Szczawnica in the Pieninski National Park
 Szczawnica is a small quiet town close in the Pieninski National Park.
Visitors from Poland and Slovakia come to walk, cycle and climb. There is a dedicated flattish car-free cycle/foot path along the Dunajec river that is suitable for all ages.
Bicycles can be hired from a building facing the car park. There was a 50% discount on cycle hire when we visited in May for people using the car park. They offer a variety of bikes including ones with trailers for carrying small children.
There are public toilets in the car park, souvenir shops, fast food eateries and a restaurant, plus several other pubs in other parts of the town, also the inevitable horse and cart rides for tourists.
The cycle/footpath along the Dunajec crosses the Polish border into Slovakia; do bring your passport if you would enjoy a lengthy walk, to visit perhaps the Red Monastery - 2 hour fifteen minutes walk.
Part of the way along before the Polish border you will find:
- Boat hire for trips to Kroscienko
- Canoe hire
- Pieninski Park Visitor Centre with toilets
Do look out for wooden rafts steered by Gorale on the river Dunajec, rainbow trout swimming in the river, unusual butterflies, caves, a shrine high up in the cliff face.
Map showing the route of the River Dunajec. The Red Monastery or Czerwony Klasztor is at the bottom left.
For walkers, the best times to visit Poland for walking holidays are mid May and mid September. The summer months can get very warm. The temperature was in the high 20s when we visited in mid May.
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