Las Wolski is a large, green backdrop for nature, outdoor and family portrait photography — wide meadows, ridges with viewpoints and comfortable alleys near the ZOO offer a lot of variety for shots close to the city center.
In many parts of the forest you’ll find hardened paths and asphalt sections that make moving around with a stroller or wheelchair easier, and the most popular routes usually have gentler slopes than the more rugged trails.
In practice the best photo spots and the easiest approaches are concentrated around the ZOO, Piłsudski Mound and the nearby clearings — that’s where you can plan a route friendly to people with reduced mobility.
Below you’ll find a list of 10 specific places, photography tips and practical information about accessibility and getting there. If you’re unsure about the state of a path on a given day, check local notices or call the ZOO or the Education Center in advance — some routes may be temporarily limited during the season.
When a location requires a short climb or uneven ground I state it clearly and suggest an asphalt or hardened alternative. Play with light: the golden hour and morning mist in Las Wolski give particularly beautiful results.
1. Promenade around the ZOO — a wide, asphalted promenade ideal for family portraits and dynamic shots with motion. The route is flat, with benches and shelters, so it’s great for a session with minimal effort. The ZOO area is easy to reach and is served by bus line 134.
2. The road from the ZOO to Piłsudski Mound — a short, fully asphalted section that allows quick access to the viewpoint without forcing you onto forest trails. Great for Krakow panoramas and family photos with the mound in the background.
3. The meadow by the Centre for Ecological Education (Symbioza) — an open area with natural light, good for portraits and picnic-style frames; access is usually via a hardened surface or a short section of natural ground.
4. The viewpoint at Piłsudski Mound — the mound itself offers a wide panorama, and its upper parts are sometimes accessible thanks to gentler approaches from the ZOO side; check the exact route if full accessibility is important to you.
5. 'Baba Jaga' hill and surrounding meadows — soft light at sunrise or sunset creates great contrasts for lifestyle photos; accessibility varies by path, so choose hardened tracks where possible.
6. The Camaldolese monastery (views from outside) on Srebrna Góra — a picturesque historic backdrop; without climbing steep steps you can still find convenient photo points on nearby paths.
7. Forest clearings near the Sikorniki strip — the trees provide intimate frames and lovely bokeh; some approaches are hardened but a few clearings require a short roll or walk on soft ground.
8. The small urban vineyard and areas around Srebrna Góra — an unusual city backdrop that yields elegant, calm frames; surrounding terrain is generally accessible but check local approaches.
9. Wooden shelters and benches along the main alleys — park details that add context to family and lifestyle photos; these spots are wheelchair-friendly.
10. Green corridors along the forest edge with city views — perfect for ‘city + nature’ shots, especially in evening light; accessibility depends on the chosen path, but many sections include hardened fragments.
The most convenient public transport option to the ZOO is bus line 134, which stops at the garden gate — often the simplest solution for visitors coming from central Krakow.
On weekdays it’s usually possible to park near the ZOO in paid, unguarded spaces; on weekends and holidays vehicle access to parts of Las Wolski can be restricted, so plan an alternative and check parking information the day before your visit.
If you need a route that is fully wheelchair-friendly, choose the asphalt promenades around the ZOO and the road leading to Piłsudski Mound; avoid narrow, rocky trails and sections with exposed roots.
Plan shoots for the golden hour (just after sunrise or before sunset) — light is soft then and adds natural depth. Low-angle forest shots add dynamism and enlarge perspective.
Use a tripod or stabilization for longer exposures in tree shade. If you’re on a wheelchair, keep camera gear in a backpack with easy access so you can quickly grab your camera.
Check the weather and ground moisture — after rain some short sections can be slippery or muddy; pick asphalt routes to avoid those issues.
Comfortable shoes, even if you use a wheelchair — sometimes you’ll need to step out and move a short distance. A light throw or picnic blanket for the meadow if you plan a family session.
A small first-aid kit, water and snacks, a powerbank for your phone, sunscreen and a hat. If you use a wheelchair, consider protective covers for wheels in case of mud or rough ground.
If you plan a session with models or a larger group, notify the ZOO or the site manager in advance to avoid crowds and secure a suitable spot.
The basic mistake is planning a route without checking the surface type — many beautiful spots require traversing soft ground. Choose asphalt alternatives if full accessibility is a priority.
Ignoring parking restrictions and vehicle bans on weekends is another frequent error — consider leaving the car farther away and taking a short, easier section on foot or using bus 134.
Lack of a photographic plan is a common cause of stress: too much gear and no preparation for changing light reduce the number of successful frames.
Near the ZOO entrance you’ll find places with a simple menu and coffee — perfect for a short rest after a walk. A popular option is the café next to the educational zones where you can sit on a bench and recharge before continuing your session.
If you prefer a restaurant atmosphere, heading back toward Salwator and Bronowice gives you more choices — pick places with good reviews and wheelchair access (step-free entrance, accessible toilet).
Can you get a wheelchair right up to the ZOO gate? Yes — the area by the main avenue is generally hardened and accessible for wheelchairs; public transport (bus 134) makes it easier to arrive without a car.
Is Piłsudski Mound fully accessible for wheelchair users? Many approaches to the mound use asphalt sections (especially the route from the ZOO), but some final parts and stairways are not fully accessible — check the exact route before you go.
Do I need permission to take photos in Las Wolski? For private use you don’t need permission; for commercial shoots it’s best to check regulations and, if necessary, contact the area manager in advance.
Las Wolski contains a unique mix of attractions — from the ZOO, through the Camaldolese monastery, to an urban vineyard — making it an interesting field for themed photography.
Especially in early spring you may encounter rare birds and morning mists on the meadows, which create magical frames — arrive early and allow time for observation.
Las Wolski can get busy on weekends — for quieter shots choose weekday mornings or side alleys farther from the ZOO.
Las Wolski combines easily accessible promenades with wild corners — it offers many ideas for photos, including for people who use wheelchairs. When planning your route choose asphalt and hardened sections, check parking and transport (for example bus 134) and plan a coffee break near the ZOO entrance.
If you like this guide, please share it with friends or on social media — it helps other visitors discover Krakow in a safe and friendly way. For personalized help you can use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact and offerings are available via zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Thank you for reading and I wish you many great frames in Krakow’s forest areas!
