Kobylańska Valley: limestone cliffs, climbers and a rock chapel near Kraków

Po polsku: Dolina Kobylańska

Where can you stroll beside a stream while climbers hang on limestone walls above your head? Kobylańska Valley (Dolina Kobylańska) lies in the heart of the Kraków Valleys landscape park (Dolinki Krakowskie), the green area of rocky valleys around Kraków. Together with the Bolechowice Gate (Brama Bolechowicka), it is the most spectacular valley here and a paradise for climbers. Everyone else can walk, rest and enjoy the Kobylanka stream.

The valley is also called Karniowska Valley (Dolina Karniowska). It runs between two villages: Kobylany and Karniowice. I think Kobylany is the best place to start your walk.

The valley and its rocks

The valley is about 4 kilometres long. Its mouth is closed by a rock gate. Behind it winds a treeless, rocky gorge called Nagaje.

Both sides of the gorge are made of limestone cliffs. They are very steep, and most of them are open to climbers. They form jagged ridges, single blocks and rock walls.

On the western side, in the lower part of the gorge, you will find rocks with names such as Sikornik Turnia Marcinkiewicza, Szara Płyta, Turnia z Krokiem, Zjazdowa Turnia, Turnia Długosza, Bodzio, Cycówka and Czarna Ścianka. („Turnia” means a rock tower or crag.) On the eastern side you can see Mnich (the Monk), Żabi Koń (the Frog Horse), Dzwon (the Bell), Dwoista, Okręt (the Ship), Płetwa (the Fin) and Krucha Turnia. Inside Zjazdowa Turnia there is a cave that climbers call Garaż (the Garage).

The best-known rock in the valley is Żabi Koń, topped with a cross. In the lower part of the valley there is a flat, grassy area where visitors like to rest.

The upper part of the valley is covered by mixed forest, with more tall limestone rocks among the trees. The stream starts at the Kobylańskie Spring (Kobylańskie Źródło), which is protected as a natural monument (pomnik przyrody).

The chapel in the rock

On the eastern slope of the gorge, steps have been cut into the rock. They lead up to a small chapel of Our Lady (kapliczka Matki Boskiej) set in a rock grotto.

A plaque on the left side says, in my translation: „The memorable year of the apparition of Our Lady, 1914. Here is my will, the faithful affirm.” From the chapel there is a lovely view over the valley.

Nature

The limestone rocks are home to rich communities of dry, sun-loving grassland plants (murawy kserotermiczne) and plants that grow on rock faces. On the scree grows a rare fern, zachyłek Roberta (limestone oak fern). In the flatter, wider places you will see pasture plants and bushy thickets. Along the streams there are tall herbs and beds of mannagrass.

Spring is a lovely time here. Before the trees come into leaf, the valley fills with flowers, including golden saxifrage (śledziennica skrętolistna), wood and yellow anemones (zawilec gajowy i żółty), corydalis (kokorycz pełna), violets and primroses.

The forests are varied too: oak-hornbeam woods (lasy grądowe), young birch stands and pine-oak forests.

Climbing

Kobylańska Valley is a mecca for rock climbers. Most of the walls have fixed protection points. There are well over 100 climbing routes in the valley. In nice weather you can meet dozens of climbers here.

If you do not climb, it is fun to watch from the path. My tip: keep to the paths and take care below the walls.

Trails

Two marked trails start in Kobylany:

• Yellow hiking trail: from Kobylany through Kobylańska Valley, Będkowice, Będkowska Valley, Szklarki and Racławki to Paczółtowice.
• Blue cycling trail: from Kobylany through Kobylańska Valley and Krzemionki, then through Bolechowicka Valley to Bolechowice.

More guides: Kraków & Małopolska in English.

Łukasz, Niezwykła Małopolska