Eagle’s Nests Trail

The trail itself is not technically difficult and is a good way to test yourself on long-distance trails. Although it cannot be said that it is easy – there are no available water sources (except in villages and towns), and a large part of the trail is on asphalt, which is, to put it mildly, not something you would want on trails. The route leads from Krakow to Czestochowa or vice versa. Both options are equally easy to organize. If you are not from Poland, you can choose from 2 airports – Katowice or Krakow. There are many transport connections between these cities.

If you are arriving here for the first time, it will be interesting for you to have an opportunity to do a bit of sightseeing around the castles, caves, and fortresses. If this is something you’d like to prioritize, then it is recommended to reserve at least 7 days to finish the trail.

At the beginning of the trail, as you are leaving the outskirts of Kraków, there is some construction of the city bypass (as of 2024) so a little reroute is needed. The first stage goes from the city of Kraków to the village of Sułoszowa (striped village). This part of the trail can be difficult for endurance, as it is mainly on asphalt, which, together with the distance of 36 kilometers, can be rough on the feet. But also it is very beautiful and unique as it leads through the only national park on the entire trail – Ojców National Park. There are few shops on the way so it is not necessary to stock up, but there are no water sources, so you can only buy water in stores or restaurants. On this day you will see the first 2 castles, which require an entry fee. This part is also the most “touristy” on the entire trail and runs through the most popular places in Jura.

On stage two, you will reach the third castle on the route – Rabsztyn, which was renovated a few years ago. The route on this day leads mainly through forests, countryside, and on dirt paths. There are a few stores on the way in Rabsztyn and in Bydlin.

Stage three is one of the most interesting, as you will get to the largest of the eagle nests – Ogrodzieniec Castle. Also, you will see Góra Zborów, which is a beautiful site and there is a possibility to wild camp here if you desire. The views from the area are very beautiful and there are a couple of rock formations used by climbers. The highlight of this stage is Okiennik Wielki, a beautiful rock formation with a window inside that you can climb and explore. Note that it is not visible from the trail but it is just 50m from the path, so it’s worth taking a small reroute and a break.

You’ll find that the fourth stage is also very interesting as you will see two twin castles built in a beautiful Jurassic landscape – Bobolice and Mirów. Both castles were renovated and there is an admission fee. Around the area, there are a couple of shops, restaurants, a hotel, and food trucks where you can try Polish fast food like“zapiekanki.” In the evening, you will get to Złoty Potok, a little town that is famous for trout breeding, so if you want there is a chance to try traditional fish dishes.

The final day is as difficult as the first day because it ends in the city, which means – a lot of asphalt surface. But before you get there, on your way there is a highlight, Olsztyn Castle, which is the second biggest after Ogrodzieniec, but less crowded.

The best time to walk the trail would be early summer, autumn, or spring. The peak of the season might be crowded and because the trail is along asphalt roads, it might not be very pleasant to walk along if there is traffic and the attractions are crowded.

The trail is suitable for everyone. Use regular common sense and there is no need for any equipment either. There are no dangerous places on the trail.

However, it is worth remembering a huge part of the trail is led on asphalt, so it is a good idea to wear comfortable shoes with good cushioning. Also note that the infrastructure of the roads was renovated but the trail was not rerouted, so there are some places where you need to walk along a main road with traffic without a sidewalk or roadside. During the high season, the main attractions sites are crowded and the roads are as well, so you need to be very careful when crossing the streets.

If you going in the winter, take spikes and waterproof shoes as there might be a lot of snow.  It is worth installing the RATUNEK application. In the event of an accident, just press the button on your phone’s display three times and the emergency services will be informed about the need to carry out a rescue operation. The application transmits your current location to the services using GPS and the battery level in your phone. The app is free of charge, the same as all rescue operations in the Polish mountains.

Emergency numbers:

• 999 – Emergency medical services. The call is answered directly by a medical distributor.
• 112 – This emergency number is valid throughout the European Union. After the call, the operator notifies the appropriate services: ambulance, fire brigade, police, water rescue services, etc.
• +48 601 100 300 GOPR – Mountain Volunteer Emergency Medical Services, emergency services in the Beskid.