On the summit of Łysa Góra lies a field of scree made up of quartzite sandstone around 500 million years old, formed during a glaciation. This combination of landscape and geological history offers a distinctive introduction to Holy Cross. In the region, hiking trails, archaeological remains and a wide variety of places to visit lead to further discoveries.
Nature and Trails in Holy Cross
Świętokrzyski National Park protects the highest mountain range in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains and its surroundings. Visits to the park are permitted only on marked hiking trails or at places approved for educational activities. Check the park's guidance before your trip. To plan hikes, you can browse trails on the regional “Świętokrzyskie szlaki turystyczne” platform and plan outings using its extensive map features. Route data and features may continue to evolve, so check the platform before planning.
One specific route runs from Kielce to Chęciny: Jaskinia Raj lies along the 20-kilometre red hiking trail. It begins at Karczówka Mountain in Kielce and ends at the market square in Chęciny. Mineral formations in shades of white, beige, brown and rusty reddish-brown shape the cave's passages and chambers. They cover the ceiling, floor and walls, as well as detached blocks of rock.
The nature of the ground is also worth a closer look on Łysa Góra. The scree field on its summit formed during a glaciation from quartzite sandstone dating back around 500 million years. In Holy Cross, visible rock formations and prehistoric traces exist side by side, though they do not tell the same story.
Traces of Prehistory and History
The prehistoric flint mines of Krzemionki were in use during the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, from around 3900 to 1600 BC. The region of prehistoric striped flint mining at Krzemionki was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019. Together, these dates place the discovery in context: they point both to a long period of prehistoric use and to its later World Heritage designation.
In Chęciny, the Royal Castle was built at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries on a hill 360 metres high. As a hilltop castle, it offers a different architectural perspective from the Ethnographic Park in Tokarnia. There, the exhibition presents rural and small-town buildings in natural settlement groupings, including sections of villages, a mill, a windmill and a smithy. The exhibition concept encompasses not only individual buildings but also how they are arranged in the groups.
The Underground Tourist Route in Sandomierz offers a different kind of tour, with a multimedia exhibition about legendary figures from the city. Check whether the exhibition is available before visiting.
Outings with Different Themes
If you prefer travelling on two wheels, the Czerwona Pętla Rowerowa is a 60-kilometre circular route with a stated duration of six hours. Among other places, it passes through Chęciny Rynek and Podzamcze Chęcińskie, as well as other locations in Chęcińsko-Kielecki Landscape Park. By comparison, the red hiking trail between Kielce and Chęciny is shorter at 20 kilometres; these descriptions refer to two different routes and ways of travelling.
At the Bałtów Complex, the dinosaur park is overseen by paleontological scientists. New discoveries may lead to changes to the dinosaur figures or their display locations. The exhibits therefore remain subject to new findings, rather than promising an unchanging arrangement. The Bałtów Complex is also on the Świętokrzyski Archeo-Geological Trail.
Seasonal raft trips are offered on the Kamienna River in Bałtów. For a different kind of wildlife viewing, the bison safari in Kurozwęki takes visitors into the enclosure in a western wagon, while qualified guides explain the herd's history and the bison's habits. The safari is currently offered daily; check the latest operating details before your visit.
The Leonardo da Vinci Science Center teaches visitors about the human body through interactive exhibits inside the building and in the garden. From hiking and cycling to river trips, wildlife viewing and interactive learning, the outings offer a range of experiences. You can explore Holy Cross according to whichever subject interests you most.
Discover more destinations: Buski, Staszów, Włoszczowa, Kielce, Opatów, Ostrowiec, Starachowice, Końskie, Jędrzejów, Kazimierza, Pińczów, Skarżysko, Sandomierz County
For the broader travel overview: Poland.
