Thread: Dunajec River Raft Cruise

On a vacation in Zacopane Poland a few years back we went on an unusual but beautiful river trip on a raft.

The nearly three hours' raft trip down the meandering Dunajec River is a perfect opportunity for admiring the picturesque scenery of the Pieniny Mountains, the limestone rock formations and the towering cliffs on both sides of the river banks.

It is from the rafts that one can enjoy the magnificent view of the Trzy Korony (Three Crowns) and Sokolica Mountain – the highest peaks in the Pieninski National Park. The rafts are made of several wooden boats fastened together.

The guides are flisacy (the Dunajec rafts men) dressed in their traditional clothes, which adds to the charm of this unusual rafting experience. They know the Dunajec River like the back of their hand; thus, they know which route to take on this swift, at times, river current. The ride is fascinating not only thanks to the picturesque scenery all around but to the legends and stories the rafts men make tourists familiar with. It has been a long time ago so I cannot remember the viewpoints we passed.

The rafts set off from the raft wharf in Sromowce-Katy, from where tourists can choose from two raft routes. The shorter one goes to Szczawnica, whereas the longer one reaches Kroscienko. The former one lasts 2 h 15 minutes (18 km), whereas the latter one lasts 2 h 45 minutes (23 km).!

We were on the longer trip, as the shorter one started in Slovakia and finished in Slovakia. Which most of the way Poland was on the left hand bank of the river and Slovakia n the right. At the end of the cruise the boats were put on lorries and driven back to the start of the cruise, our coach was waiting for us.

Come with me and see the pictures of this lovely cruise, I’m sure you will enjoy it

When you come to Europe many treasures are inland, just as we have found in the USA, having been to or passed through thirty of your States.

Our cruise down the Dunajec River continues.

As we proceed down the Dunajec River notice how the currents are changing and each raft has a rafts man at the front and the rear to control the raft.

The Dunajec River notice how the raft men are having to fight the currents to propel the rafts down the river safely.

Our cruise down the Dunajec River comes to a close and the experience was fantastic.

Poland we have visited twice, and it is so beautiful. If you wish to see more of this lovely Country please request don’t wish to bore you with my photos and be off topic.

What a wonderful experience you had, Norman!
We never made it to Poland...only Hungary and Yugoslavia before the latter was broken up.