Ogrodzieniec Toboggan Run

A ride down a twisting chute with a view of the ruins of Ogrodzieniec, one of the best-known castles of the Polish Jura – that, in short, is the toboggan run in Podzamcze. It is part of Park Ogrodzieniec, a family amusement complex at the foot of Ogrodzieniec Castle, and a good way to give the kids some excitement after exploring the castle walls.

How it works

The toboggan run, known as River Splash, is a chute with many bends that you ride down on specially shaped carts. According to the operator, the track is profiled so that the ride stays safe even at the highest possible speed, and the route runs through the castle scenery. The description stresses that everyone can ride regardless of age – but check the detailed rules for small children, prices and opening hours on site or with the operator.

Park Ogrodzieniec: five attractions in one place

The run is one of five attractions in the complex at ul. Zamkowa 33 in Podzamcze. The others are:

• the Miniature Park – opened in 2010, with 16 castles of the Eagles' Nests Trail at a scale of 1:25, from Wawel to Olsztyn, plus a large model of the Jasna Góra monastery and full-size medieval siege engines,
• the Physics Experience Park, with dozens of devices demonstrating basic laws of physics,
• the House of Legends and Fears, based on local tales of a black dog and the White Lady,
• the Amusement Park, with medieval-themed rides for younger children.

The castle above the run

The ruins of Ogrodzieniec Castle stand on Castle Hill (515.5 m), regarded as the highest point of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. For almost a hundred years from 1387 the stone fortress of the 14th–15th centuries was held by the Włodek family of the Sulima coat of arms, and in 1530–1545 Seweryn Boner rebuilt it as a Renaissance residence. The castle has appeared on screen in the TV series "Janosik", in Andrzej Wajda's "Revenge" and in Netflix's "The Witcher".

Tripto tip

Park Ogrodzieniec is seasonal, and its hours vary by month and weather – call or email the operator (info@park-ogrodzieniec.pl) before you go. 30 minutes is enough for a few rides, but the whole complex with the Miniature Park and the castle will easily fill half a day for a family. If the weather turns, you still have the House of Legends and Fears, and the castle is best visited in the morning, before the run and car parks get busy.