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Lesser Pieniny Mountains

  • 1052 m above sea level

Explore Subregion

The Małe Pieniny mountains belong to the eastern part of the Pieniny range, stretching from the Dunajec Gorge to the Slovak town of Jarzębina. They are characterized by a diverse landscape, making them an excellent place for hiking, cycling, and skiing. Most of these activities can be enjoyed on specially prepared trails within nature reserves, which protect unique rock formations and rare natural specimens.

  • Name

    The name “Pieniny Małe” was only used from the mid-19th century onwards; previously, these areas were referred to as “Ruś Szlachtowska”.

  • Remnants of silver mines

    Under Jarmuta, you can find abandoned mine shafts, remnants of 18th-century silver mines. Access to this area is prohibited, but the stories about them continue to fascinate not only the locals but also visitors.

  • The iconic building of the Pieniny National Park

    In the Homole Gorge, you can see the Apollo butterfly, a rare species that is a symbol of the Pieniny National Park.

  • Diversity

    In the Lesser Pieniny Mountains, you can find both steep southern slopes and valleys crisscrossed by numerous streams, creating a dense network of waterways.

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Lesser Pieniny Mountains

A mountain range in the Pieniny Mountains

A Feast for the Eyes

The Lesser Pieniny Mountains are an ideal place for a longer vacation or a day trip. Numerous hiking trails, picturesque views, and the fact that you don’t need to be in top physical condition to hike them make them attractive to families, seniors, and young people. Most of these people will hike along the most popular hiking trail in the area at some point during their trip. This trail runs along the ridge of the Lesser Pieniny Mountains and, in good weather, allows you to enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

Not Just for Hikers

It is worth remembering that these are not just places for hiking; some of them have also been adapted for cyclists. People who are less inclined to physical activity will also find something for themselves. They can relax in the surrounding spa towns or take advantage of chairlifts and enjoy beautiful views with minimal effort. One lift leads to Palenica from Szczawnica, and the other runs from the Zaskalski Valley in Jaworki to Bukowinki. History buffs may also be interested in visiting historical sites in Szczawnica, Jaworki, Szlachtowa, or Czerwony Klasztor.

Nature Reserves

In Poland, relic sites and unique natural formations are protected by nature reserves. Currently, there are four such places in the Lesser Pieniny Mountains: the Biała Woda Nature Reserve, the Homole Gorge, Wysokie Skałki, and Zaskalskie-Bodnarówka. Fortunately, despite the need to protect the landscape, three of the four reserves are accessible to visitors. The exception to this is the Zaskalskie-Bodnarówka reserve, which requires permission from the forestry district to visit. This is due to the active conservation efforts implemented there since 2016.


Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Jakie szlaki można znaleźć w Pieninach Małych?

    Szlaki

    1

    Przez praktycznie całą ich granicę przebiega niebieski szlak turystyczny, będący przedłużeniem trasy...

  • Gdzie można znaleźć noclegi?

    Ruch turystyczny

    2

    Można je znaleźć w okolicznych miejscowościach takich jak: Szczawnica, Krościenko oraz Jaworki. Opró...

  • Czy konieczne jest dokonywanie opłat przed wejściem na szlak?

    Ceny

    3

    Zależy od miejsca w które się wybieramy. Na przykład przed wejściem do  Wąwozu Homole trzeba uiścić ...

  • Jakie są zasady dotyczące turystyki z towarzystwem psa na tych terenach?

    Ruch turystyczny

    4

    Niestety wprowadzanie psów na teren Pienińskiego PN i rezerwatu Biała Woda, Wysokie Skałki oraz Wąwó...

Story

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    Settlement

    That is, who, where, and when

    The oldest traces of settlement in these areas, discovered in the Homole Gorge and the vicinity of Jarmuta, date back to the Bronze Age. Subsequent mentions of the population in these areas only appear in the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries. The first documented settlements, in chronological order, are: Leśnica, Czerwony Klasztor, and Szczawnica. Later, Szlachtowa and Jaworki emerged, which, together with Czarna and Biała Woda, formed an enclave inhabited by the Lemko people, known as Ruś Szlachtowska. They were mainly engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, and after finishing their work, they traveled around, mending pots.

    After the war, as part of Operation Vistula, the local population was resettled, and settlers were brought in, mainly from the Podhale region, to replace them. However, the villages on the Slovakian side remained unaffected in this regard. More detailed information on this topic can be found in the Pieniny Museum, which is an ideal attraction for those seeking knowledge, interesting facts, and the opportunity to see amazing handicrafts.

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    Hiking trails

    Nearby and slightly more distant peaks

    Peaks that don’t break height or popularity records also deserve a moment of attention. As is well known, it’s not just the destination that matters, but also the journey to get there.

    Starting with this short list, it’s worth mentioning Wysoki Wierch (898 meters above sea level), which can be reached from the village of Szlachtowa,

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Peaks and Attractions

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Zaskalskie-Bodnarówka Nature Reserve

Little Pieniny

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High

Peak | 1050 m | moderate

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Jarmuta

Małe Pieniny | 794 m | moderate

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High Peak

Małe Pieniny | 898 m | moderate

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Durbaszka

Małe Pieniny | 934 m | easy

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Palenica and Szafranówka

Pieniny Mountains | 722-742 m | easy

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The Homole Nature Reserve and Gorge

The Hidden Treasure of the Lesser Pieniny Mountains

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The church in Szlachtowa

Jaworki

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Church of St. Chrysostom

Architecture | Jaworki

Explore Region

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Pieniny Mountains

Mountains for enthusiasts

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