Dudzia Dziura is a small cave tucked away in the Kraków Gorge, one of the most scenic corners of the Kościeliska Valley. It's a spot for those who like to step off the main trail and look for something more than just views - here you'll find a piece of genuine Tatra wilderness and a touch of speleological mystery.

The cave entrance lies on the slope of Żar, below Wielka Turnia, at an altitude of 1201 m above sea level. The cave itself is modest in size - just 23 metres long with a 6-metre vertical drop - but its interior is intriguing: it begins with a spacious alcove, followed by a narrow, short passage beyond a small step, and perpendicular to it a pipe-like passage rises upward, ending in a sediment fill. Ferns, mosses and algae grow around the entrance, while inside you can spot small, modest mineral formations. The Kraków Gorge itself is impressive on its own - steep, rocky walls and tree shade create a unique microclimate, especially picturesque in autumn and spring when moisture brings out the green of the mosses.

How to get there

• Kiry (parking area at the entrance to the Kościeliska Valley) - yellow trail through the valley, then a side path into the Kraków Gorge, approx. 1.5-2 hours, moderately demanding route
• Alternatively, from the Kościeliska Valley you can reach it via the Kraków Gorge, watching carefully for the rocks below Wielka Turnia

Practical information

• The cave is small and requires caution when entering the narrow passage
• The area lies within the Tatra National Park - nature protection rules apply

The date 1937 carved at the cave entrance shows that locals knew of it long before it appeared in speleological literature in 1966, thanks to Z. Wójcik.