Nature

Zegarowe Skały Rocks in the Wodąca Valley

Above the treetops of the Wodąca Valley rise the white walls of the Zegarowe Skały — one of the most distinctive groups of limestone rocks in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. The rocks lie between Smoleń and Złożeniec in the Pilica commune, in the Smoleń-Niegowonice Range, and attract climbers, cavers and lovers of old legends alike.

The cave with a clock

The name comes from the Zegar (“Clock”) cave — the largest in this group. According to local accounts, one can hear the ticking of a mysterious timepiece inside, and on Christmas Eve and St. John’s Night the ticking grows louder — supposedly the voices of the spirits of former inhabitants. Archaeologists have confirmed human presence in the rocks from the Palaeolithic to the late Middle Ages: flint tools and animal bones have been found here. Nearby lies the Jasna cave — a through cave at the foot of a crag that serves as a viewpoint; the ascent to the top is aided by steel rungs, and some sections are difficult.

A climbing classic of the Jura

Dozens of routes have been laid out on the walls, and individual rocks have their own names: Żagiel, Kursowa, Zegarowa, Mała Zegarowa, Lalka, Siekierezada and Wieloryb. The valley is crossed by the red Trail of the Eagles’ Nests leading from the castle in Smoleń, the blue trail from the Ryczów side, and the green cavers’ trail, created in 2005 on the initiative of the Centre of Culture in Wolbrom.

In practice

The site is free of charge and open around the clock, all year round. Leave your car in the free car park below the Pilcza castle in Smoleń (1.1 km) or behind the village of Podlesie. In one trip you can combine the rocks with the ruins of Pilcza castle, with further excursions to Ogrodzieniec (9.1 km) and the Błędów Desert (14.3 km).

Zegarowe Skały Rocks in the Wodąca Valley

The cave with a clock

A climbing classic of the Jura

In practice

What to see

Place map

Places to stay nearby

Sources and further reading

Nearby attractions

Wodąca Valley

Smoleń Castle

Pilica Reservoir

St. Peter’s Hill in Pilica

Market Square in Pilica

Church of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist in Pilica

Pilica Palace

Cemetery in Bydlin

Bydlin Castle

Zegarowe Skały Rocks in the Wodąca Valley

About this place

The cave with a clock

A climbing classic of the Jura

In practice

What to see

Place map

Places to stay nearby

Sources and further reading

Nearby attractions