Ryczów Desert

The Ryczów Desert (Pustynia Ryczowska) is an area of former shifting sands near Ryczów in Ogrodzieniec municipality, in Zawiercie County. Today it is completely overgrown, and its area is estimated at about one square kilometre.

Part of the former desert

In the 1930s this area was regarded as part of the Great Błędów Desert, together with nearby areas of similar landscape. After the war the sands still stretched over a larger area, and later vegetation grew over them. A visit therefore does not mean a walk across open dunes, as on the Błędów Desert.

Nearby

Ryczów lies near the ruins of Ogrodzieniec Castle and on the route of the Trail of the Eagles' Nests, so the desert is easy to include in a trip around the Jura.

Practical information

• Near Ryczów, Ogrodzieniec municipality.
• Before setting out, it is worth checking current information on routes and access with the municipality.