At Jaskinia Berkowa, more than three quarters of its 54 metres must be covered by crawling. Together with Jaskinia Żabia, which can only be accessed using alpine equipment, it shows how different the access requirements are for the caves in Podlesice. Jaskinia Głęboka is open to tourist visits and is managed by the Jura Natural and Cultural Heritage Centre. The caves therefore differ not only in their dimensions, but above all in how they can be accessed.
Caves and their access requirements
Jaskinia Głęboka lies in the Krucze Skały massif, near the car park of the Jura Natural and Cultural Heritage Centre in Podlesice, on road DW 792. If you are planning a visit, it is advisable to check the operating arrangements before you travel.
Jaskinia Żabia is in the Podlesice area, on Góra Sulmów. It is 59 metres long and 18.5 metres deep; access is only possible with alpine equipment. Jaskinia Berkowa is in the Podlesice area, on Góra Kołoczek. Its narrow passages make it difficult to traverse, and more than three quarters of its 54 metres must be covered by crawling. For Żabia, its dimensions and the equipment required are key; for Berkowa, the long crawling sections are an additional factor.
Nature research and the history of Krucze Skały
The building of the Jura Natural and Cultural Heritage Centre in Podlesice presents, among other things, the findings of entomological, palaeontological and archaeological research from the region. The three fields have different areas of focus: entomology studies insects, palaeontology studies past life forms, and archaeology studies the human past.
The area around Krucze Skały near Jaskinia Głęboka tells a different story. From the early 1950s, crystalline calcite was mined there; known as spar, it was extracted for the glass industry. So, in addition to caves and nature research, the former use of the rocks is another theme associated with Podlesice.
Rock formations and trails in the area
The Skały Podlesickie lie west of Podlesice. The surrounding area is characterised by forests with numerous ravines and valleys, where larger and smaller rock formations can be found, often hidden in the undergrowth. The rocks therefore do not form one continuous open area, but rather a landscape of forest, varied terrain and scattered rock formations.
A green trail passes south of Góra Sulmów and heads west towards Skały Rzędkowickie, through Skały Podlesickie west of Podlesice. A red trail from the Kroczyce–Żarki road, via Góra Sowią and Apteka, makes it easier to find your way among these rock formations. While the description of the green trail gives its route and direction, the red trail is described in terms of specific landmarks. Check the conditions on the red trail locally before setting out.
At the summit of Góra Sulmów in Skały Podlesickie, west of Podlesice, is the rock formation Biblioteka. It is well known among climbers and frequently visited. Climbing schools are based in Podlesice; which individual schools are represented there may change over time. When exploring the rock formations, you can distinguish between the landscape, trail navigation and climbing, without conflating the different places or activities.
For the wider travel overview: Piaseczno.
