The Pieniny Mountains are one of Poland and Slovakia's best-kept secrets — a compact limestone range where dramatic rock formations rise above a turquoise river and the scenery packs an outsized punch for such modest heights. If you've ever wanted to raft through a stunning river gorge with the Tatras glittering on the horizon, this is your place.

The landscape here is wonderfully varied. Sheer white limestone cliffs plunge straight into the Dunajec River, while gentler slopes are cloaked in lower montane forest and sun-drenched meadows. The Dunajec Gorge — carved by the river right through the heart of the range — is the region's showpiece, best experienced from a traditional wooden raft guided by local highlanders in folk costume. From the higher ridges, the views stretch across the Gorce and Beskid ranges with the sharp peaks of the High Tatras floating above them all.

• Trzy Korony / Three Crowns (982 m) — the iconic limestone triple summit and symbol of the Pieniny National Park; the panorama from the top is breathtaking.
• Wysokie Skałki (1050 m) — the highest point in the entire Pieniny range, located in the Małe Pieniny (Small Pieniny) section.
• Dunajec Gorge Rafting — a classic must-do; traditional raft trips run from Sromowce Niżne to Szczawnica or Krościenko.
• Haligowce Rocks — wild limestone crags on the Slovak side, perfect for a quieter half-day walk.

• Best time: May–June and September–October — fewer crowds, wildflowers or golden autumn colours.
• Base towns: Szczawnica, Krościenko nad Dunajcem, Sromowce Niżne.
• Trail difficulty: Mostly easy to moderate — great for families; the ascent to Trzy Korony is short but steep in places.
• Getting there: By car via Nowy Targ or Nowy Sącz; minibuses run from Kraków and Nowy Targ; nearest train stations are Nowy Sącz and Nowy Targ.

Look out for the Apollo butterfly — a rare, endemic species that flutters among the limestone rocks of the Pieniny National Park and is one of the largest day-flying butterflies in Europe.