Limestone outcrops and climbing in the Polish Jura

The Kraków-Częstochowa Upland – the "Polish Jura" – is a belt of limestone outcrops about 80 km long between Kraków and Częstochowa, and the Kroczyce municipality sits in its most rewarding part for climbers. On the Skały Kroczyckie ridge, with Góra Zborów and Kołoczek, stand dozens of rock towers with names like the Camel, the Nun or Buddha's Bellies. The municipality itself calls them "a mecca for climbers, especially beginners".

Where the outcrops come from

The upland was repeatedly the floor of a sea, and its bedrock is mainly Upper Jurassic limestone. The rocks rising tens of metres above the surface are the product of karst processes in the subtropical climate of the Tertiary – softer layers were dissolved and washed away, harder ones survived. The same processes hollowed out caves and rock shelters. The name Kraków-Częstochowa Upland was introduced in 1947 by Stanisław Pietkiewicz; most people just say "Jura".

Skały Kroczyckie and Góra Zborów

The Skały Kroczyckie ridge is about 4 km long, running from the Dzibice reservoir to the road between Żarki and Kroczyce. Its high point is Góra Zborów – 462 m above sea level according to the municipality – the highest hill of the former Częstochowa province and a superb viewpoint. Legend says witches gathered here before flying to their sabbath on Łysa Góra. Since 1957 it has been protected by a 45-ha nature reserve that also covers neighbouring Kołoczek with the Wielki Dziad tower. From the top you can see the castles of Morsko, Bobolice, Mirów and Ogrodzieniec.

At the foot of Dwoista Baszta lies Jaskinia Głęboka, the only show cave in the northern Jura. On Słupsko hill there are two archaeological sites: an early medieval hillfort and a Middle Palaeolithic camp.

Climbing

The rocks of Góra Zborów reach up to 30 m, their faces covered with a dense web of routes; climbers have named towers such as Biała Baszta, Sfinks, Młynarze and Kruk. Across the Jura, grades run from II to VI.8 on the Polish scale. Reserve rules apply: you may not stand on or walk across the summits, as dry grassland is being restored there. A few kilometres away in Piaseczno is Okiennik Wielki with about 110 routes.

Tripto tip

The Trail of the Eagles' Nests and the Trail of Jura Strongholds cross the ridge, along with cycling and cross-country ski routes. Allow 2–3 hours for a walk over Góra Zborów and Kołoczek. If you want to climb without experience, book an instructor – going up a rock without protection is asking for trouble.