What the Errant Rocks are
The Errant Rocks are part of the sandstone plateau of the Table Mountains, which over millions of years of erosion broke up into hundreds of giant boulders separated by deep (5–11 m) and narrow (sometimes under 0.5 m) clefts. The whole area covers about 21 hectares. Geologically it formed just as Szczeliniec did — a Cretaceous sea, uplift, and erosion by water and frost.
The name "Errant" comes from a legend — in the 18th century local people said that "devils got tangled up" in this labyrinth and that was why people wandered astray here too. In fact, without a marked path it is easy to lose your bearings; the corridors twist and the dead ends overlap. That is why the whole area is now a one-way route with barriers.
The visitor path
The route is about 1 km long and runs one way (the direction is set so as not to create jams in the narrow places). Walking time: 40–60 min. The narrowest points are about 0.4 m and must be taken sideways; the deepest is about 11 m to the floor of the cleft. There are steps, wooden footbridges and steel handrails in places.
Starting point: the nearby car park (reached by a surfaced road from Kudowa or Karłów), a national park ticket of about 10 zł plus a separate ticket for the Errant Rocks route itself of about 10 zł. In season there are queues to get in (one-way access makes a bottleneck), and at weekends in July and August the wait can be 1–2 hours.
What you will see
- The Sock — a narrow corridor in the shape of an elongated cleft
- The Tunnel — a passage beneath a rock bridge
- The S Rock — a well-known formation suggesting the letter S
- The Great Spider's Web — the tangled paths in the middle of the labyrinth
- Viewpoints from the upper edges — a panorama over the Czech side and the Orlickie Mountains
- Abundant plant life — lichens, mosses and ferns on the rock walls (shaded and damp for most of the day)
Worth knowing
- Claustrophobia — some places are narrow and dark and may be a challenge for anyone claustrophobic
- Rucksacks — large rucksacks must be carried in front or in the hand (they will not fit through the narrowest clefts)
- Warm clothes — it is always cool in the corridors (5–10°C colder than outside)
- Footwear — sturdy; the stone paths are slippery in places
- A camera — on a tripod (it is dark); light comes in over the upper edges and creates dramatic contrasts
- Not for anyone seriously overweight — some of the clefts really are narrow
How to get there and practical info
- Admission
- National park ticket about 10 zł plus route ticket about 10 zł
- Duration
- 40–60 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate (narrow clefts and steps)
- Crowds
- Queues of 1–2 hours at weekends in July and August
- Best time
- Early morning or out of season
- From Kudowa-Zdrój
- About 15 min by car
When to go
May — fresh moss on the walls, few people, the ideal time.
Crowds. Go early in the morning (before 9:00) or after 17:00.
September is the best. October is wet and the paths slippery.
The route is closed in winter (for safety) — check the opening hours in December and March.
Other sights in Kotlina Kłodzka
Straight-line distances from „The Errant Rocks" — calculated from real coordinates. By road it is often further.
Where to stay nearby
Places from our list that have The Errant Rocks within walking distance or a short drive.
