In short: Trzy Korony (the Three Crowns) is the best-known massif in the Pieniny. Its highest summit, Okrąglica, is 982 m above sea level and rises about 530 metres above the Dunajec. At the top there is a viewing platform that holds about 30 people at a time. From above you see the Dunajec Gorge, Lake Czorsztyn and the Tatras.
The last metal steps, a railing under your hand, and suddenly the whole world lies beneath you. The Dunajec winds below like a silver ribbon, the rafts look like matchsticks, and to the south, above green ridges, the Tatras gleam white. On the Trzy Korony platform people usually fall silent for a few seconds. Then everyone reaches for their phones.
A few facts about Trzy Korony
- the massif consists of several limestone crags, the highest being Okrąglica, 982 m above sea level,
- the summit rises about 530 metres above the bed of the Dunajec,
- the viewing platform holds about 30 people at a time, so in season you sometimes have to wait your turn,
- the massif lies in Pieniny National Park.
Where to start the trail
Several marked trails lead to Trzy Korony, including from Krościenko on the Dunajec and from Sromowce Niżne. The routes meet near the Szopka Pass, from where it is not far to the summit. The trails are well marked but steep in places, and the final part goes up steps and rock.
Before setting off, check the current rules, fees and any trail closures on the Pieniny National Park website.
How to prepare
- Shoes with a good sole. Limestone rocks are slippery, especially after rain.
- Water and a snack. There are no shops on the trail.
- An early start. In the morning there are fewer people on the platform, and the air is often clearer.
- Afraid of heights? The platform is protected by railings, but its position is impressive. It is worth knowing this before you set off, especially with children.
Trzy Korony and rafting on the Dunajec in one day
Many of our guests like this combination. In the morning you climb Trzy Korony and look at the gorge from above, and in the afternoon you float through it on a raft and see the same rocks from water level. You will find the details of the trip in the article Rafting on the Dunajec: by raft through the Pieniny.
Back to Białka
In the evening you return to Białka Tatrzańska. Tired legs will appreciate Terma Bania or the quiet of the garden at Willa pod Smrekiem. If you are planning an active week in the Pieniny and the Tatras, write to us. We will gladly help you make a plan.
Sources of information and photos
We checked the facts, figures and opening hours in the sources below. Prices, timetables and admission rules can change, so please check the organisers’ websites before you travel.
- Trzy Korony, Wikipedia
- Pieniny, Wikipedia
- Pieniny National Park
- Pieniński Przełom Dunajca, Wikipedia
Photos (main image and illustrations in the text), used under the licences specified by their authors:
- Trzy Korony in the Pieniny: Photo: Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0, source: Wikimedia Commons
- The Pieniny Gorge of the Dunajec: Photo: Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0, source: Wikimedia Commons
- Timber rafts on the Dunajec in the Pieniny: Photo: Zalasem1, CC BY 4.0, source: Wikimedia Commons
