Near the Tatra Mountains and the Podhale region lies the smaller yet equally charming Pieniny Mountains, a favorite destination for tourists, especially for Dunajec River rafting. Here, the river winds its way through towering limestone cliffs that rise about 300 meters (nearly 1,000 feet) above the water, creating breathtaking views.
The trip isn’t just about nature—it’s also a cultural experience. Tourists ride on traditional wooden rafts steered by flisacy, local Highlanders who have been guiding visitors down the Dunajec since the 19th century. These skilled raftsmen, all members of a historic association, come from just five villages: Czorsztyn, Krościenko, Sromowce Niżne, Sromowce Wyżne, and Szczawnica. Using long wooden poles, they expertly navigate the river while entertaining passengers with fascinating stories, jokes, and local legends in their distinctive dialect.
Dunajec River rafting is a unique and unforgettable adventure—a must-see experience when visiting Poland!
But rafting is not the only attraction of Pieniny. The Dunajec river has always been the natural border between different countries, lands, and regions. Nowadays, it divides Poland and Slovakia, but this was not always so. Since medieval times, Poland’s neighbor to the south was the Kingdom of Hungary. Here in Pieniny, on both river banks, are located two castles: one in Czorsztyn ? on the historic Polish side, but today only the ruins remaine. From the historic Hungary bank (presently in Poland as well) there is Niedzica Castle. It was erected between the years 1320 and 1326 by Kokos of Brezovica. Due to its location on the hill over the artificial lake (created in 1997 on the Dunajec river) it is known as one of the most picturesque castles in all of Poland. The castle has a long, beautiful history with many mysteries and riddles hidden in the castle walls. One of them is a story of an Inca princess married to Sebastian Berzevicy, one of Niedizca’s owners, in the 18th century. Testaments of the family have mentioned some lost treasures of the Incas hidden in the castle and some ?Quipu? writings have also been found in the castle. The notion that an Inca treasure map could be hidden somewhere in the depths of the castle is still cherished today.
