Szczawnica is situated in the picturesque valley of the Grajcarek, which is one of the tributaries of the River Dunajec. The valley separates the Male Pieniny Ridge from the Beskid Sadecki Mountain Range. The resort itself lies at 500 meters above the see level. The unique situation of the valley is the source of its mild microclimate created by forested hills, plentiful sunshine, little precipitation, and the fresh and unpolluted air.

What is more, Szczawnica is set in the picturesque landscape of the Pieniny National Park and the Dunajec Gorge. To the north, there is the Radziejowa Massif (984 m) and to the south, the Male Pieniny Range with the peaks of Rabsztyn (847 m) and Wysoka (1052 m). The valley opens towards the Pieniny Range with the famous peaks of Sokolica [the Falcon Mountain] (747 m) and Trzy Korony [the Three Crowns] (982m). All this makes Szczawnica one of the most attractive mountain resorts in Poland.

Szczawnica town - night >>>

Szczawnica - town sammer >>>

The ride down the Dunajec river on a traditional raft that offers an unusual opportunity to see wild nature, unchanged for thousands of years, is one of Europe's biggest tourist attractions. It is also the best way to explore the Pieniny National Park.
The raft ride tradition dates back to mid 19th century. The Dunajec river has cut in the limestone hills of the Pieniny mountains a romantic valley called the Dunajec River Gorge. We raft down a deep and winding canyon on wooden rafts- constructions built from narrow boats held together with ropes. The Dunajec winds and froths among steep slopes. The views around us are spectacular and change very quickly. During the trip, the local oarsmen vividly present information about the Pieniny mountains and tell local tales e.g. the legend of Janosik.
The season starts in May and finishes in October. The rafts set out from the Sromowce-Katy marina. It takes from 2 to 3 hours, depending on the water level, to go over the seven loops. One raft takes 12 adults (plus two oarsmen). The destination marina is located in Szczawnica Nizna.

Pontoon rides down the Dunajec river
Pontoon rides cover the route from Sromowce Wyzne to Szczawnica. They are offered to both advanced rafters and beginners. Children can also participate in the pontoon rides.
The coolness of the water, mountain air, the beauty of the Pieniny landscape will make you forget about the stress of everyday life..


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Canoeing down the Dunajec


Pontoon rides cover the route from Sromowce Wyzne to Szczawnica. They are offered to both advanced rafters and beginners. Children can also participate in the pontoon rides.
The coolness of the water, mountain air, the beauty of the Pieniny landscape will make you forget about the stress of everyday life.


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1) The Bukowniki ski lift in the village of Jaworki - two single T-bar lifts. One of them 520 meters in length (elevation difference of 102 meters), another 250 meters long (with a 40-m elevation difference) - two artificially lit ski runs.
2) The Pod Durbaszka ski lift in the village of Jaworki - a 550-m long T-bar lift (with a 112-m elevation difference) next to a mountain hostel with a cafeteria.
3) A 783-m long chairlift on Mount Palenica (with a 260-m elevation difference).
- the Palenica ski run with snow-making facilities (1000 meters in length with an elevation difference of 250 meters) - FIS and PZN-approved.
- the Palenica II ski run (1800 meters in length with an elevation difference of 270 meters) - it runs from the top of Mount Szafranowka down to the foot of Mount Palenica where it joins the Palenica run.
- The Szafranowka slope - two 350-m long parallel T-bar lifts (elevation difference of 75 meters) on an easy run with snow-making facilities.
4) A full-sized Halfpipe for snowboarders with its own ski lift on Mount Palenica.

Due to its specific geological conditions, the spa of Szczawnica offers unique mineral waters. Some of the most popular ones include:

"Stefan" - recommended for respiratory system disorders, but unsuitable for gastric hyperacidity,
"Magdalena" - recommended for constipation and bile duct disorders,
"Jan" - recommended for respiratory system disorders and gastric hyperacidity,
"Szymon" - recommended for convalescents suffering from anemia,
"Wanda" - recommended for podagra and allergies,
"Helena" - recommended for gastric and duodenal ulcer disease.

Major hiking trails:

- Mount Palenica - 50 minutes - Mount Jarmuta - 1 hour 30 minutes - the Homole ravine - 1 hour 50 minutes (including the drive) - Bryjarka - 1 hour - Beresnik - 1 hour 15 minutes - Dzwonkowka - 2 hours 30 minutes - Prehyba - 4 hours - Cerveny Klaator (the Slovak village of "Red Monastery") - 2 hours 30 minutes (you need your passport to cross the border with Slovakia) - Mount Sokolica (The Falcon Mountain) - Mount Trzy Korony (Three Crowns) - the Szopczanski ravine - 5 hours Rafting on the River Dunajec (from May 1 to October 31) - visit: www.flisacy.com.pl - 6 cycling routes (total length: approximately 100 kilometers)

- rides in horse-drawn carriages and sleighs - various outings and tours - horse riding - hippotherapy The horses are stationed at: - IMUZ (research center) in the village of Jaworki Contact: PHUP "Mount-Tour" 11 Glowna Street - GOPR (Mountain Rescue Service), tel. 262 26 80

Sports equipment rental:

Bicycles: 1) ul. Szalaya 5a, 2) ul. Szalaya 54, 3) ul. Szalaya 56, 4) ul. Jaworki 18, 5) ul. Pieninska 3a (parking w Pieninach), 6) ul. Pieninska 6, 7) ul. Pieninska 13, 8) ul. Nad Grajcarkiem 51, 9) ul. Gron 3, 10) ul. Glówna 24, 11) ul. Glówna 28, 12) ul. Ogrodowa 18 a,

Kayaks: 1) ul. Zyblikiewicza w Pieninach (przewóz miedzybrzegowy "Kacze"), Skis: 1) ul. Szalaya 56, 2) Palenica, 3) ul. Jaworki - Bukowinki, 4) ul. Jaworki 18

Sports facilities:

1) Tennis court in Park Gorny Street;
2) Tennis court at 75b Szlachtowska Street (in Pod Jarmuta Recreation Center);
3) Tennis court in Glowna Street (near the PKS bus terminal);
4) Kayak rental shop on the River Dunajec;
5) Walking path in the larch wood in Park Gorny Street - 1 kilometer in length;
6) Skatepark - a playground for children with facilities for skateboarding and roller-skating at the bottom station of the Palenica chairlift;
7) Indoor swimming pool (8 x 18 meters) in Budowlani sanitarium;
8) Basketball court in Park Gorny Street;
9) Football (soccer) pitch (50 x 92 meters) at 75b Szlachtowska Street (in Pod Jarmuta Recreation Center);
10) Beach volleyball court in Glowna Street (near the PKS bus terminal);
11) 6 marked mountain trails for hikers
12) 5 marked cycling routes
13) 11 marked horse riding trails

Border crossings

Tourist border crossing in Szczawnica-Lesnica (with Slovakia).
Opened in October 1996, it may be used by hikers, cyclists, skiers and persons on wheelchairs that run on ecological fuel. It is located at the end of the rafting trip on the River Dunajec.

It allows a walker or a skier to admire the Slovak Pieniny mountain range and the Dunajec Gorge from the road leading to the village of Cerveny Klaštor in Slovakia.

In July of 1999 three new border crossings were opened:
- Jaworki - Litmanova (at border indicating post No. II/71)
- Jaworki - Stránany (at border indicating post No. II/76)
- Szlachtowa - Velký Lipnik (at border indicating post No. II/83)