Palenica (722 m a.s.l.) is one of the most accessible and rewarding summits in the Little Pieniny range. Whether you ride the chairlift from Szczawnica or hike up on your own two feet, what awaits at the top is a lively mountain hub with sweeping views and a welcoming hut.

From the summit you can enjoy a broad panorama stretching across the rocky ridges of the Pieniny and the forested hills of the Beskid Sądecki range. The mountain is built from limestone, and its slopes — once open pastures grazed for centuries — were reforested by local residents after World War II, giving the hillsides a dense, green character today. In autumn the beeches turn golden, in winter the ski runs come alive, and in summer the chairlift brings a constant stream of visitors making it one of the busiest mountain destinations near Szczawnica.

• Szczawnica — yellow trail, approx. 1 h 20 min up, 50 min down, easy to moderate
• Szczawnica — chairlift operated by Polskie Koleje Linowe, suitable for all visitors (check current timetable)

• The 'Groń' mountain hut and several catering facilities operate at the summit — a good place to stop for a meal.
• Palenica Ski Station on the slopes offers two runs; the red run 'Palenica 1' is considered one of the more interesting ski slopes in Poland.
• A cart slide (gravity luge) is available at the summit — popular with families and children.
• The chairlift makes the summit accessible to visitors with limited mobility.
• Marked trails continue deeper into the Little Pieniny, including a route to Homole Gorge via Szafranówka (approx. 4 h 20 min) and a path to the Pieniny Road (approx. 1 h 10 min).

Keep an eye out for the bird's-nest orchid growing on Palenica — a rare species in Poland and a quiet reminder of the open alpine meadows that once defined this summit.