Near the exit the valley is narrow but farther up it fans out into several lateral branches, above which rise the rounded summits of the Western Tatras, the highest of which is Mt.

In the 19th century Kościeliska valley was one of the strongest and biggest metallurgical centres in the area; in the neighbouring mountains various metals were found, mainly silver, and later on also iron ore.[3] This valley owes its exceptional charm not only to its beauty spots, but also to its numerous forms of characteristic of limestone country: caves, wells, shaped rocks and crags.

[6] Among the most interesting tourist spots in the valley are:[7] In the lover part of the Dolina Kościeliska the red trail branches off Polana Upłaz, and takes one to the summit of Ciemniak (2,090 metres AMSL), a mountain in the Czerwone Wierchy (Red Peaks) group of peaks.

The black path "Ścieżka nad Reglami" leading to Chochołowska Valley.

Yellow trail leads up to the pass Iwaniacka Przełęcz and thence to the summit Ornak (1,854 metres).