Czerteż (774 m a.s.l.) is the highest peak of the Pieninek ridge — a compact but surprisingly wild summit that rewards hikers with sheer cliffs, ancient pines and sweeping Pieniny panoramas. Its southern face drops nearly 170 metres in a dramatic vertical wall, making it one of the most striking spots in the entire Pieniny range.

From the summit you get a classic Pieniny view: Sokolica rising straight ahead, the impressive Three Crowns Massif to one side, and the silver ribbon of the Dunajec River Gorge winding far below. The southern cliffs host relic Scots pines — over a century old yet only 5–8 metres tall — clinging to the rock in a scene that feels almost otherworldly, especially in early morning mist or autumn light.

• From Szczawnica — blue trail (Sokola Perć / Falcon Path), crossing the Dunajec by ferry at Nowy Przewóz, then via Sokolica and Czertezik to Czerteż and onward to Bajków Groń — demanding route with metal railings securing the most exposed sections of the ridge.
• From Krościenko — green trail to Burzana Pass (724 m), then a comfortable forest path traversing the northern slopes to the saddle below Czertezik — easy variant that bypasses the rocky ridge entirely.

• Czerteż lies within Pieniny National Park — an entry fee applies.
• The most exposed sections of the Sokola Perć ridge are secured with metal railings, but hikers uncomfortable with heights should take the green bypass trail.
• The Dunajec ferry crossing at Nowy Przewóz is a paid service and operates seasonally — check current timetables before planning your route from Szczawnica.

The name Czerteż comes from the Lemko language, where czerteż means a forest clearing made by felling — a quiet reminder that these slopes were once shaped by the hands of mountain settlers long since gone.