Medium
982m
2-3 hours

Trzy Korony

Pieniny Właściwe | 982 | Medium

Explore Place

Trzy Korony is the highest peak in the Central Pieniny. Contrary to appearances, it does not consist of three, but of five crags, the highest of which is Okrąglica. It is on this peak that the viewing platform is located, from which we can admire the Dunajec Gorge, other Pieniny peaks, and in good weather, also the Tatras.

Route from Krościenko nad Dunajcem
The yellow trail leading to the summit from Krościenko nad Dunajcem from Trzech Koron Street is the oldest tourist route opened in the Pieniny Mountains. It was opened in 1906.
Summit name
Originally, the Three Crowns were simply called Pieniny. The current name has been in use since 1860 and is connected with the shape of the nearby peaks we can admire from Okrąglica. They form a crown.
Legend connected with the Swedish Deluge
If legends are to be believed, in the Szopczanski Gorge stretching between the Three Crowns and Podskalana Mountain, the highlanders rescued King Jan Kazimierz, who was defending himself against the Swedes.
Charges
Entrance to the Three Crowns is payable between 20.04 and 31.10. A normal ticket costs 6 PLN, while a discounted ticket is half price.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What trail can you take down from the summit?

Routes
1

Several routes are possible. The most interesting one seems to be the one leading through the Pienin...
Where to park when hitting the trail?

Access
2

In Krościenko, we can stop at Flisaki Pienińskie Street, and in Szczawnica at Flisacka Street. Howev...
How long does it take to go to the top?

Time
3

Depending on which route you choose, it may be 2 or 3 hours. However, it is worth leaving some time ...
Where is the accommodation close to the summit?

Tourist traffic
4

The PTTK Three Crowns mountain hostel is located at the foot of the peak. It is a great starting poi...
Is it a difficult peak to climb?

Access
5

No, especially if you take the route leading from Lake Czorsztyńskie. Admittedly, the blue trail tak...

Story

Start in Kroscienko

Shortest route to the summit

Three Crowns Street
As mentioned earlier, the most popular route leading to the Three Crowns is the one leaving from Krościenko nad Dunajcem. We start our hike on Trzy Korony Street, which reminds us of our destination. From here, at a leisurely pace, you will reach your destination in just over 2 hours, and the road will be full of breathtaking views and points worth stopping at.
St. Roch Chapel
To see the first such point, we do not have to look far. This is because it is the oldest chapel in Kroscienko - St. Roch Chapel located on Three Crowns Street. It was built at the beginning of the 18th century on the initiative of the then parish priest, who wished to thank the saint for protecting the local population from the plague epidemic then prevailing in southern Lesser Poland. The chapel is brick and plastered with a rather austere interior, which contains paintings of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. We give ourselves a few minutes to explore and then set off along the yellow trail leading to the summit.
Pieniński Potok

A stream with crystal clear water

Water
After about 30 minutes on our way, we encounter the Pieniny Stream, whose valley is one of the wildest places in the Pieniny. Its name appears in documents from as early as the beginning of the 17th century! It is a strictly protected area and, apart from a small section near Bajkowy Groń, is inaccessible to tourists. It is home to protected rare species of mosses, and about 30 species of birds have been found in the valley, e.g. the wagtail wagtail and the common platypus.
Bajków Groń
The Pieniński Potok is adjacent to the southern slopes of the Bajków Groń peak. It is 721 m above sea level, and its name comes from the two small hills in the area: Bajków and Groń. Two hiking trails meet on it: the one from Krościenko, which we follow, and the blue trail leading from Trzech Koron to Szczawnica.
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Praise God!

Past the halfway point

Scribes Pass
After another 30 minutes, we arrive at a place where tourists often stop. Crib Pass is also often referred to as: "Praise God!", said to be due to the shouts given by people as they 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 we still have 45 minutes left to our hiking destination, the Three Crowns.
First views
However, before setting off further, it is advisable to stop for a while and go to a clearing from which there are impressive views. From Szopka clearing you can see the foothills of the Spiš region and the snow-capped peaks of the Tatra Mountains, which are a motivation for further climbing - because the views are guaranteed to be even more beautiful from the top!
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Viewing terrace

Beginning

Ticket office
The route from Raccoon Pass is not the easiest. Many steep climbs and stone steps await us, which are often wet, forcing travellers to be cautious. After a further 35 minutes, we should find ourselves at the ticket office, where fees are collected for climbing to the summit. These are enforced between 20.04 and 31.10, and tickets cost 6 zloty (normal ticket) and 3 zloty (concessionary ticket).
Metal platform
When we have finally managed to pass the ticket office, we must be prepared for a long queue to enter the metal platform located on Okrąglica. It is therefore advisable to go to the summit at less popular times or on weekdays so as not to waste time waiting unnecessarily. The views are stunning. The 500-metre precipice and the landscape of the Pieniny, Tatra Mountains and the Dunajec Gorge are worth the effort to reach the top. Our eyes will also see Krościenko, from where we started our hike. The panorama stretching from this place looks especially attractive in autumn, when we can admire the multicoloured landscape of the Pieniny forests.
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Return

Multiple descent options

Pieniny Castle
When considering a return, there are many options to choose from. One of them will be the Pieniny Road, which leads through the Pieniny Castle. Unfortunately, today only its ruins are open to visitors, as it was probably destroyed in the first half of the 15th century. It was small, the defence walls were 88 metres long and about a metre thick. Legend has it that during the Third Tartar invasion, St Kinga hid in it, who, by the way, was probably the orderer of its construction. Once you get acquainted with the history of this place, you can follow the blue trail to Szczawnica or return to the yellow trail leading to Sromowce.
Sromowce
Following the yellow trail to Sromowce, on the way you pass the PTTK shelter "Trzy Korony" (Three Crowns), where you can rest for a while. Finally, having already covered approx. 8 km we reach Sromowce Niżne, where we end our hike - what a coincidence! - also on the Three Crowns road.