Spękana Szczelina is a small cave tucked into the Kościeliska Valley, one of those quiet Tatra curiosities worth a detour if you love poking around rocky crevices while hiking. It's not a headline attraction, but for cave enthusiasts and curious hikers it's a nice little discovery along the way.

The entrance sits at 1230 m above sea level, on the slope below Upłazkowa Turnia, right next to the Jaskinia przy Perci cave, within the dramatic Kraków Gorge (Wąwóz Kraków). The cave itself is a steeply rising fissure corridor that starts at a modest entrance opening and ends in a rockfall. Halfway up, you'll need to climb a small 1.2-metre step. Inside, the walls are damp, with no dripstone formations, though lichens grow near the entrance. At just 11.5 metres long with a 5-metre vertical range, it's a brief but atmospheric stop set against the wild, rocky scenery of the gorge, especially striking in the cooler months when the valley feels hushed and remote.

• Kiry or Kościelisko – trail through the Kościeliska Valley to Kraków Gorge, approx. 2-3 hours, moderate difficulty
• Reaching the cave itself requires leaving the main trail onto the slope beneath Upłazkowa Turnia – sturdy footwear and caution recommended

• The entrance is small and easy to miss – look for it near Jaskinia przy Perci
• The interior is damp and can be slippery – bring a flashlight and take care
• The cave lies within the Tatra National Park, so nature protection rules apply

Interesting fact: the exact discovery date and discoverers remain unknown, and it was likely known locally for a long time before its first survey and description were made in 1994.