Pazurek Nature Reserve in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland

On the Ojców Plateau, between the villages of Podlesie and Pazurek, a fragment of the ancient Olkusz forests has been preserved. The „Pazurek” reserve protects beech woods full of wild garlic and hepatica, and at the same time one of the more interesting concentrations of Jurassic rock outcrops — near Rabsztyn and Olkusz, on hills reaching 449 m above sea level.

Spring carpets and orchids

In April and May the forest floor turns into a violet carpet of hepatica, and wild garlic scents the whole clearing. Orchids, among the rarest plants of the Jura, also grow in the shade of the beeches. Boards along the trails explain which rocks and plants to look out for along the way.

Zubowe Skały and Cisowa Skała

The largest concentration of limestone formations is Zubowe Skały, whose walls form shelters, crevices and gullies. The most surprising is Cisowa Skała: from the trail it looks like an inconspicuous rock, but at its base a rocky ravine opens up with vertical caves. Right next to it rises Januszkowa Góra (449 m) with the Januszkowa Szczelina cave, 56 m deep — the second deepest on the Jura, accessible only to cavers with proper equipment.

Practical information

Entry is free and the car park, on the other side of road 783, is free as well. You can also reach the reserve from Jaroszowiec, next to the historic railway station.