Green Pond in Klucze

At the northern foot of Rudnica hill in Klucze lie two small ponds: Staw Zielony (Green Pond) and Staw Czerwony (Red Pond). The Małopolska regional tourism portal lists them among the most charming spots in the Klucze municipality. Greenish water among pines, a few hundred metres from the sands of the Błędów Desert, makes a good stop on a walk around Czubatka.

Where the ponds came from

Both ponds formed in old pits left by iron-ore mining, which filled with water once work stopped. Today the overgrown banks and trees make their industrial origin hard to believe. The neighbouring Błędów Desert is the largest area of drifting sand in Poland – about 33 km² – and was created largely by people: from the Middle Ages the forests here were cut down for the silver and lead mines of Olkusz.

The legend of two knights

According to local tradition, two feuding knights, Zbyszek and Miron, once had castles here. Their quarrels angered the heavens so much that lightning destroyed both strongholds, leaving two craters filled with water. It is only a legend – but it explains why the ponds come in a pair and differ so much in colour.

How to get there

• From Czubatka: the yellow trail leads from the Czubatka viewpoint towards the open sands; at one point water appears between the trees – just step a few metres off the trail.
• From the village: the ponds can also be reached from ul. Rudnicka and ul. Sosnowa, first the Red Pond, then the Green Pond.

Tripto tips

• Time needed: 15–30 minutes at the ponds; best treated as part of a longer loop with Czubatka and the Błędów Desert.
• Caution: the small Rudnicka Cave nearby has a cracked ceiling – do not go inside.
• The desert: the northern part of the Błędów Desert is still used as a military training ground – stay on marked routes and follow the signs.
• When: the ponds look best on a sunny day, when the water shows its colour most clearly.