The Ojców National Park(Polish: Ojcowski Park Narodowy) is a national park in Poland. It is in the northern part Lesser Poland, in the extreme south of the mountain range of the Krakow-Czestochowa Juras about 15 km north of Krakow. With almost 400,000 visitors a year, it is one of the Krakow's most popular recreational areas.
background
history
The park was designated as early as 1956.
landscape
The national park is 21 km². It is the smallest national park in Poland. It only takes up about 3.5% of the area of the Biebrza National Park, the largest Polish national park. At the same time, its area only makes up about 1% of the Kraków-Częstochowa Jura.
Flora and fauna
It houses mixed forests on karst soil, in which the badger, the dormouse, the ermine and the beaver still live, as well as many species of bats, insects and birds. Butterflies are particularly well represented. The symbol of the national park is the bat.
climate
The weather in the nature park is quite warm due to the low altitude and strong sunlight.
getting there
Buses go from Krakow to Ojcówwhere the administrative headquarters of the national park are located. You can also access the national park from Scale explore. Since the national park is just under half an hour's drive from Krakow, you can easily spend the night in Krakow and take a day trip to the park.
Fees / permits
There is no fee to enter the national park. Entrance to the show caves and castles, however, is subject to a fee.
mobility
You can hike and climb in the park along the five 40 km long hiking trails. The mountains can be climbed without any climbing knowledge. The rock faces, on the other hand, require good climbing skills.
Tourist Attractions
- The main attraction of the park are the more than 400 karst caves, some of which were already inhabited by the Neanderthals and are open to tourism as show caves. There are also two castles, several chapels and a visitor center. The numerous rock formations such as the club of Hercules, the glove, the needle of the Deotyma or the Krakow Gate are particularly worth seeing.
activities
The national park is ideal for hiking and climbing.
shop
At the entrances you can buy souvenirs, maps and postcards as well as small snacks.
accommodation
In Ojców you can stay in hostels.
security
Rock falls pose the greatest risk in the park. If you want to climb, you should pay attention to adequate protection.
literature
See article too Poland.
Web links
- http://www.opn.pan.krakow.pl/ - Official website of Ojców National Park
