Prešov · Slovakia

Pieniny

Limestone mountains on the border with Poland, cut by the Dunajec River: wooden raft descent, the gorge trail and the Červený Kláštor monastery.

The Tatras and Eastern Slovakia

In the photo: The Dunajec Gorge in the Pieniny.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The Pieniny are a small chain of limestone mountains on the border between Slovakia and Poland, north of the High Tatras. The Dunajec River cuts through the range in a gorge of about 9 km, the Prielom Dunajca, with tight bends between rock cliffs and forests. On the Slovak side, the area forms Pieniny National Park, created in 1967, the country’s smallest; together with the park on the Polish side, it was one of Europe’s first cross-border protected areas, already in the 1930s.

The village of Červený Kláštor is the gateway. There is the monastery that gave the village its name, founded in the 14th century by Carthusian monks and now a museum. Wooden rafts leave from the riverbank and descend the gorge to Lesnica, a traditional ride that has existed for more than a century.

Those who prefer to hike or cycle follow the trail that runs along the river on the Slovak bank to Lesnica. A foot-and-bike bridge links Červený Kláštor to the Polish village of Sromowce Niżne on the other side of the Dunajec, opening access to Polish Pieniny trails, such as the Three Crowns route.

The Zamagurie region, where Červený Kláštor lies, preserves traditions of the gorals, the highland people of the border, with their own music, costumes and cuisine.

This destination brings together 1 city: Červený Kláštor.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Pieniny is

Boundaries: geoBoundaries (dados do OpenStreetMap, licença ODbL). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Pieniny

✈ Letisko Poprad-Tatry (TAT), in Poprad · 61 km to Červený Kláštor

Červený Kláštor is in the north of the Prešov region, about 60 km from Poprad via the road that passes Kežmarok and Spišská Stará Ves. The nearest train station and airport are in Poprad. Buses connect the village with Kežmarok and Spišská Stará Ves.

Prešov · Pieniny

Červený Kláštor

Small village on the banks of the Dunajec River, on the border with Poland, within the Zamagurie region. The name, which means “red monastery,” comes from the 14th-century Carthusian monastery, now a museum. It is the embarkation point for the wooden rafts that descend the Dunajec gorge and the start of the trail that follows the river to Lesnica. A footbridge links the village to Sromowce Niżne in Poland.

The local experience

Things to do in Pieniny

Červený Kláštor · Prešov · Monastery

Červený Kláštor Monastery

Monastery founded in 1319 by Carthusian monks on the banks of the Dunajec, later occupied by Camaldolese. Today it is a museum, with the history of the monks and Brother Cyprian.

Červený Kláštor · Prešov · Boat trip

Dunajec Rafting

Traditional descent of the Dunajec gorge on wooden rafts piloted by raftmen, from Červený Kláštor to Lesnica, covering about 9 km between the Pieniny cliffs.

Červený Kláštor · Prešov · Trail

Dunajec Gorge (Prielom Dunajca)

Flat trail along the Slovak bank of the Dunajec gorge, from Červený Kláštor to Lesnica, open to pedestrians and cyclists, with panels about the Pieniny’s nature.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From spring until the end of October, when the rafts descend the Dunajec; the season usually runs from April or May through October. July and August are the busiest months. September and October have fewer people and colorful forests. In winter there are special descents on a few dates.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

One day is enough for the raft ride, the return along the riverbank and a visit to the monastery. With two days, you can cross the bridge and do a trail in the Polish Pieniny.

Which city to stay in

Červený Kláštor has guesthouses, chalets and camping on the banks of the Dunajec, near the raft embarkation. People who combine the Pieniny with the High Tatras often sleep in Kežmarok or Poprad and come for a day. Lesnica, at the end of the descent, has a few guesthouses.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Pieniny

How does the Dunajec descent on wooden rafts work?

The rafts depart from Červený Kláštor and descend the Dunajec gorge to Lesnica, a stretch of about 9 km, guided by raftsmen. The return is on foot, by bicycle or by bus.

When is the season for the rafts on the Dunajec?

The season usually begins in spring and ends at the end of October; departures depend on water level and weather.

Do you need a car to get to the Pieniny?

It helps, because buses are infrequent. By car, the trip from Poprad takes just over an hour.

Can you go from Slovakia to the Polish Pieniny on foot?

Yes. A foot-and-bike bridge links Červený Kláštor to Sromowce Niżne on the Polish side, from where trails lead to the Three Crowns.

Can you do a day trip from the High Tatras to the Pieniny?

Yes. From Poprad or the High Tatras area, Červený Kláštor is about an hour by car, and one day is enough for the raft and the monastery.

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Pieniny

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.