Pieniny

pieninyThese not high, in fact quite low, and yet extremely picturesque limestone mountains are situated along Poland’s southern border, between the Beskidy Mountains, the Tatras and Podhale. They overlook the spectacular Dunajec River gorge, snaking between rock cliffs, a highlight on a European scale. The central part is officially designated a national park with a huge number of plant and animal species. It is estimated that almost half of all species recorded in Poland are to be found here. Besides this, near the village of Jaworki, there are two reserves: Wawoz Homole, the prettiest ravine in the Pieniny, and Biala Woda Reserve, protecting the brook valley. The mountains of Sokolica and Trzy Korony have also been decreed reserves.

These not high, in fact quite low, and yet extremely picturesque limestone mountains are situated along Poland’s southern border, between the Beskidy Mountains, the Tatras and Podhale. They overlook the spectacular Dunajec River gorge, snaking between rock cliffs, a highlight on a European scale. The central part is officially designated a national park with a huge number of plant and animal species. It is estimated that almost half of all species recorded in Poland are to be found here. Besides this, near the village of Jaworki, there are two reserves: Wawoz Homole, the prettiest ravine in the Pieniny, and Biala Woda Reserve, protecting the brook valley. The mountains of Sokolica and Trzy Korony have also been decreed reserves.

HOW TO GET THERE 
Szczawnica, Sromowce, Kroscienko, Niedzica are served by buses from Nowy Targ, and Szczawnica is also connected by bus with Krakow. There is no railway in the region – the closest station is in Nowy Targ – but getting to any of these towns is quite simple. If going by car, then from Krakow you simply need to take the E77 to Lubien, then take the 968 to Zabrzeze where you should turn right onto the 969 to Kroscienko. Szczawnica is a stone throw from there.

 

A LIST OF HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS IN POLAND

Beskid Makowski
Beskid Maly
Beskid Mountains (East)
Beskid Mountains (West)
Beskid Niski
Beskid Sadecki
Beskid Slaski
Beskid Wyspowy
Beskid Zywiecki
Bialowieza Forest
Biebrza River
Bieszczady
Bory Tucholskie
Gdansk Bay and Hel Peninsula
Gorce
Greater Poland National Park
Holy Cross Mountains
Ilawa Lakes
Jura Krakowsko-Czestochowska
Kampinos & Lowicz area
Karkonosze Mountains
Kaszuby
Kurpie
Lake Zegrze and lower Narew
Lubusz Lakeland
Masuria
Masuria (centre)
Masuria (East)
Narew River
Pieniny
Podhale
Polesie
Pomerania and Slowinski National Park
Roztocze
Sowie and Kamienne Mountains
Stolowe Mountains and Klodzka Land
Suwalki
Tatra Mountains
Vistula Spit and Zulawy Wislane
Warmia
Warsaw area
Western Pomerania
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