Prielom Dunajca
The Prielom Dunajca National Nature Reserve is a territory carved into the limestone massif by the Dunajec River. The Slovak side of the canyon belongs to Zone A of the Pieninský národný park (PIENAP) with the strictest level of nature and landscape protection. You can find it on the Slovak-Polish border, in the beautiful village of Červený Kláštor. A tourist educational trail with 10 stops runs along the bank of the Dunajec River. This easy hike will enchant you with its stunning natural scenery. Come and enjoy the views of the symbol of the Pieniny region, the Tri Koruny mountain.
In the canyon, which is approximately 9 km long, you will find rock walls whose height reaches up to 300 meters in some places. During a half-day trip, you have the opportunity to admire the rich fauna and flora. Among the rarest plants growing here are the Pieniny rockcress (Arabis pieninica), Pieniny chrysanthemum, Pieniny wallflower, and Pieniny dandelion. If you are lucky, you will also see representatives of mountain fauna, such as the Eurasian eagle-owl, Alpine shrew, Eurasian lynx, Eurasian otter, or the majestic lesser spotted eagle.
There are also several romantic corners in the gorge associated with folk legends. Perhaps the most famous place is Jánošíkov skok. It is a rock at the narrowest point of the Dunajec, where the water reaches a depth of up to 12 meters. On your wanderings, you will also come across the Skalné veže siedmich mníchov rock towers and the legend-shrouded Ostrá skala, from which disobedient subjects were allegedly thrown into the turbulent waters of the Dunajec in ancient times. At the end of the gorge, the karst spring "Storočná voda" gushes forth, which never freezes. Legend has it that whoever drinks from it will live to be a hundred years old. Do you dare to take a sip too?
The educational trail ends at the state border with Poland, in the village of Lesnica. Definitely do not leave without experiencing the Splav Dunajca raft ride. If you like adrenaline, you can conquer the Dunajec on rafts. The village of Červený Kláštor is also famous for the Kláštor kartuziánov monastery, made famous by the mythical monk Cyprián.
Book your summer vacation in Pieniny and visit the newly built, modern Kúpele Smerdžonka spa. It is entirely up to you whether you prefer cozy cottages and traditional wooden houses or take advantage of the services of local guesthouses. You can find a complete offer of accommodation near Prielom Dunajca on our pages accommodation in Červený Kláštor and accommodation in Lesnica.
