Kocie Górki, Piekary Śląskie

Kocie Górki is a hilly, birch-covered area on the border of Piekary Śląskie and Radzionków – one of the town's most valuable natural sites, alongside Żabie Doły, Winna Góra and Księża Góra. Different habitats sit side by side in a small space, including flower-rich xerothermic grasslands that attract butterflies and other insects in summer. It makes a short, quiet nature walk in the middle of the conurbation.

A post-industrial landscape

Mining reshaped the area around Piekary and Radzionków for centuries. As early as 1815 there were 24 small calamine mines in Radzionków, later followed by a coal mine and limestone quarries. As a result, the landscape of Piekary gained humps, pits, hollows, spoil heaps, ponds and subsidence basins. At Kocie Górki this uneven ground has been taken over by birches and grasses, with worn paths running between the hummocks.

What to see

• A mosaic of habitats – from birch groves to open, sunny grassland.
• Xerothermic grasslands – warmth-loving, flower-rich plant communities at their best in high summer.
• Insects – in season you can spot burnet moths and ringlet butterflies on the flowers.

Tripto tips

A handy starting point is ul. Pod Lipami in Piekary Śląskie, on the border with Radzionków, where ul. Szybowa from Radzionków ends – local naturalists have led walks from here. There are no facilities, so wear sturdy shoes and take care on the slopes, especially after rain. Allow 1–1.5 hours for a walk; you will see the most flowers and insects in summer. Do not pick plants or leave the paths on the grassland.