Hotels near Pieniński Park Narodowy

Poland's oldest national park, established on 23 May 1932, lies 74 km south-east of Krakow and takes about 2 hours to drive. FlixBus runs direct from the Krakow MDA bus station to Krościenko nad Dunajcem Rynek in 2 h 11 min. Minibus operators A-Langowski, Szwagropol and DIDI TRANS cover the same route in similar time, and A-Langowski posts nine or more weekday departures. Pieniński Park Narodowy charges no general admission. The only walking fee covers the summit platforms of Trzy Korony and Sokolica at 10 zł (about 2.30 EUR) full price and 5 zł (1.15 EUR) reduced, collected from 1 April to 15 November.

Okrąglica, highest of the Trzy Korony crowns at 982 m, carries a metal viewing platform above the Dunajec gorge, with the Tatras and the Slovak Spisz region laid out beyond. The loop from Sromowce Niżne through Wąwóz Szopczański runs 6.2 km with 790 m of ascent and takes roughly 3 h 20 min. Wooden raft trips through the gorge are the park's other draw and are ticketed separately.

Pro Tip: One platform ticket is valid the same day at both Trzy Korony and Sokolica, so climb one before lunch and the other after rather than paying 10 zł twice.