Tour Poland: Pieniny And Tatra Mountains Walk

Meals

7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 1 restaurant or pension lunch, 4 dinners - breakfasts are generally buffet style and usually consist of breads, jams, meats, cheeses, coffee, tea and juices. Picnic lunches will generally consist of salad or sandwiches, something sweet, fruit and water. Dinner will consist of 3 courses which is generally soup followed by a main meal and dessert.

Others

Roadbook and maps Public bus from Krakow to Szczawnica day 2 and from Zakopane to Krakow day 7

Accommodation

5 nights in pensions on a twin or triple share basis with shared facilities, 2 nights 3 star hotel on a twinshare basis with private facilities

Transport

private transfer on day 2 and day 4

Not included:

Guide

Guide is not included.

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Flights

International flights are not included.

Optional

Other activities and services not included.

Others

Travel to and from Krakow Meals not listed as included, drinks Travel insurance - mandatory Guide – this is a self-guided walking holiday A supplement will apply if you book a single room Entrance fees not listed as included Transfers not listed as included Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage Items of a personal nature Daypack, wet weather gear, good walking boots / shoes, water bottle and sun protection. A comprehensive gear list is included in the pre-departure information provided on booking.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Arrive Krakow
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Arrive Krakow

On arrival in Krakow make your way to your hotel in the centre either by taxi or by tramway. Krakow has been well preserved and its old town is UNESCO’s listed since 1978. It is a pleasure to discover this historic centre on foot or to relax in the main square, surrounded by impressive architecture and a thriving cultural scene.
Day 2 Day 2: Transfer To Jaworki In The Little Pieniny Mountain Range, Optional Walk (4-5Hrs)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Transfer To Jaworki In The Little Pieniny Mountain Range, Optional Walk (4-5Hrs)

In the morning you take a local bus to Szczawnica (approx 2.5hrs, 9am-11.20am), the main resort in the Pieniny Mountains. You will be met and transferred to Jaworki*, a charming, small village in the valley of the Pieniny Mountains with a very developed shepherd’s life and beautiful orthodox church. After dropping your bags at your pension, take a 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 mountain pastures where sheep are pastured. Their milk is used in the production of the famous local cheese. Return to your pension. *Overnight Jaworki (or nearby Szczawnica if Jaworki is fully booked). Depending on chosen variant: +500-600m/ -500-600m, 13-16 km, 4-5 hrs of walking Note: for great jazz concerts in Jaworki you should schedule your trip to be there on a Friday or Saturday evening in June and September or a Thursday to Saturday in July and August.
Day 3 Day 3: Cross The Pieniny National Park With Views To The Gorges Of Dunajec (6Hrs)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Cross The Pieniny National Park With Views To The Gorges Of Dunajec (6Hrs)

After breakfast, you take a local bus to Szczawnica. The walk begins by crossing the river Dunajec by barge, because of the lack of a bridge. You enter the National Park of the Pieniny Mountains, the oldest polish national park. The park is famous for its characteristic limestone, eroded with the passage of time. This park stretches to the Slovakia border. The climb is steep up to Sokolica (747m), but the views from the top of the gorges of Dunajec are worth the effort. The walk continues along the main ridge of the Pieniny Mountains to the highest peak of national park, which is called Three Crowns because of its characteristic shape. Descend to Kroscienko. From here you have three options. Either (a) return by local bus to Jaworki via the Szczawnica SPA resort or (b) descend directly to Sromowce Nizne and take a rafting trip down the Dunajec River to Szczawnica SPA resort (3hrs). The final descent option includes an extended route down to Sromowce Nizne with the option to raft to Szczawnica. The raft trip is well worth it, taking in a different perspective of the gorges and the dramatic landscape of the river along the Polish-Slovakian border. All options continue to Jaworki by local bus. Overnight Jaworki (or Szczawnica if Jaworki is fully booked). Depending on descent option, 15, 15.5 or 21km, +900, +900 or 1100m / -900, -900 or 1100m, 6 or 7.5hrs of walking.
Day 4 Day 4: Transfer To Zakopane In The Tatra Mountains
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Transfer To Zakopane In The Tatra Mountains

After breakfast a private taxi will take you to Zakopane (2-2.5hrs plus 1.5hrs to visit castle and Debno). On the way, there will be a break to visit the castle of Niedzica, built by the Hungarians in the 14th century. It is magnificently situated by the lake. Later on, visit a church in Debno, one of the most beautiful wooden churches in Poland, famous for its polychromes. You arrive in Zakopane around midday. Zakopane is a little bit like a Polish Chamonix; with wonderful mountain views and an undeniable charm with typical wooden architecture. After lunch, take a walk round the town to visit the wooden church and the promenade with the stalls and rambling vendors. OPTION: Short hike in the Pieniny of Spis on the way to Zakopane is possible. It offers a idyllic rural scenery of rolling hills with people working in the fields and great views of the Tatras. Alternatively, take an e-bike trip in the Pieniny of Spis. These options will involve additional costs for the driver to wait for you.
Day 5 Day 5: Explore The Trails Of The Tatra National Park (5-7Hrs)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Explore The Trails Of The Tatra National Park (5-7Hrs)

The Tatra are the highest range in the Carpathians. There are many trails to explore and summits to ascend. We provide in our route book day walks of varying degrees of difficultly including 1 balcony trail, 3 trails in the Western Tatra and 3 trails in the High Tatra. It is also possible to extend your trip to do more of the walks. *Balcony Trail - 14km, +750m, -800m, 5-6hrs walking Options in the western Tatra include:- *Chocholowska Valley and Rakon mountain (17.5km, 6.5-8hrs +1000m/ -1000m) *Caves of Koscieliska Valley (11km, 3hrs, +350m/-350m) *Kasprowy Wierch (Peak) and the Western Tatras (13km, 6.5hrs, +650m/-1700m) - cable car is used on this walk. High Tatra - a more alpine style walk to the col of Zawrat (2159m) (20km, 8-9hrs / +1350m / -1450m) Gasienicowa Valley - an easier option in the High Tatra Five Lakes Valley - also an easier option of the High Tatra without the Zawrat Pass
Day 6 Day 6: Trails Of Tatra National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Trails Of Tatra National Park

Another day to discover and explore the trails of this beautiful National Park before heading to Krakow the following day.
Day 7 Day 7: Bus To Krakow, Free Day To Visit The City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Bus To Krakow, Free Day To Visit The City

This morning return to Krakow by local bus (2hrs 10min). There are so many great sights to visit in Krakow including the Wawel Castle Hill, the Jagiellonian University, old synagogue, national museum and Town Hall Tower. We also recommend taking a boat trip on the Visula River.
Day 8 Day 8: Trip Concludes
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Trip Concludes

Trip concludes after breakfast.

8 days tour

Poland: Pieniny And Tatra Mountains Walk

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Poland: Pieniny And Tatra Mountains Walk

Day 1: Arrive Krakow

Day 2: Transfer To Jaworki In The Little Pieniny Mountain Range, Optional Walk (4-5Hrs)

Day 3: Cross The Pieniny National Park With Views To The Gorges Of Dunajec (6Hrs)

Day 4: Transfer To Zakopane In The Tatra Mountains

Day 5: Explore The Trails Of The Tatra National Park (5-7Hrs)

Day 6: Trails Of Tatra National Park

Day 7: Bus To Krakow, Free Day To Visit The City

Day 8: Trip Concludes

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