Dziura pod Arkadą (also known as Jaskinia pod Bramą) is a small rock shelter tucked away in the Kościeliska Valley - a spot that will appeal more to cave enthusiasts and geology fans than casual hikers looking for grand vistas. It's the kind of place that rewards curiosity and a willingness to explore off the beaten path in the Western Tatras.

The entrance lies on the eastern slope of the Kraków Gorge (Wąwóz Kraków), on the steep slope below Upłazkowa Turnia. The surroundings are rugged and rocky, and the shelter itself is modest - just 5.5 meters of a narrow, descending fissure passage that ends in an impassable crack. Despite its small size, the place has a certain charm: damp walls covered with algae and delicate 'mushroom' mineral deposits create a quiet, intimate atmosphere. The same gully hosts several other cave features - Arkada, Jaskinia nad Arkadą, and Schron przy Arkadzie - making this stretch of the valley particularly interesting for those keen on speleology.

How to get there

• From Kiry or Kościelisko - follow the trail through the Kościeliska Valley to Wąwóz Kraków, then climb the slope below Upłazkowa Turnia; the route requires good orientation skills and is recommended for experienced hikers
• Best combined with a longer walk through the main Kościeliska Valley, exploring the nearby caves along the way

Practical information

• The entrance is small and easy to miss - it helps to know the exact location before setting out
• The passage is not fully traversable - it ends in an impassable crack
• The area lies within the Tatra National Park, so nature protection rules apply

The cave was likely discovered in the 1950s by cavers from Zakopane, though its first detailed survey and description weren't made until 1977, by M. Kardaś with the help of R. Kardaś and M. Kuźniak.