The Pieniny and the Dunajec gorge.

Pieniny The Pieniny are one of the most beautiful places in Poland. This mountain chain is 35 km long and 4-5 km wide. Almost the whole chain is protected by Pieninski National Park. Because of the unique virtues, the Pieniny are regarded as a one of the most important nature peculiarities in Europe. Northern slopes of the Pieniny are relatively gentle. From another side, where the Dunajec flows, slopes are very steep and the limestone faces are up to 300 metres high. The main tourist attraction of the Pieniny is a white-water rafting through the Dunajec gorge.

Whole trip starts at the marina in Sromowice- Kąty, where a car park and an exhibition pavilion of the Pieniński National Park are located. The river flows through the gorge in seven loops. The Dunajec in this place is a border river between Poland and Slovakia. Raftsmen’s rafts has been transporting tourists for over one hundred years.

Whole route is 15 km long, although it is only 6 km to the ending marina in Szczawnica in straight line. Difference of the levels is 36 metres. It takes between 2 and 3 hours to cover the route, depending on the water condition. From Szczawnica to Sromowce tourists can travel by bus ( price of the ticket 5 zł).

The most attractive trail of The Pieniny leads from Sromowce Ni¿ne through Trzy Korony, Pieniny Castle, Sokolica to Szczawnica. From the peak of Trzy Korony (982 m above the sea level) displays a beautiful and unusual wide panorama. Probably the most beautiful part of the route is a passage of the Sokola Peræ’s ridge and the view from the top of Sokolica ( 747 m above the sea level). 300 metres below us Dunajec river flows and the raftsmen’s rafts are rowing.

During stay in The Pieniny, castles in Nidzica and Czorsztyn are worth visiting. Because of the beauty of the surroundings it is a great idea to stay here for a longer time, for example in Szczawnica, Czorsztyn or Kroscienko.