The trip takes place in the Pieniny and the Tatra Mountains. These two massifs have very different lie and characteristics. In the Pieniny Mountains we are far from the noise and everyday stress. The mountains are gentle, with grassy peaks, offering impressive views and surrounded by deep, wild forests. With a bit of luck we can even find animals on our way, especially in the National Park of the Tatra Mountains.This region has strong folklore and highland traditions. The wooden architecture has a magical charm. Our trip is a great opportunity to see the most interesting cultural attractions in the area like Krakow, Zakopane, the castle of Niedzica and Debno wooden church.
Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival to Krakow
Arrival to Krakow and sightseeing on your own. Krakow was never destroyed in the past. Its Old Town, added to UNESCO’s list of World Cultural Heritage Sites in 1978, is of an exceptional architectural value. Night in a hotel in the centre -/-/-
Day 2. Jaworki and the shepherds from the Little Pieniny Mountains.
In the morning, you get to Szczawnica by local bus. Szczawnica is the main resort of the massif of the Pieniny Mountains. Private transfer to Jaworki, a charming, small village in the valley of the Pieniny Mountains with a very developed shepherd’s life and a very beautiful Orthodox church. Circular walk in the Little Pieniny Range. From the ridge, you have a marvelous view of the Polish and Slovakian side, with the high peaks of the Tatra Mountains in the background. Walk along the ridge through the mountain pastures where sheep are pastured – they give milk for the production of the famous local cheese. A few possibilities to
go down. B/LP/D
Walking time: 4-5 hrs; Ascent 500m-600m/ Descent 500m-600m, 13-16km
Note: for the great jazz concerts in Jaworki you have to be there on Friday or Saturday evening in June and September and on Thursday to Saturday in July and August.
Day 3. Across the Pieniny Mountains
In the morning you take the local bus to the beginning of the trail near the village of Szczawnica. Your trip will start with crossing the river Dunajec by barge, because of the lack of a bridge. You enter thus to the National Park of the Pieniny Mountains, famous for its characteristic limestone lie, eroded with the passage of time. You have to be prepared for steep climbing up to Sokolica (747m), from where you will have a splendid view downhill at the gorges of Dunajec. Your trip continues through the main ridge of the Pieniny Mountains till the highest peak 3 Crowns. Descending to Kroscienko and return by bus to Jaworki for overnight. B/LP/D
We have 3 options for ascent and descent here.
a) Descent to Krościenko and return by local bus to Jaworki (there should also be time to see Szczawnica SPA resort).
15,5 km, Ascent: 900m. Descent: 900m, 5-6 h
b) Descent to Sromowce Niżne for optionally floating down the river Dunajec (2h15 min on the river)
15 km, Ascent: 900m. Descent: 900m, 5- 6 h
c) Extended hiking and descent to Sromowce Wyżne for optionally floating down the river Dunajec (3h on the river)
21 km, Ascent: 1100m. Descent: 1100m, 6,5-7,5 h
Day 4. Departure for Zakopane. Visiting Niedzica Castle and Debno (UNESCO).
After breakfast, a private taxi will take you to Zakopane. On the way, we will stop to visit the castle of Niedzica, built by the Hungarians in the 14th century. It is magnificently situated by the lake. Later on, we will visit a church in Debno, one of the most beautiful wooden churches in Poland, famous for its polychromes. You will have reached Zakopane by the end of this morning. Zakopane is a little like a Polish Chamonix; a resort very dynamic all year, with a splendid mountain frame and undeniable charm of wooden architecture. After a meal, you can have a walk around the town: a wooden church, a promenade with the stalls and rambling vendors. B/-/D
Transfer: about 2-2,5 hours plus 1,5 hours for visits
OPTIONALLY:
1. A short hike in the Pieniny of Spis on the way to Zakopane is possible. It offers a hilly, idyllic landscape, an agricultural landscape with people working in fields, and great views of the Tatras.
2. E-bike in the Pieniny of Spis.
Day 5-7. Trips of choice in the Tatra Mountains
For these three days you have a choice of the following walks :
a) 1 trail at the balcony of Tatras
We offer a hike on the balcony of the Tatras. The route leads through forest, mountain meadows, and small peaks. Peaks and meadows offer spectacular views of the High Tatras. There are also shepherds with sheep in the mountain halls.
Route: Kiełbasówki-Polana Kopieniec-Kopieniec-Psia Trawka-Gęsia Szyja-Polana Waksmudzka-Polana Rusinowa-Sanctuary of St. Mary Queen of The Tatras-road to Zakopane (bus stop).
14 km, Ascent: 750m. Descent: 800m, 5-6 h
b) 3 trails in the Western Tatras:
- Chocholowska Valley. Hike through the longest valley in Western Tatras (half distance can be traveled by bike or valley-train/bus) with climb to the peaks of Grzes and Rakon.
17,5 km, Ascent: 1000m. Descent: 1000m, 6,5-8 hrs of walking (calculated from Polana Huciska, + 3,5 km one way for the distance which can be covered by bike or bus)
- Koscieliska Valley. One of the most popular trails in the Polish Tatras, the most beautiful valley in the Western Tatras, with some caves to visit. Possible extensions as described in roadbook
Basic variant: 11 km, Ascent: 350m. Descent: 350m, 3 h
Extensions: Smreczyski pond, 13,5 km, +/-500 m of denivelation in total; Iwaniacka Col and Chocholowska Valley, 15,5 km, +/- 650 m
These options don't include potential visits to the caves
- Kasprowy Wierch and Czerwone Wierchy with cable car to the peak of Kasprowy Wierch and hike with main ridge along the Red Peaks (Czerwone Wierchy).
13 km, Ascent: 650m. Descent: 1700m, 5,5-6,5 h
c) 3/4 trails in High Tatras:
- Grand passage through the High Tatras, including Zawrat pass with spectacular views over the Tatras, Gąsienicowa Valley with Black Pond and Five Lakes Valleys, the most beautiful valley in the Polish Tatras, and Siklawa Waterfall. That passage without a doubt belongs to the most beautiful trails in Poland.
20 km, Ascent: 1350m. Descent:1450m, 7,5-9 h
- Similar trail, but instead Zawrat Pass trail leads through Krzyżne Pass, option without technically difficulties (chains and ladders) but descent is more difficult than from Zawrat pass. Great views from the pass (even better than from Zawrat), but without seeing the beautiful Black Pond.
21 km, Ascent: 1500m. Descent: 1550m, 7,5-9 h
- Exploring Gasienicowa Valley without passage to Five Lakes Valley
15 km, Ascent: 1000m. Descent:1000m, 5,5-7 h
- Climbing Rysy, the highest peak in Poland. Very demanding trip. Technically, difficulties are similar to those in Zawrat Pass, but the distance is longer. 12 km from this distance (6 km 1 way) is a hike on an asphalt road, a horse carriage can be used (upon availability)
25 km, Ascent: 1900m. Descent: 1900m, 11-13 h
Day 8. Departure
Return by a public bus to Krakow and flight back home. B/-/-
We recommend trip in the period: June - October
Practical information: It is possible to realize this program from 1st May to 30th October. Still the trails in the Tatra Mountains can be covered with snow until 15th June. The trails in West Tatra valleys and peaks, even covered with snow, are not very difficult. The trail in the High Tatra Mountains is not recommended before 15th June for people not used to walking in the snow.
Necessary equipment: sturdy walking boots and walking socks, a small rucksack, a water bottle with at least 1 litre capacity, sunglasses, sunhat, sun cream, rainwear, insect repellent.
accommodation standard hotels (double occupancy) and pensions with breakfast in rooms with private facilities
public bus from Krakow-Szczawnica on Day 2 and from Zakopane to Krakow on Day 8
750 €, 8 Days
Verified