Pieniny National Park, Pieniny Właściwe — photos, info, weather

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Pieniny National Park is the oldest national park in Poland and covers the most valuable areas of the Pieniny Proper. It impresses with the variety of attractions and opportunities it offers: it offers visits to the castles in Niedzica and Czorsztyn, rafting on the Dunajec River, as well as - and perhaps most importantly! - 35 kilometres of hiking trails. In addition, there are well-known peaks within its boundaries: Sokolica with its famous pine trees or Trzy Korony with its five (not three!) crags, which are just waiting for tourists thirsty for beautiful views.

Also on the Slovak side
The Czechoslovak Pieniny National Park, the smallest of today's Slovak national parks, was also established in 1932.
Pieniny Gorges
Another popular attraction of the Pieniny National Park are its numerous gorges. It is worth mentioning not only the most popular one - Homole, but also Sobczański Gorge and Międzyskała Gorge.
Routes
A total of 35 km. of trails that can be used to move between the attractions.
Fauna and flora
There are more than 7,000 animal species and more than 3,000 plants in the Park.
increased tourist traffic
per hectare area, it is the most crowded national park in Poland!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why the name "Pieniny"?
Tourist traffic
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It turns out that the current name of this mountain range comes from the former name 'Pioniny' due t...
Is entry to the park free of charge?
Prices
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Yes, PPN can be visited free of charge, while some fees apply, e.g. visiting the ruins of the Czorsz...
The Park's most recognisable attraction is the...
Tourist traffic
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It is certainly rafting down the Dunajec river gorge (paid, of course!), during which you can admire...
Where can you stay if you want to visit the Park?
Access
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We can buy accommodation in Krościenko nad Dunajcem or Szczawnica. From there, it will be easiest fo...
What is the Pieniny Way?
Access
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Droga Pienińska (Pieniny Road) is a 10 km long tourist trail leading from Szczawnica to Czerwony Kla...

Story

Start in Czorsztyn
Western end of the Park
Ruins of a 14th-century castle
Our adventure through the most important places in the Pieniny National Park begins with the charming ruins of Czorsztyn Castle. The building itself, probably built in the 14th century on the order of St. Kinga. The preserved and partially preserved ruins of the middle and upper castle, the Renaissance Baranowski Tower and Zieleniec are open to visitors. The terraces of the upper castle offer an interesting panorama of the Czorsztyńskie Reservoir, the Pieniny Spiskie Mountains and the Tatra Mountains. From the windows of the Baranowski Tower you can admire a panorama of Podhale, the Gorce Mountains and a fragment of the Czorsztyńskie Pieniny.
The Czorsztyńskie Reservoir
An attraction not to be missed is also a cruise on the dam reservoir completed in 1997, Lake Czorsztyńskie. Parts of Czorsztyn, Niedzica and Stare Maniowy are under the water of the reservoir. The lake cruise itself is offered by the "Harnaś" company, takes 50 minutes and allows you to enjoy the surrounding views: Czorsztyn and Niedzica castles, the Niedzica dam or the Pieniny peaks.
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Blue trail
Walking through the passes
Osice Pass
We set off from Czorsztyn and follow the blue trail towards Szczawnica. After about half an hour on the road we reach the Osice Pass. It is located on the border of the forest and on the crossroads of the roads leading from Krosnica to Niedzica and to Hałuszowa. The southern and western slopes of the pass and the ridge on the south-eastern side are forested. The entrance to the National Park is also located here.
Three Mounds Pass
We continue our journey and after another 45 minutes we reach our next stop - Three Mounds Pass. Contrary to appearances, the name does not come from the three mounds located there, but from the meeting point of borders of three villages: Hałuszowa, Sromowce Niżne and Tylka. Along the way, there will be something to feast your eyes on - on our right we will be able to admire peaks such as Palenica or Flaki.
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The way forward
Closer and closer to the highest peaks
First fork
In the place of the Trzy Kopce Pass, the red trail starts, by which we can descend to Sromowce Wyżne. The road should take about an hour, so if we are tired of the hike so far - we can finish our journey along this trail. But the most interesting is yet to come!
God be praised!
The most persistent can certainly say these words. For here we are left with a "stone's throw" to the Three Crowns. The Crib Pass is also often referred to as: "Glory to God!", said to be because of the shouts given by people during the climb who find a place to rest here. However, we should remember that it can be crowded during the tourist season. From the information board we learn that there are still 45 minutes to go to the Three Crowns. So let's get going!
Three Crowns
Beautiful views
The highest peak in the Pieniny
The route from Szopka Pass is not the easiest. Many steep ascents and stone steps await you, which are often wet, forcing travellers to be cautious. However, it is worth it because, even though there is a fee to enter the viewing terrace located on the highest of the five crags, the views are breathtaking. The 500-metre precipice and the landscape of the Pieniny, the Tatra Mountains and the Dunajec Gorge are well worth the effort to reach the top.
Pieniny Castle
Nearly to the Three Crowns are the ruins of the Pieniny Castle, which are also worth a visit. At present, we can visit less than 90 metres of defensive walls and a former rock cistern carved into the rock beyond them. On the eastern side behind the cistern, square foundations have survived which once probably formed a protective tower. The castle ruins are particularly popular with tourists in autumn - then the surrounding aura allows you to take beautiful photos and admire the colourful Pieniny forests.
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Sokola Perć
Time to come back!
Bajków Groń
It takes 15 minutes to get from Szopka Pass to Bajków Groń. It is 721 m above sea level and its name comes from the two small hills nearby: Bajków and Groń. The tourist trail called Sokola Perć starts here. It leads all the way to Szczawnica - our destination!
Sokolica
The very name - Sokola Perć should already tell us what we can meet on our way. After a little more than an hour of hiking we will reach Sokolica, probably the most famous peak in Pieniny, on which there is a famous pine tree. The views from there include the Dunajec Gorge and in good weather even the Tatra Mountains. However, we move on and after 40 minutes we are already in Szczawnica - here the charming Dunajec awaits us!
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