Jaskinia nad Arkadą is a small but intriguing cave in the Kościeliska Valley, tucked away in the rocky Kraków Gorge. It's a great spot for hikers who like to step off the main trail and explore the hidden crevices of the Western Tatras, where damp passages and delicate mineral formations await.

The cave entrance sits at 1206 meters above sea level, on the slope descending from Upłazkowa Turnia - in the same gully as the nearby Arkada cave, Dziura pod Arkadą and Schron przy Arkadzie. Inside, a wide passage climbs upward to a junction, branching into two short dead-end corridors. The cave is notably damp, with water flowing through one of the passages, and mosses and algae visible near the entrance. This is a raw, rugged corner of the Tatras - best visited in warmer months when the approach through the gorge is safer underfoot.

How to get there

• Kiry (parking at the entrance to Kościeliska Valley) - follow the trail into the valley, then into Kraków Gorge; the approach requires decent fitness and care on rocky terrain, moderately demanding
• Alternatively, from the shelter in Kościeliska Valley, heading toward the Upłazkowa Turnia area

Practical information

• The cave interior is very wet - sturdy, waterproof footwear is recommended
• Delicate mineral coatings and calcite crusts are found inside - please avoid touching or damaging them
• The cave lies within Tatra National Park, where nature protection rules apply

Fun fact: for years it was believed that Jaskinia nad Arkadą connects to the neighboring Arkada cave, separated only by a rockfall - their shared, mysterious discovery history dates back to the 1950s.