct is now), hence the error in marking our location:
Path through the ecological area Dolina Prądnika
The path winds along the wild, winding banks of the Prądnik River. Crossing to the other side is only possible by "swimming" or over fallen tree trunks:
Here is the crossing to our favorite island on the Prądnik. But we might wait for the water level to drop...
The path doesn't always follow the riverbank. Sometimes it cuts through meadows or the edges of fields. On a sunny day, remember to wear a hat!
Marking the path through the ecological area Dolina Prądnika
The path is marked only by two information boards shown in the photos above. Besides that, you might see faded white and blue signs on some trees. Generally, just follow the river along a wide, trodden path.
What attractions await us in the ecological area Dolina Prądnika?
Above all, peace and quiet, disturbed only by birds singing. You can climb trees, throw sticks into the river, or stop at one of the many "wild benches" and have a small picnic (remember to take all your trash with you!).
On a hot day, it will be nice to cool your feet on one of the stony "mini-beaches" (exact location on the map in the article header):
With a bit of luck, you might find a caddisfly house! These insects, as larvae, build "portable tube houses" from sand grains, pebbles, and shell fragments:
Dolina Prądnika with a bike or stroller?
If you want to walk through the ecological area Dolina Prądnika with a stroller or bike, note that the path can be very narrow in places and muddy after rain. Passing under the railway viaduct (photo at the beginning of the article) will be challenging, and riding over the high, steep bank can be dangerous.
So, theoretically, it's possible, but the path is not designed for this purpose.
Witkowice and what's next?
After reaching Zielone Wzgórze Street, the valley continues north towards the river's source in Ojcowski National Park. Unfortunately, the construction of Krakow's northern bypass blocks the way...
So, you can either turn back or walk to the MPK stop (left to Zielonki or right to Witkowice). You can also visit Witkowice Forest Park (about 800 meters to the right).
Forest Park in Witkowice
Witkowice is a small town located in the northern part of the Krakow agglomeration. Access: You can get here from the Dworzec Główny Wschód bus stop by bus number 115, and from the Krowdrza Górka bus loop (lines 267 and 287). Departures are approximately every half hour. You get off at the Witkowice Nowe stop and just before the stop, you can see a path leading down to the forest park. ...
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