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From Sułkowice to Kaniowa Góra, to Devil's Stone and to the Scenic Clearing

Region:

Beskidy (Beskidy), Okolica Krakowa (The Surroundings of Krakow), Małopolskie (Małopolskie), Beskid Makowski (Beskid Makowski)

straighten 6.4km

timer 2h 41min

north_east 435m

south_east 191m

Difficult - Dangerous spots/sections on the route

The slope of the terrain
Route in the shade
Restaurant or bar nearby
Playground along the route
Can be reached by bus

Idea for a One-Day Trip Near Krakow

A mountain hike to the real Devil's Stone with a scenic clearing, combined with a rest on the beach by a recreational reservoir - all just 24 kilometers from Krakow, and you can get there even without a car. Make sure to add this place to your list of ideas for a day trip!

If you want to visit the Devil's Stone, wear hiking boots - the trail is short but steep and rocky. If you have hiking poles, it's a good idea to bring them too.

Shady trail, perfect for hot days: the path mostly goes through the forest. It's not a scenic route, but it's very interesting, and there is a view: near the top of Kaniowa Góra, you can reach an open clearing.

Sułkowice - Getting There and Bus Stops

Sułkowice is a town located 24 kilometers from Krakow towards Kalwaria Zebrzydowska. Buses go here, like the ones to Zawoja. Check the x-bus schedule. It takes about 45 minutes from the center of Krakow, and about 30 minutes from Borek Fałęcki to reach Sułkowice. The bus stops in Sułkowice are at the market square, near the church.

For those with a car, parking is available on ks. Józefa Sadzika Street, which leads to the reservoir.

Parking on ks. Józefa Sadzika Street, near the reservoir in Sułkowice

By the main pedestrian alley, near the primary school, there is a playground for children with swings, sandboxes, wooden houses, and climbing frames.

Playground for Children Near the Reservoir in Sułkowice

Reservoir in Sułkowice - Recreation Spot and Trail Start

In Sułkowice, there is a small but beautifully located artificial water reservoir - by the reservoir, there are wooden piers and platforms for anglers, benches, walking paths, an amphitheater, and a small beach. In the season, there is a food point: a café, a bar serving hot meals, and a water equipment rental, including pedal boats.

Starting the Yellow Trail to Kaniowa Góra

The trail entrance is by the reservoir - head up near the building with food outlets. We will walk along the Barnasiówka range, part of the Wieliczka Foothills. Initially, the path leads through meadows and gently climbs up.

Start of the Yellow Trail by the Reservoir in Sułkowice

Forest, Rocky Gorge

Soon the trail runs through a forest gorge with a rocky bottom and steep slope. The gorge itself: mossy tree trunks, hanging roots looks magical, but passing through the gorge (especially descending) is not easy. Be very careful. After rain, the rocks can be slippery, in spring dry leaves and tree roots can be tricky.

Barnasiówka Ridge: Dalin and Kaniowa Góra (545 m a.s.l.)

Before the summit of Dalin (Góra Pisana), the path flattens and gently leads us along the Barnasiówka ridge, part of the Wieliczka Foothills. Almost the entire ridge is covered with forest, so the trail is not scenic, but it has its charm. We reach the next summit, Kaniowa Góra (545 m a.s.l.).

At Kaniowa Góra, the yellow trail splits and one branch leads us to the Devil's Stone - it takes about 20 minutes to get there, but be careful - the path is steep, with about 80 meters of elevation difference to overcome.

Devil's Stone

This is an interesting rock formation located on the northern slope of Kaniowa Góra in the Barnasiówka range. One of them is a rock tower about 10 meters high, the other - a rock wall 40 meters long, 6-4 meters wide. Devil's Stone is the only natural monument in the Sułkowice Municipality. They are made of Istebna sandstone, more resistant to weathering. In some places, the rocks have rusty-yellow discolorations caused by higher iron content and round depressions.

Like other "devil's stones," this one also has a legend:

"After the sanctuary in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska was built, peace and harmony prevailed among the people. The devil couldn't stand it and decided to destroy the sanctuary with a huge boulder. However, he made a deal with St. Peter, according to which he had to leave the stone where the rooster's crow would catch him. The stone was so heavy and he carried it from so far away that he didn't make it before dawn. The rooster's crow caught him as he was passing the Barnasiówka range, and here he left the stone in the forest."

Scenic Clearing Beyond Kaniowa Góra Summit

Beyond the summit of Kaniowa Góra, walking along the Barnasiówka ridge, after about 10 minutes of walking, we reach an open clearing - the only one in the entire densely forested range. It's worth coming here. And from the clearing, you get this view: