Pośna Waterfalls

In the past the Pośna Waterfalls were thought to be among the most romantic spots in the Table Mountains, and wooden weirs were built on the stream to make the water fall more dramatically. Today they are a series of small cascades in a rocky ravine below the Skalne Wrota (Rock Gate), about 1.2 km north-east of Szczeliniec Wielki. Come after rain – in dry spells the stream almost disappears.

How the cascades formed

The waterfalls lie at about 550 m, on the edge of the middle tier of the Table Mountains plateau, on the Pośna stream flowing down towards Radków. The gradient here is so steep that the water drops over a series of vertical rock steps. The steps themselves were created by Alpine mountain-building movements, while Quaternary glaciations and long erosion shaped the cascades as they look today. The waterfalls sit in a strict protection zone of Table Mountains National Park covering 3.89 ha, which protects fertile Sudeten beech forest with fine beeches, wych elms, sycamores and firs.

Why the waterfalls run dry

A drinking-water intake for Radków was built above the cascades. Since then the stream carries little water for much of the year, and the full cascades are mainly seen after heavy rain or during snowmelt. This matters when planning: in a dry August you'll see a rocky ravine rather than a waterfall.

What to look for

• A boulder with a German inscription near the cascades – a reminder of the days when the valley was a popular destination for German hikers.
• An old stone signpost by the road from Radków to Karłów, with a German inscription pointing the way to the waterfalls.
• Skalne Wrota – the cluster of rocks above the ravine where the series of steps begins.
• Veteran beeches and firs in the strict reserve around the stream.

Getting there

The yellow trail from Radków via Pasterka to Szczeliniec Wielki passes the waterfalls, as does the Rock Sculpture educational path from Karłów to the Radków reservoir. The easiest start is at the reservoir in Radków, walking up the valley, or you can combine the waterfalls with Pasterka and Szczeliniec in a longer loop. Allow 15–30 minutes at the falls themselves.

Tripto tip

Come a few days after heavy rain or in spring during the thaw – that's when the cascades really roar. The path along the stream is stony and can be slippery, so wear shoes with good grip. Before setting out, check the park's trail notice at pngs.gov.pl: in autumn 2025, among others, the green trail from Rozdroże pod Basztami to Skalne Wrota was closed, and the list of closures is updated regularly. Leaving marked trails is not allowed in the park, and dogs are allowed only in areas designated by the park management (not on the Szczeliniec Wielki and Błędne Skały routes).