The Holy Cross Mountains (Góry Świętokrzyskie) are easiest to explore by car over a weekend: Święty Krzyż with its gołoborze rock field and Łysica on day one, then Kielce, Raj Cave, Chęciny Castle and the Tokarnia open-air museum on day two. The loop from Warsaw is about 451 km, and from Radom about 254 km. Below you will find the route with distances, hiking times to the summits, ticket prices and what closes in winter. You can set off in a rental car from Warsaw or pick up a car from our car rental in Radom, which is closer to the mountains.
The Holy Cross Mountains route at a glance
Distances and times assume no traffic and no stops. From Warsaw, the S7 expressway takes you to the Holy Cross Mountains, with a 120 km/h limit. Other limits are covered in our guide to speed limits in Poland.
| Day | Leg | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Warszawa → Nowa Słupia | 180 km | approx. 2 h 18 min |
| Day 1 | Nowa Słupia → Święta Katarzyna | 20 km | approx. 26 min |
| Day 1 | Święta Katarzyna → Kielce | 23 km | approx. 33 min |
| Day 2 | Kielce → Raj Cave | 12 km | approx. 17 min |
| Day 2 | Raj Cave → Chęciny | 5 km | approx. 8 min |
| Day 2 | Chęciny → Tokarnia | 12 km | approx. 18 min |
| Day 2 | Tokarnia → Warszawa | 199 km | approx. 2 h 19 min |
| Total | 451 km |
Day 1: Święty Krzyż, the gołoborze and Łysica
Nowa Słupia is 180 km from Warsaw, about 2 hours 20 minutes. From here the blue trail known as the Royal Road (Droga Królewska) climbs Łysa Góra (595 m): 1.9 km and about 50 minutes uphill. On the summit stands the Sanctuary of the Relics of the Holy Cross, open daily 9:00-17:00 and longer in summer. Next to it is a viewing gallery over the gołoborze, a field of loose rock on the slope, which needs a separate ticket.
Entry to the trails of Świętokrzyski National Park is paid all year, and a ticket is valid only on the day you buy it. The easiest option is to buy it on your phone before you start, because the ticket booths at the entrances mostly operate from April to October. The park publishes current Świętokrzyski National Park ticket prices (in Polish).
After the descent, drive 20 km to Święta Katarzyna. From here Łysica, the highest peak of the Holy Cross Mountains (612 m according to the park), is 2.5 km and about an hour uphill. Allow about 2 hours there and back. Kielce, your overnight stop, is about half an hour away.
Day 2: Kielce, Raj Cave, Chęciny and Tokarnia
In the morning, visit Kadzielnia in Kielce: a former quarry with the Skałka Geologów nature reserve and an amphitheatre. From April to October an underground route links three caves here, but tickets must be booked at least one day ahead.
Raj Cave is 12 km from Kielce. Visits are guided only, the route is 180 m long and takes about 45 minutes, and it is about 9°C inside, so bring a sweater even in summer. The cave is open from 15 January to 15 November, Tuesday to Sunday. Entry times are listed on the page with Raj Cave opening hours (in Polish), and booking is worth it at weekends.
Chęciny Royal Castle is 5 km further on and is open all year. To finish the day, 12 km from Chęciny, visit the Tokarnia Ethnographic Park with wooden buildings from old villages of the Kielce region. Tokarnia to Warsaw is 199 km, about 2 hours 20 minutes on the S7.
Holy Cross Mountains attractions: seasons and ticket prices
Prices and seasons as of November 2026. Opening hours change month by month, so check them before you go.
| Place | When open | Standard ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Świętokrzyski National Park | all year | 11 zł, reduced 5.50 zł; children under 7 and Large Family Card holders free |
| Gołoborze viewing gallery | all year | separate ticket 14 zł, reduced 7.50 zł |
| Raj Cave | 15 January - 15 November, Tue-Sun | 39 zł, 44 zł in July and August; booking recommended |
| Chęciny Royal Castle | all year, daily | 23 zł, reduced 19 zł |
| Kadzielnia underground route | 1 April - 31 October, Tue-Sun | 30 zł, reduced 25 zł; book at least one day ahead |
| Tokarnia Ethnographic Park | all year, November to March 9:00-15:00 | on Mondays free entry to the open-air exhibition only |
In winter Raj Cave and the Kadzielnia underground route are closed, and two black park trails, to Przełęcz Hucka and Przełęcz św. Mikołaja, are closed from 1 November to 31 March. Chęciny Castle, the Tokarnia open-air museum and the trails to Łysica and Święty Krzyż stay open all year.
Starting from Radom, with Krzemionki
Radom to Nowa Słupia is 82 km, about 1 hour 20 minutes, and the full loop back from Tokarnia is about 254 km. With an extra day, stop at Krzemionki near Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski. Its prehistoric striped flint mines have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019. Tours are guided and must be booked, and the museum is closed on Mondays.
How far you will drive and which car to choose
The weekend loop from Warsaw is about 451 km. The Base rate includes 250 km per day, so a 2-day rental gives you 500 km and the route fits. If you want to add Krzemionki, Sandomierz or Bałtów, choose the Prime rate with unlimited mileage. For another weekend plan, see Podlasie by car from Warsaw.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Warsaw to the Holy Cross Mountains?
Kielce and Nowa Słupia are about 180 km away, 2 to 2.5 hours without stops.
How long does it take to climb Łysica?
About an hour for the 2.5 km from Święta Katarzyna. Allow 2 hours there and back.
Is there an entry fee for Świętokrzyski National Park?
Yes, all year. A standard ticket costs 11 zł and a reduced one 5.50 zł. Children under 7 and Large Family Card holders, among others, enter free.
Is Raj Cave open in winter?
No. The cave is open from 15 January to 15 November. In winter you can still visit Chęciny Castle and the Tokarnia open-air museum, which are open all year.