Pieniny National Park

Introducing Pieniny National Park

The main reason people come to the tiny, 21-sq-km Pieniny National Park (Pieninský národný park; Pienap), is for a chance to float on a raft through Dunajec gorge. The park was created in 1967, in combination with a similar park near Szczawnica in Poland to protect the 9km gorge near the village of Červený Kláštor and its eponymous monastery. A bit further downstream, Lesnica is the terminus for rafting trips in Slovakia. Past 500m-tall cliffs, the gentle waters of the Dunajec carry tourists in a pltě (shallow, flat-bottomed wood rafts), complete with a pole-wielding, costumed guide.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009