Pieniny Road (Szczawnica – Červený Kláštor)

The Pieniny Road (Polish: Droga Pienińska, say "DRO-gah pyeh-NEEN-skah") is a car-free path carved into the cliffs of the Dunajec River gorge, linking the Polish spa town of Szczawnica with the village of Červený Kláštor in Slovakia. Nearly flat and open year-round, it is one of the most scenic easy walks and bike rides in Central Europe — limestone walls on one side, the river and drifting wooden rafts on the other. It is a top choice for families and anyone who wants the gorge views without a mountain climb.

Where it is and how to get there

The road starts in Szczawnica, in the Pieniny Mountains on the Polish–Slovak border, about 2–2.5 hours by car from Kraków and its international airport. Buses also run from Kraków to Szczawnica. Parking is available in the town center and by the lower station of the Palenica chairlift, a short walk from the start where the Grajcarek stream meets the Dunajec.

A road built with Polish money on Hungarian soil

The first section, from Szczawnica to the Lesnica stream, was built in 1870–1875 by Józef Szalay, owner of the Szczawnica spa. After his death the Academy of Learning in Kraków completed it. Remarkably, the whole road — including the stretch then in the Kingdom of Hungary, now Slovakia — was paid for with Polish funds. Builders had to cut into rock and raise high stone embankments in the narrow gorge. There used to be a tourist border crossing; today, within the Schengen Area, you simply walk across.

The route

The red-marked trail to Červený Kláštor is about 9.7 km (6 miles) one way and takes roughly 3 hours 10 minutes on foot; the border is about 35 minutes from Szczawnica. Highlights include:

• the raft landing in Szczawnica, where Dunajec rafting trips end,
• the Kotuńka rock in the river and views of Sokolica,
• Biała Skała (White Rock) with small caves,
• the free Pieniny National Park pavilion exhibition,
• on the Slovak side, the Lesnica gorge, the rock formations Sama Jedna and Seven Monks, and the Huta meadow,
• Červený Kláštor, a former medieval monastery village facing Trzy Korony.

Walking, cycling and strollers

The surface is wide and smooth with little elevation gain, so it works for strollers and bikes. To the Lesnica stream the bike lane is separated from walkers; beyond it, everyone shares the road and cyclists can be fast. Bikes can be rented in Szczawnica, including by the Palenica chairlift. Slovakia uses the euro, Poland the złoty (PLN).

Best time and winter 2026/27 (as of October 2026)

The finest views come in early spring and late autumn, when bare trees reveal the river. Rafts run from April to October; summer is busiest. The road is free and open all year, but it is not cleared of snow in winter and can be icy. Local media reported planned repairs between the park pavilion and the border; in September 2026 the park listed no closures — check its trail bulletin before you go.

Nearby

Pair the walk with Dunajec rafting, hike Sokolica or Trzy Korony, ride the Palenica chairlift, or explore the Homole Gorge in Jaworki.