Pieniny National Park

Pieniny National Park is a protected area in northern Slovakia featuring limestone cliffs and dense forests along the Dunajec River, which forms a natural border with Poland. The park covers approximately 3,750 hectares of protected land, with a dramatic river gorge as its central feature.

The area gained protection status in 1932 when the Dunajec River gorge and surrounding forests became Slovakia's first nature reserve. This early recognition of the landscape's value marked a turning point for conservation in the region.

Wooden raft trips through the Dunajec River gorge remain the main way visitors experience the park's landscape and rock formations. This traditional method of travel shapes how people connect with the place.

The park administration center at Cerveny Klastor provides maps, information, and permits for visitors. Conditions for visiting depend on weather and water levels, especially if you plan to take a raft trip down the river.

The park is home to over 1,100 plant species, including 18 different types of orchids thriving in the gorge. The Dunajec River also supports 17 fish species, making the water itself an ecological hotspot.

Location: District of Kežmarok

GPS coordinates: 49.38783,20.47673

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:57