Pieniny Mountains

Pieniny is a small mountain range in southern Poland rising to about 1000m with picturesque Dunajec River Gorge in the middle. This is the landscape of ravines and gorges, limestone sheer rocks and pastures in the forests clearings. All of that plus a spa resort, two castles and historic wooden churches makes Pieniy a very attractive holiday destination.

The mountains look particular spectacular in the autumn when forests turn all shades of gold & red.

• Dunajec River Gorge raft trip, 3 hour long trip down the winding river with spectacular views of cliffs and peaks of Pieniny including Trzy Korony (Three Crowns)
• Hiking , numerous hiking trails such as climbing Trzy Korony or Wysoka or along Dunajec River to Red Cloisters
• Cycling along Dunajec river to Czerwony Klasztor (Red Monastery) , 9 km cycle on Droga Pieninska route along Dunajec River Gorge and a visit to 14th century monastery
• Homole ravine, 1 hour walk, return by chairlift to Jaworki and visit to the Lemkow orthodox church in Jaworki
• Medival castle in Nidzica, sightseeing combined with a boat trip on Jezioro Czorsztynskie
• Ruins of the castle in Czorsztyn, sightseeing combined with a boat trip to the castle on the other side of Dunajec in Nidzica
• 15th century wooden church in Grywald
• Szczawnica , a charming town on the border with Slovakia has been a tourist and a health spa resort since the 19th century thanks to its location, climate and natural mineral waters. Its attractions include chairlift to Palenica mountain, mineral springs, wooden architecture from early 20th century. In the summer there are colourful planted animal sculptures all over the town.
• Winter sports & skiing ,with ski lifts and routes maintained to alpine standards in Szczawnica
• Cycling and horse-riding routes

Szczawnica makes a very good base for a holiday in Pieniny. This small mountain resort has a good choice of accommodation, restaurants and mountain-bike rental places.

Many walking and cycling routes start here or from nearby Kroscienko or Jaworki where you can easily get to by bus. In winter, ski & other winter sports equipment is widely available from many rental places.

Many travel companies, located on the high street in Szczawnica, organize day trips to most local attractions including places in nearby Slovakia.

How to get there - fly to Krakow

The nearest airport is in Krakow. From Krakow there is a 2.5 hour coach journey to Szczawnica. The buses to Szcawnica depart from the bus station that is located next to the main railway station in Krakow.

Pieniny Mountains Map