The project ‘The support of small and medium-sized enterprises which operate in tourism and increasing the recognisability of Lesser Poland as a tourist economic brand’ (no RPMP.03.03.01-12-0593/18) cofunded by the European Union as a part of the Regional Operational Programme of Lesser Poland for the years 2014 – 2020.
The Foundation for the Development of Regions www.f-rr.org
The Association of Polish Spa Communities www.sgurp.pl
Art Manager: Konrad Rogoziński
Text: Maria Kościelniak
Translation: Ewelina Natanek-Rogozińska
Realization: Digital Places Multimedia Publishing www.digitalplaces.pl
Kraszewskiego 1/406
33-380 Krynica-Zdrój
Proofreading: Agata Kościelniak
Design: Klaudia Stochmal, Nina Kieblesz
Typesetting: Klaudia Stochmal, Nina Kieblesz
Photographies: © Konrad Rogoziński / DigitalPlaces.pl
Apart from:
Front Cover, p 4 and 5; © Wiktor Baron
P 2 and 3; © Łukasz Świętach
P 8 photos no 1, 2, 3; © Port Pienin
P 9 photo no 3; © Freepik.com
Szczawnica is a well-known town on the tourist and spa map of Poland. It lies in the south of Poland, in the Dunajec and the Grajcarek Valley. It is surrounded by the Pieniny and the Beskid Sądecki. Mountains, mineral waters, pure air, delicious cuisine and numerous attractions make it a really desirable tourist spot.
Tourists visit the place to admire magnificent views and hike picturesque mountain trails which vary in difficulty. They choose the place to reach Trzy Korony (Three Crowns, 982 m), Sokolica (747 m), Wysoka (1,050 m) or walk the
Homole Canyon. They are also tempted by Highlander traditions, famous redyki (trailing of sheep), regional cheeses and Highlander cuisine. They want to participate in a variety of cultural events, get to know the culture of Lemkos and the history of the spa. Beautiful, wooden villas are also one of the reasons why people flock to Szczawnica. Finally, they choose the place to see the gorge of the Dunajec River – some from traditional rafts and thrill-seekers from dinghies or canoes. This section of the Dunajec creates a lot of possibilities.
The gorge of the Dunajec in the Pieniny is one of the most beautiful river gorges in Poland. It is 8 km long and runs through Pieniny National Park. It is just a fraction of the entire length of the river which is 247 km long – it starts in the Tatras and connects with the Vistula in the north of Lesser Poland. The Pieniny gorge is the most beautiful 8 km out of 247km. Limestone rocks, which are even 300 m high, and mild slopes covered with various plants rise over the Dunajec. Flisacy (Raftsmen) have been floating on the Dunajec with their rafts for ages. Initially, they used their rafts to transport goods, today, they use them to show tourists, for whom rafting is the biggest attraction, around. The Dunajec is also a great river for amateurs of kayaks and dinghies.
Port Pienin (the Port of the Pieniny) is a local company which organises rafting with kayaks or dinghies through the Dunajec River Gorge in the Pieniny. Rafting is one of the biggest attractions of Szczawnica Commune – it is the reason why so many tourists choose the place every year. During rafting, participants admire the landscape
of the Pieniny from water, admire animate and inanimate nature. Rafting can also be combined with cycling or hiking in the mountains. Rafting routes lead through the most panoramic regions of the Pieniny for instance from Sromowce Niżne to Szczawnica. The company organises training and has a bike rental.
If you choose rafting with dinghies through the gorge of the Dunajec, this attraction will leave you with extraordinary impressions and you will explore this river in detail. The route starts in Sromowce and finishes in Szczawnica – it is 15.5 km long and lasts approximately 2 hours. It is an ideal attraction for families, school groups or a great idea for a business retreat. Dinghies are designed for 2 to 12 people. On special request, an instructor can be present during rafting. Every passenger receives certified equipment i.e. a helmet, a life jacket and waterproof containers. On cold days they also get foam and a cape.
One can get to a place where rafting starts by special bus, on foot, taking advantage of a dedicated trip or by bike (for example with the use of a rented one).
The mountain tops of the Pieniny can be also admired from a kayak. It is a perfect form of entertainment for those who enjoy adrenaline rush and are not afraid of high waves. You can experience a real adventure in the surroundings of the magical landscape of the Pieniny. Kayaks are both for experienced people and beginners. Families with children may also try them out. Port Pienin offers polyethylene kayaks suitable for more experienced ones and pneumatic kayaks for those who have never tried this activity before. There are 1- or 2-person kayaks. Port Pienin gathers well-qualified instructors who supervise the whole rafting adventure.
Rafting can be combined with a hiking or a cycling trip. You can get to the starting point by bus as well.
Port Pienin offers kayak training provided by Polaczyk siblings who have done this sport since their childhood and can boast of numerous medals brought from international events including olympiads. A passionate trainer is the best one a person can have. Customers can choose from single training sessions of mountain kayaking or
3-day courses during which a trainee participates in 3 raftings. Kayaking training in Port Pienin is a huge dose of knowledge combined with practice. Participants can explore the techniques of kayaking along easy mountain rivers and get to know basic rules of safety.
Port Pienin offers a rental of MTB, trekking bikes, bikes for children, bicycle carts and saddles for children. We will get there a map with cycling trails which will lead us to the most interesting places of the region – the Red Monastery (Slovakia), Niedzica, Szafranówka, the Homole Canyon, Biała Woda Reserve, Wysokie Skałki Reserve or Czorsztyn.
Port Pienin offers vehicles for rent ideal for off-road i.e. driving on beautiful, unpaved surfaces full of obstacles. The offer is aimed at almost everybody who seeks new experiences and thrills – the ones who have already tried this attraction or beginners who want to begin their adventure with 4x4 driving. The offer is also directed at families with children.
The company has 2- and 4-person cars. Each ride is preceded by short training and getting to know the rules of driving a maverick. Then, participants go on a tour which abounds in beautiful, mountain views supervised by an instructor.
