1932 r.
14

Schronisko Orlica

Hostel | Szczawnica Zdrój

Explore Place

The PTTK Orlica mountain hostel is an ideal place for those who prefer long mountain hikes as well as those who are keen on various forms of active leisure. This is made possible by its convenient location near the blue trail called Trzy Korony ⇔Sokolica ⇔Szafranówka and the red trail coinciding with the Pieniny Trail. In addition to accommodation and delicious food, the hostel offers the option of renting equipment such as bicycles or snowshoes.

The wartime fate of the "Orlica"
After the outbreak of war, the building was occupied by the Germans, and towards the end a clandestine partisan hospital was run there.
Future plans
Five mountain chalets are to be built near the chalet in the near future. This is one of a series of facilities for larger organised groups and large numbers of visitors during the holiday months.
Tasty bites
The restaurant in the chalet has several dishes typical of the local cuisine, so if you want to try the rafters cutlet or Pieniny dumplings, you must visit it.
Year-round
Accommodation including meals is available for groups or individual holidaymakers throughout the year.
Active leisure
Whatever the season, you can stay active with equipment hire.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many places and rooms does the hostel have?

Parking
1

The accommodation consists of 14 rooms, or a total of 49 places. Each is equipped with an en-suite b...
What times are breakfasts served?

Time
2

They are served from 8:00 to 11:00.
Where is the nearest ATM?

Attractions
3

It is located 1.5 km away on Main Street.
What hours is the reception desk open?

Time
4

It is open from 8am to 9pm.
Is it possible to get there by car?

Access
5

Yes, after entering Szczawnica, turn at the first fork from the main road, cross the bridge and then...

Story

Border with Slovakia

How has it changed over the course of the 20th century?

Tough beginnings
Disputes over the border with Slovakia were nothing new. Even before 1918 there were conflicts between Austria-Hungary and Galicia over the exact division of the Tatra Mountains. The situation did not improve after Poland's independence and the separation of Czechoslovakia. There was then a renewed increase in discontent over the division of the lands, and the final decision of the Council of Ambassadors in Spa in 1920 did not change the attitude of the people living there.
Further fate of border lines
In 1938. Poland obtains numerous lands from Czechoslovakia, which are restored along with the rest of the country's territory in 1945. From 1975 onwards, on the basis of an agreement signed between the People's Republic of Poland and the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, there have been exchanges of equal areas. The most significant changes for the Szczawnica area took place in 2005 by means of an agreement between the People's Republic of Poland and the Slovak Republic, when land near Sromowce Wyżne and Niżne, Czerwone Klasztor and Stara Wieś Spiska was exchanged.
Today, there is no border control on the Pieniny Way or nearby trails, and the only company that monitors border crossings is a telephone service provider.
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Pod Szafranówką

Where will the blue trail take us?

Walking "behind" the chalet
If, after leaving the Orlica chalet, you climb the blue trail leading uphill, you will reach Szafranowka. The hike itself, according to the signs and various tourist counters, can take 55 minutes. Remember that this time is determined for an average speed of 4 km/h, and for every 100 m of ascent, 10 minutes are added. For this reason, if climbing with the family or simply at walking pace, more time should be planned for this activity.
Why is it worth it?
The advantage of this route is not only the picturesque scenery. It is also an ideal start to a day trip. After starting the day with breakfast at the "Orlica" chalet, you can head to Szafranówka and then to Palenica. It is recommended to stay there longer to take advantage of the attractions there. Later, take the cable car down to the centre of Szczawnica, from where you will take a slow walk back to the hostel.
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Pienińska Road

Delightful by bike and on foot.

General information
The Pieniny Way is the most popular hiking trail in the Pieniny Mountains. It owes this to the beautiful views and the many ways to traverse it. On foot, from the "Orlica" chalet to the Red Monastery, the ascent is no more than 60 m, and the entire crossing time is about 2.5 hours. The route itself is 9 km long, but this should not worry anyone as there are stopping points at various points along the way, which is a perfect place for a quick snack and a breather. The road can also be traversed by bicycle.
Attractions and views
When following the Pieniny Way, it is impossible to miss the many interesting rock formations of the Dunajec Gorge, which are best seen in spring and autumn. The scenery is also undoubtedly enhanced by rafts going down the river. On the way, it is also worth seeing the former Polish-Slovak border crossing or the Pieniny National Park Pavilion. At the end of the route, on the Slovak side, there is the Red Monastery, which is a place with a rich history undoubtedly worth a visit.
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Pavilion of the Pieniny National Park

What is it?

Functions and location
There are 5 pavilions in the Pieniny National Park whose task is to acquaint tourists with the nature of the Pieniny and ways of protecting it, as well as with the history and tradition of the region. They are located in Czorsztyn, Szczawnica, Sromowce Niżne, Krościenko nad Dunajcem and Sromowce - Kąty. Along the Pienińska Road there are three such facilities. The first is a pavilion in Szczawnica with a permanent exhibition entitled 'Forest ecosystems of the Pieniny'. Further pavilions are located on the Slovakian side in turn: right at the border and at the Red Monastery. Please note that each of them has its own opening hours.
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Lower Flisack Marina

The end of an unforgettable adventure

Dunajec Gorge Rafting
Bottom of the rafting harbour is one of the possible end points of a boat trip through the Dunajec Gorge. The rafting trip should be a must-see experience for every tourist. The wonderful views and anecdotes of the rafters make this event memorable for a long time. We can start it at the rafting port in Sromowce Wyżne - Kąty or Sromowce Niżne and it takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to the port in Szczawnica. It is 30 minutes longer if you decide to finish it in Krościenko. It is worth remembering to take some warmer clothes with you and check the weather forecast, and it is best to get to the point itself by bus or walk.
Modernisation of the marina
In May 2023, the lower rafting marina in Szczawnica completed a major modernisation partly financed by EU funds. It included the refurbishment of the concrete wharves and stairs, the setting up of exhibition shelters with information about the region, as well as the construction of a canoe track with stands.
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