Petrified City in Ciężkowice
Nearby: Tarnów
beach_access Route in the shade
restaurant Restaurant or bar nearby
sports_tennis Attractions for children
directions_car Access by car
train Access by train possible
The Petrified City in Ciężkowice near Tarnów is a very popular and attractive place for a day trip. The Inanimate Nature Reserve awaits us with a forest full of picturesque rocks with fantastic shapes and forms.
- Remember to wear comfortable shoes! The paths in the forest are rugged, it can get steep, and prepare for some considerable changes in altitude.
- A flashlight could be useful for little explorers to illuminate caves and narrow crevices.
- Although the map shows only 2 km and 45 min. one way, take into account frequent stops at rocks, climbing, squeezing through crevices, taking photos, picnics. Our trip took about 5 hours.
- The food facilities at the parking lot are quite decent, but remember to take some food for the road.
- We mainly walk through the forest, but we also pass a few meadows along the way, including one with a beautiful view. It's worth planning a small picnic!
How to get to Petrified City?
The best way is by your own car - although we can get there by train to the PKP Bogoniowice-Ciężkowice station, from there it is still about 3 km to the Rock City, there is no bus communication between the station and the center of Ciężkowice.
The main parking lot and entrance to the Rock City is located on the Tarnów - Nowy Sącz/Gorlice road (Krynicka Street). There is plenty of space here, as well as a small restaurant with guest rooms, smaller food stalls, a souvenir stand, and the official entrance to the reserve (tickets).
A smaller parking lot (without any facilities) is located on Tysiąclecia Street, which the blue trail crosses to reach the waterfall (road from Ciężkowice towards Staszków).
Petrified City: attractions for children
Firstly rocks, secondly rocks... thirdly rocks! We can climb the rocks, look for crevices and mini caves, guess shapes, learn legends... or let our imagination run wild and create our own!
How were Ciężkowice sandstones formed?
Over 100 million years ago the climate was hot and this area was covered by a warm sea belonging to the Tethys Ocean, which is no longer present on the current world map. The unusual rock formations are the ancient seabed. Subsequently, orogenic movements folded and elevated these layers. Water freezing in the rock crevices and wind eroded the rocks giving them unusual shapes. Humans also played a part - until the reserve was established, there was a quarry here where large blocks of rock were detached using pickaxes and dynamite.
Blue trail in the Petrified City Reserve
The blue trail leads us from the parking lot through all the successive rock formations. Each of them is described with an appropriate sign. Additionally, we will also find information on the trail about the process of rock formation. At the ticket office and bar, you can also buy a mini-guide with legends and stories about the rocks.
Petrified City - viewpoint Rock with a Cross
This rock is very distinctive as it has a chimney that allows you to reach its top. According to legend, the Rock with a Cross was a former church, petrified due to the fault of the priest, who gambled with the devil, staked it in the game, and losing this round was turned into stone along with the church. The Rock with a Cross is also a viewpoint of the surroundings and the only rock that we can climb without breaking the rules.
Gorge and Witch's Waterfall
The Ciężkowice Waterfall is actually just a thin stream of water falling from high rocks... but it's very picturesque! The rocky gorge in which it is located, and especially its refreshing coolness, delighted us! The entrance to the waterfall is on the other side of Tysiąclecia Street - therefore it often remains unnoticed and overlooked. But it's a shame, because it's an extraordinary spot!
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Ciężkowice Waterfall and Witch's Gorge
Petrified city - legend and coloring page for children
The name of the reserve is associated with a legend, according to which the rocks in the reserve are the houses of an ancient city, whose master was a cruel and unjust ruler. Due to a curse, the entire city along with its inhabitants was turned to stone… The Paderewski Tower according to the legend was supposed to be one of the watchtowers of the ancient city. As we walk through the petrified city, we will also come across other rocks that used to form a small town, e.g. a church and a town hall.
Map of the Petrified City
Here is the map: the white bat trail is the dotted line departing roughly at the point marked with a shelter.
Town Hall and Witch rocks are red viewpoints on the other side of Krynicka Street:
PS. We chose this route for our ranking "TOP 15: easiest mountain trails for the first hikes with a child". Get to know them all!
TOP 15: Easiest mountain trails for the first hikes with children in Poland
When our toddler outgrows the carrier and wants to hike on their own, we need to choose a trail that suits their abilities. The satisfaction of conquering their first summit will be invaluable and will remain in the child's memory... and the parents' memory too! ...
Publish Date: 2020-06-06
Last Updated: 2024-03-20
More in the Region Małopolskie (Małopolskie)
Total Length 1350 km
