Pieniny National Park
TIME : 2016/2/22 13:47:52
Pieniny National Park
Visitors come to the park for its mountains and massifs - the most famous peak being Tri koruny (Three Crowns), standing high at 982 meters above sea level. It is possible to climb to its summit and take in the view from an observation deck, but the most popular way to admire the scenery of the Pieniny National Park is to navigate through the picturesque limestone ravine known as the Dunajec River Gorge. This is one of the most scenic canyons in Europe, with cliffs often as high as 300 meters. The rafting trips, which have been organized in the park since the first half of the 19th century, last two to three hours. Hikers and cyclists will also find interesting trails, totaling 34 kilometers. The fauna and flora is to be seen - around 6500 animal species have been proven to live in the Pieniny, but it is believed that up to 15,000 species actually live in it, along with the hundreds of plant species who thrive in the park thanks to its waterways, including 640 kinds of mushrooms. Even though Pieniński Park Narodowy is small in size at 23.46 km2, making it the smallest in Poland, it is the most visited national park in the country. Practical Info
Pieniny National Park is located in the heart of the Pieniny Mountains in the southernmost part of Poland, on the border with Slovakia. It can be reached by car from Krakow in two hours via routes A4, E77, and DK47. Entry to the park is free, however, some areas and attractions do carry an entrance fee, notably: the Czorsztyn Castle is 5 złoty, observatory at the Three Crowns and Sokolica peaks are both 5 złoty, and the water trail is 4 złoty. Visitors should also factor in the price of the excursion, which varies depending on the destination.
