The Pienin National Park(Polish: Pieniński Park Narodowy) is a national park in Poland. It is located in the southern part Lesser Poland, in the middle Pienines, the most distinctive part of the Pienine rock belt, an elongated karst area that encompasses the Outer Western Carpathians (Beskydy Mountains) from the Inner Western Carpathians, e.g. the Tatra Mountains separates. On the Slovak side, the Little pienins the Pieninsky Narodny Park.
background
history
The park was designated as early as 1932. It is one of the oldest transnational national parks in the world. Today there are two national parks, one Polish and one Slovak.
landscape
The national park is 23.46 km².
Flora and fauna
It houses mixed forests on karst soil, in which the eagle owl, wall creeper, blue owl, pygmy owl, three-toed woodpecker, black woodpecker, black stork and otter live, as well as many species of insects. Butterflies in particular are well represented, some species of which are only found here worldwide. Fire salamanders are also common. The symbol of the national park is its highest peak, the Three crowns.
climate
The weather in the national park is quite warm due to the relatively low altitudes - the Beskydy Mountains to the north and the Tatras to the south are significantly higher - and the strong sunshine.
getting there
Buses go from Krakow to Krościenko nad Dunajcemwhere the administrative headquarters of the national park are located. You can also access the national park from Czorsztyn or Szczawnica explore. The raft trips through the Dunajec-Breakthrough start in Sromowce Wyżne or Sromowce Niżne and end either in Szczawnica or Krościenko nad Dunajcem. Buses then bring the tourists back to Sromowce.
Fees / permits
There is no fee to enter the national park. Entrance to designated parts of the park, the Czorsztyn castle ruins, the viewing platforms on the Falkenberg and the three crowns, are chargeable from April 20th to October 31st of the year.
Day tickets cost in the chargeable parts:
- Normal: 6 zloty (approx EUR 1.30)
- Reduced: 3 zloty (approx. EUR 0.65)
Entry is free for:
- Children under 7 years
- People who are present for research purposes
- Schoolchildren and students who visit the park for didactic reasons
- Residents of the municipalities in the national park
- People attending religious places of worship in the park
- People who are part of an extended family
Pay reduced admission
- pupils and students
- pensioner
- Disabled person
- Soldiers on active duty
mobility
You can hike and climb in the park along the hiking trails. The mountains can be climbed without any climbing knowledge. The rock faces, on the other hand, require good climbing skills.
Tourist Attractions
- The main attractions of the park are the viewing platforms on the Falkenberg and the Dreikronen as well as the castle ruins Pienin Castle and the Czorsztyn Castle. The numerous rock formations in Dunajec breakthrough are particularly worth seeing.
activities
The national park is ideal for hiking and climbing. The raft trips through the Dunajec Gorge are also very popular. You can also paddle through the Dunajec breakthrough in a kayak - preferably with an experienced kayak guide - or cross it comfortably by bike or on foot. Part of the hiking and cycling route runs through Slovak territory. In Sromowce there is a bridge to Slovakia and at Szczawnica you can take a raft ferry back to the northern side of the river. The Riverside path is about 12km long. For a circular hike over the Hawk path you should plan a whole day:
- of Szczawnica to Orlica hut
- Crossing (ferry service from May to October) and on the falcon path Sokola Perć to the Bajków Groń (Fairytale Comb)
- then the ridge path in a loop over the ruins of the Pienin Castle and the Three-crown summit to the Szopka Pass
- there on the yellow marked path to "Trzy Korony" hut and Sromowce Niżne descend
- over the bridge to the Slovak side of the river
- and on the riverside path back to Szczawnica
shop
At the entrances to the NP and the mountain huts you can buy souvenirs, maps, postcards and small snacks.
accommodation
There are three mountain huts in the park and on its edges Polish Alpine Club (Three-crown hut, Orlica hut and Durbaszka hut) and numerous small hotels, guest houses, guest rooms and hostels in all the surrounding villages. You can also spend the night on campsites.
security
Rock falls pose the greatest risk in the park. If you want to climb, you should pay attention to adequate protection. If you want to climb the viewing platforms, you shouldn't be afraid of heights. The ridge path is also partially exposed. Anyone kayaking should definitely wear a helmet. Rapids and rocks occur everywhere in the breakthrough.
literature
See article too Poland.
Web links
- http://www.pieninypn.pl/ - Official website of the national park
- https://beskiden.travel.blog/ - a hike from Zakopane to Prešov, describes the Pieninese stages
