Pieniny

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The Pieniny Mountains are an ideal place to pursue all passions related to hiking or active leisure in general. Situated between the Tatra Mountains and the Beskidy Mountains, they boast not only amazing panoramas, but also exceptionally rich fauna and flora. Every tourist wishing to experience the qualities of this region should visit such peaks as Trzy Korony, Sokolica or Wysoka. It is also worth planning time to visit Niedzica, Szczawnica or Krościenko nad Dunajcem, full of monuments, attractions and hiding many intriguing stories.

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  Origin of the name

  The origin of the name Pieniny is not certain. Some researchers believe that it comes from the words "piana" or "pion". They were, supposedly, inspired in turn by the foam formed at the Dunajec gorge as a result of the rush of water and the verticality of the walls of gorges and gorges. Another possibility considered is the Celtic word 'penn', which meant mountain or peak.

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  Volcanic origin of the Jarmuta massif

  The Jarmuta massif is built of Miocene Pieniny andesites. They were mined on the slopes of Czuprana and then used in construction. Today, we can see them in the form of bas-reliefs on the Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego building in Warsaw or as kerbstones in Kraków's Old Town.

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  Endemics

  Two endemic plant species can be found in the Pieniny: the Pieniny dandelion, which grows on the peaks of the Three Crowns, and the Pieniny pszonak, which grows on the rocks of Castle Mountain and the walls of Czorsztyn Castle.

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  Division of the Pieniny

  Pieniny are divided into 3 parts: Pieniny Spiskie - between the Białka valley and Niedzicki castle, Pieniny Właściwe - between Czorsztyn and Szczawnica, and Małe Pieniny - between the Dunajec River at the height of Szczawnica and Rozdziele Pass in the east. The Slovakian Golica Group also belongs to the Pieniny Właściwe. The highest peak of the Pieniny is Wysoka (1050 m).

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Pieniny

Mountains for enthusiasts

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Wonders of Nature

The geological structure of the Pieniny Mountains has been a conundrum for scientists since as far back as the early 20th century, as evidenced by the opinion of Maurice Lugeon. He believed that to know the geology of these mountains would represent the pinnacle of science at the time. Today, only a part of the geological processes that shaped the unique landscapes of the Pieniny is known. However, this does not change the fact that the numerous gorges, gorges and peaks make them a perfect place for hiking, during which there is no shortage of opportunities to take beautiful photographs. The favourable climate together with the great ease of plant migration has contributed to the creation of a rich vegetation cover, the preservation of which is dealt with by the Pieniny National Park.

Attractions

The first association for most people with the keyword "Attraction in Pieniny" are probably hiking trails. Indeed, climbing the peaks of the Three Crowns or going to Sokolica is not to be missed, but it is not the only option. Everyone should at least once go for a rafting trip down the Dunajec gorge or a cruise on Lake Czorsztyńskie. For cycling enthusiasts, a ride along the Pienińska Road will be a great adventure. On the other hand, those who love monuments and intriguing stories should definitely visit Szczawnica, Niedzica, Krościenko nad Dunajcem or Czorsztyn. While visiting them, be sure to try the regional cuisine, whose dishes are often as surprising as their names.

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