Pieniny National Park (Poland)

The Pieniny National Park (Polish Pieniny Park Narodowy ) is a Polish national park in the Pieniny Mountains, in the southeastern part of the Lesser Poland at the Polish- Slovak border, south of Hałuszowa and northeast of the High Tatras. Block limestone creates picturesque, almost vertical white walls along the Dunajec River, which crosses through the mountains in an up to 500 m deep canyon. The most famous mountain Trzy Korony ( Three Crowns ) has a height of 982 m and the highest peak of Pieniny, the Wysoka in the Małe Pieniny rises up to 1050 m. A characteristic feature of the landscape of these mountains are the bare rock walls, the isolated rock.

Wildlife

It is likely that there 13000-15000 species of animals, ie half of the Polish fauna. There also the new species were discovered (especially moths and insects) that are only found here. Well represented here is the southern European fauna. Among the rarities are the eagle owl, the Wall runners, Merle, pygmy owl, three-toed woodpecker, the black woodpecker and the black stork. The largest predator, the lynx. On the banks of the Dunajec otters.

Culture and Tourism

In the 13th century, was built in the Pieniny castle within the present national parks, the highest castle in Poland ( 779 m). Two other castles were built on both sides of the Dunajec along the leading ways, Czorsztyn and Niedzica that are considered most captivating castles in Poland.

The main attraction of the park is a raft ride on the Dunajec, one of the biggest tourist attractions in Central Europe. Given its location, the park has many vantage points from which you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the neighboring mountain ranges. Particularly impressive are the views of the High Tatra, Gorce and Magura.