Difficulty: ModerateWestern Tatras
Jaskinia Mylna
Start: Polana Pisana (Kościeliska Valley) · via Pawlikowski Window and Labyrinth of corridors
- 0:57 h
- Time
- 1 km
- Distance
- +123 m
- Ascent
Difficulty: ModerateWestern Tatraswestern tatrascavechainsexposure
Wąwóz Kraków and Smocza Jama
1100 m a.s.l. · trail yellow · start: Hala Pisana (Kościeliska Valley)
Trail openBulletin as of 17 października 2026
Official TPN bulletinNo reported closures or obstacles on this trail according to the official TPN bulletin (17 października 2026).
PolecanyHala Pisana – Smocza Jama
- Wysokość
- 1100 m a.s.l.
- Dystans
- 1.4 km
- Czas przejścia
- 30 min
- Suma podejść
- 96 m
- Start
- Hala Pisana
- Meta
- Hala Pisana
Czas i dystans dla całej wycieczki, z powrotem do startu.
Tempo
30 minSzacunek od czasu z opisu, bez kolejek i postojów.
- medium (ladder + chains)
- yellow
- Western Tatras
- Dla rodzin: Nie
- Z psem: Nie
- Ślad GPX (.gpx)
Warianty wejścia
Polecany jest na tej stronie. Inny start ma osobną kartę — własny opis i mapę.
| Wariant | Start | Czas przejścia | Łańcuchy | Kolor szlaku |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hala Pisana – Smocza JamaPolecany The gorge floor to Rynek, the ladder, the tunnel, down through the forest. There are chains. The figures at the top of the page count this loop. | Hala Pisana | 30 min | TakLadder and chains from Rynek. One-way uphill. |
|
Rynek only The flat gorge floor and back. No ladder, no cave. Still no dog. | Hala Pisana | 30 min | Nie |
|
From Kiry The valley plus the gorge. Separate page for the floor: Kościeliska Valley. Zobacz ten szlak → | Kiry | 4 h | TakChains only on Smocza Jama. The valley without. |
|
Polecany
Hala Pisana – Smocza Jama
The gorge floor to Rynek, the ladder, the tunnel, down through the forest. There are chains. The figures at the top of the page count this loop.
Mapa i profil trasy
Hala Pisana – Smocza Jama
Profil wysokościowy trasy
Wykres podejść wygenerowany ze śladu GPX. Przesuń kursor lub palec po wykresie, aby sprawdzić profil podejścia i punkty kulminacyjne.
GPX · 1.33 km
Punkt kulminacyjny
1115m n.p.m.
przy 0.62 km
Najniższy punkt
1016m n.p.m.
Podejścia (suma)
+96m
Zejścia (suma)
-97m
Dystans profilu
1.33km
Ślad GPX do nawigacji
Wgraj trasę do zegarka sportowego (Garmin, Coros, Suunto, Apple Watch) lub aplikacji nawigacyjnej (Mapy.cz, Komoot, Locus Map, Strava) i nawiguj po szlaku w trybie offline bez zasięgu.
Kompatybilność:GarminCorosSuuntoApple WatchMapy.czKomootStrava
Jak wgrać plik GPX?
- Kliknij przycisk „Pobierz ślad GPX”, aby zapisać plik .gpx na telefonie lub komputerze.
- Otwórz plik w aplikacji Garmin Connect, Coros, Suunto, Mapy.cz, Komoot lub wyślij na zegarek GPS.
- Zapisz trasę w trybie offline, aby w Tatrach nawigować pewnie i bez obaw o brak zasięgu sieci komórkowej.
Wąwóz Kraków is an extraordinary, karst side branch of the Kościeliska Valley. It is a dark, cool and wild place. Vertical limestone walls close in so tightly here that in places they almost obscure the sky. The name of the gorge comes from the streets of Kraków, which it allegedly reminded the first explorers of.
💡 In a nutshell – Wąwóz Kraków:
- Access: The turn-off onto the yellow trail is at Hala Pisana in the Kościeliska Valley. Walking the loop itself takes approx. 30 minutes.
- Two stages: You can easily reach the square called “Rynek” along the gorge floor. Above Rynek the difficulties begin.
- Ladder and cave: From Rynek you climb a vertical ladder to Smocza Jama (a dark cave piercing the rock). This section is one-way (uphill only!).
- Equipment: Be sure to bring a headlamp for the cave (a phone in your hand is a bad idea when you need to hold onto a chain).
This is a great, short adventure with a bit of adrenaline (a ladder and chains!), ideal as a diversion during a walk through the Kościeliska Valley.
Trail description: Loop from Hala Pisana
The figures at the top of the page show the time and distance for the gorge loop itself, starting and finishing at Hala Pisana (in the Kościeliska Valley). To get here, you first have to walk from Kiry (about 1 h).
Stage 1: Along the gorge floor to “Rynek”
From Hala Pisana we turn onto the yellow trail.
- We enter the narrow, shaded throat of the gorge. The floor is flat, but strewn with stones.
- After about 15 minutes we reach a widening called Rynek (The Market Square). We are surrounded by vertical walls on three sides. Warning: This is where the easy walk ends. People with a fear of heights or small children should turn back here!
Stage 2: The ladder and Smocza Jama
From Rynek the trail becomes one-way (uphill only!).
- Ahead of us is a short, vertical, steel ladder. After rain its rungs can be very slippery.
- After climbing the ladder we enter Smocza Jama (Dragon’s Den) – a short, dark cave piercing right through the rock. Inside it is wet, muddy and completely dark (a torch/headlamp is essential!). The passage is secured with a chain.
- Alternative variant: The cave can be bypassed by traversing the exposed outside of the rock (also secured with a chain).
Stage 3: Descent
After exiting Smocza Jama, the yellow trail leads steeply down through the forest, over roots and stones, bringing us back to Hala Pisana.
Logistics and warnings
- One-way: The section with the ladder and the cave is strictly one-way. Do not try to climb down the ladder when others are coming up!
- Equipment: A torch is essential to pass through Smocza Jama (preferably a headlamp, to have your hands free to hold the chain). A phone torch is a bad idea.
- After rain: The limestone rocks in the gorge become as slippery as an ice rink after rainfall. In such conditions, the ladder and chains can be dangerous.
Who is this absolutely NOT for?
Do not drive a pushchair in here (leave it at Hala Pisana). Do not bring a dog here (TPN ban). If you suffer from claustrophobia or a fear of heights, you will only get as far as Rynek – then you must turn back. Do not go this way in flip-flops or sandals. If you are only interested in a flat walk, stay on the main trail in the Kościeliska Valley.
Getting there, parking & buses
Trailhead logistics – reach the start smoothly without parking hassle.
Trailhead:Hala Pisana (Kościeliska Valley)
Parking & car access
Paid on site (private & municipal car parks)
Kiry car parks (at Kościeliska Valley entrance)
Parking fee: 30–40 PLN / day
Numerous parking lots line the road in Kiry. On sunny weekend mornings they fill up after 8:30 AM. Some accept cards, but cash is recommended.
Bus & transit access
Buses from Main Station towards Kościelisko & Kiry
Route & bus stop: Zakopane Main Station ➔ Aleje 3 Maja ➔ Kościelisko ➔ Kiry (bus stop right by TPN gate)
Fare: ~8–10 PLN one-way
Buses marked „Kiry / Dolina Kościeliska” depart every 10–15 minutes.
Local buses and transit help bypass morning traffic and parking hassles.
Transport guide in the Tips section
Complete guide to Tatra car parks, buses, and TPN reservations.
Tool
🎒 What to pack? Interactive checklist
Check off items as you pack, switch between summer/winter and clear the list before your next trip. Progress is saved automatically.
What you will see
- Vertical walls of the gorge
- Steel ladder
- Passage through Smocza Jama
- Rynek
Questions
Can the loop be done in both directions?
No. The ladder and Smocza Jama only uphill. Descend through the forest to Hala Pisana. Do not go down the ladder against the flow.
Is the 30 min from Kiry?
No. 30 min and 1.4 km are from Hala Pisana. From Kiry the valley plus the gorge is about 4 h. The valley floor has its own page.
Do I have to do the ladder?
No. Anyone can reach Rynek. The chains and the cave are higher. Fear of heights, claustrophobia, small children — turn around at Rynek.
Can I bring a dog or a pushchair?
No. TPN. The pushchair stays at Hala Pisana; even to Rynek there are stones and roots.
Wąwóz Kraków and Smocza Jama: are there chains on the route?
Yes. Ladder and chains from Rynek. One-way uphill.
Wąwóz Kraków and Smocza Jama: how long does it take?
Start: Hala Pisana (Kościeliska Valley), finish in the same place. The whole route is 1.4 km and takes 30 min of walking without breaks, with about 96 m of ascent. Add time for rests and photos.
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Next trail in this area
Planning your next hike? From the same starting point and area, we recommend:
#western tatras#cave#chains
Jaskinia Raptawicka
Raptawicka Cave in the Kościeliska Valley: chains, a 4 m ladder and a big daylight chamber. 30 min loop from Polana Pisana, about 2 h 30 min from Kiry.
⏱️ 30 min📏 0.5 km🎯 medium (ladder + chains)
View trailSimilar trails
- Difficulty: HardWestern Tatras (Západné Tatry)
Banówka (Baníkov)
Start: Mouth of the Žiarska Valley (car park) · via Highest point of the Western Tatras main ridge and Plačlivý Roháč
- 9:50 h
- Time
- 20.6 km
- Distance
- +1745 m
- Ascent
Difficulty: ModerateWestern TatrasGiewont
Start: Kuźnice · via The cross on Giewont and The mountain hut at Hala Kondratowa
- 5:57 h
- Time
- 11.8 km
- Distance
- +912 m
- Ascent
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Plan your trip
Where to stay - KościeliskoThe closest base for this trail. Check availability and prices in Kościelisko.Find a place to stay →Tickets and activitiesCable cars, thermal baths, transfers and guided trips nearby.Browse offers →
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Before you head to the mountains
- Check the weather forecast, mountain weather changes dynamically
- Match the trail to your abilities, don't overestimate your strength
- Take appropriate equipment: comfortable hiking boots, rain jacket, warm clothing, map, charged phone, first aid kit, power bank, food and water
- Inform someone about your plans, provide the route and expected return time
- Save the emergency number GOPR/TOPR, 601 100 300 or 985
- Buy a ticket to the Tatra National Park