Mnikowska Valley
Town: Mnik贸w Nearby: Krak贸w
stroller Route for stroller (small wheels)
directions_bike Bike route
directions_bike Bike route without motorized traffic
beach_access Route in the shade
directions_bus Can be reached by bus
Mnikowska Valley is a picturesque rocky gorge with steep walls located in the village of Mnik贸w (about 20 km from Krakow). The valley is traversed by the Sanka stream. The area is a nature reserve and is home to numerous bats.
- It is possible to walk with a stroller, although there may be some difficulties in some places (paved path, near the stream, narrow wooden bridges - the narrower the stroller, the better)
- The path is heavily shaded, and on hot days, the rocks provide a pleasant coolness
- In the valley, there is a picnic meadow with benches
- There are no food outlets, but there is a grocery store in Mnik贸w
- Parking is available at the northern entrance to the valley - Ska艂ki hamlet
- You can reach the valley by suburban bus line 269 from Salwator stop to Mnik贸w Sklep stop
Mnikowska Valley
This is a short valley, about 2 km long, but very beautiful, surrounded by limestone rocks. It is perfect for a walk with young children who are just learning to walk longer distances or for older people. The trail leads along a forest path next to the Sanka stream, and during the walk, we pass several wooden bridges. In the summer, the valley offers blissful shade, and the surrounding rocks provide a pleasant coolness. In the valley, there is a spacious picnic meadow with benches and a rock altar with a painted image of the Virgin Mary.
Rock Altar
On the rock in Mnikowska Valley, there is a painting of the Skalna Madonna (this image was later restored), and below the painting, there is an altar and benches. Along the steps leading to the altar, there are stations of the cross.
Rocky Gorge, Spring, and Caves
The depth of the gorge carved in Jurassic limestone reaches 80 m. There are many caves in the valley, but they are not open for visiting. Many of them show traces of prehistoric human habitation. In the upper part of the reserve, right next to the tourist trail, there is a spring. The water flows from under a high rock. The water from the spring has low yield (about 0.5 liters per second) but high mineralization of 553mg/l.
Picnic Meadow
In the valley, there is a meadow with tables and a place for picnics. If the wind is blowing from the east, we may see airplanes approaching to land, which often becomes an additional attraction for children.
When the valley is not enough for us...
Near Mnikowska Valley, we can also find other walking trails:
1. Entrance to the P贸艂rzeczki Gorge and Na 艁opiankach Cave - the entrance to the trail is located right next to the parking lot of Mnikowska Valley in the village of Ska艂y:
Easy
P贸艂rzeczki Gorge and Na 艁opiankach Cave
2. We can also take the black trail from Mnikowska Valley to the nearby Zimny D贸艂 Reserve.
Medium
Zimny D贸艂 Reserve - Trail Among the Rocks
PS. We included this route in the article "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. ...
Publish Date: 2022-05-02
More in the Region Jura (Jura)
Total Length 122 km
