Pieniny Małe — peaks, attractions, accommodation, weather

Explore Subregion

Pieniny Małe belong to the eastern part of the Pieniny range, stretching from the Dunajec Gorge to the Slovak village of Jarzębina. They are characterised by the diversity of landscape, which makes them an excellent place for hiking, cycling and skiing. Most of these activities can be enjoyed on specially prepared trails in the reserves, which protect unusual rock formations and rare natural specimens.

Name
Pieniny Małe were not known by their name until the middle of the 19th century, before that the area was called "Szlachtowska Rus"
Remnants of silver mines
Beneath Jarmuta, you can find disused adits, left over from 18th century silver mines. Entry to the area is forbidden, yet stories about them continue to interest not only locals but also visitors.
House of the symbol of the Pieniny National Park
In the Homole Gorge, you can see the Apollo's Clouded Apollo, a rare butterfly specimen that is a symbol of the Pieniny National Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

What trails can be found in the Pieniny Maly?
Routes
1
A blue hiking trail, which is an extension of the route leading through the Pieniny Właściwe, runs a...
Where can I find accommodation?
Tourist traffic
2
They can be found in the neighbouring villages of Szczawnica, Krościenko and Jaworki. In addition, t...
Is it necessary to pay before entering the trail?
Prices
3
It depends on where you go. For example, before entering the Homole Gorge, you have to pay a fee of ...
What are the rules on canine-accompanied tourism in these areas?
Tourist traffic
4
Unfortunately, it is forbidden to bring dogs into the Pieniny National Park and the White Water, Hig...

Story

Settlement
That is, who, where and when
The oldest traces of settlement in this area, discovered in the Homole Gorge and the Jarmuta area, date back to the Bronze Age. Subsequent mentions of the population of this area come only from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. The first documented villages are chronologically: Lesnica, Czerwony Klasztor and Szczawnica. Later, Szlachtowa and Jaworki appeared, which, together with Czarna and Biała Woda, formed an enclave inhabited by a Lemko population known as the Szlachtowska Rus. They were mainly engaged in farming and shepherding, and after their work was done, they wandered about, knitting pots.
After the war, as part of Operation Vistula, the local population was resettled, and settlers mainly from the Podhale region were brought in to replace them. However, the villages on the Slovak side remained intact in this respect. More detailed information on this subject can be found in the Pieniny Museum, which is an ideal attraction for those thirsting for knowledge, curiosities and viewing amazing handicrafts.
Hiking routes
Summits near and a little further afield
Peaks that do not break records for height or popularity also deserve a moment's attention. As is well known, it's not just the destination that matters, but also the path leading to it.
Beginning this short list, it is worth mentioning Wysoki Wierch (898 metres above sea level), which can be reached from the village of Szlachtowa, 4.6 km away. It takes an average of 2 hours of walking to cover this distance. Another starting point can be the Durbaszka mountain, located 2.1 km from the destination, which will take about 40 minutes of walking. Alternatively, a good starting point is the Slovak village of Veľký Lipník, from where you can reach Wysoki Wierch, covering a distance of almost 4 km in about 1.5 hours of walking.
The next mountain worth climbing is Durbaszka, which is also reached by a trail from the village of Szlachtowa. Reaching it requires about 2 hours of walking, covering a distance of 5.3 km. Another good starting point is Jaworki, 5 km away from Durbaszka. You can also get there from Wysoki Wierch, covering 1.9 km in about 40 minutes, or from Wysoka, which is 1.7 km away and requires about 30 minutes of walking.
Don't forget also the pass pod Tokarnią (Lesnické sedlo) located 2.5 km behind Wysoki Wierch, which can be reached by a walk of 40 minutes. Its breathtaking views make it an ideal place to take unique photos.
.