The first day is dedicated to one of Poland’s most iconic hikes: Trzy Korony (the “Three Crowns”) in the beautiful Pieniny National Park. This 6-7 km trail is a fantastic moderate challenge, with a steady elevation gain that will get your heart pumping, especially on the steeper sections. The trail starts at Schronisko PTTK Trzy Korony.

For most of the journey, the forest trails are wide and manageable, making them great even for those who are a bit wary of heights.

The platform

To reach the summit, you climb a series of steep metal stairs onto a small, enclosed viewing platform. It can feel a bit crowded, but the experience is unforgettable.

The real adventure begins at the very peak. After paying the small park fee (around 10 PLN) for platform access, you are rewarded with an absolutely breathtaking panoramic view.

The views

The landscape unfolds dramatically, revealing the winding Dunajec River below and, most magically, a series of rolling hills with sharp peaks that looks like perfect green pyramids. It’s an aesthetic and stunning view that is worth every single step.

Kasprowy Wierch peak and views

At an elevation of 1,987 meters, the peak of Kasprowy Wierch offers an educational and engaging experience for both adults and children. The summit provides stunning, panoramic views of countless mountain trails connecting one peak to another.

Kasprowy Wierch peak experiences

Once at the top, you can take a small, free chair-lift ride. This includes a complimentary audio guide that plays during the round trip, sharing information about the valley below, the beautiful surrounding lakes, the mountain climate, and the local fauna and flora, while enjoying the breathtaking views.

Please note that you cannot get off the chair-lift at the bottom; you must remain seated for the entire two-way journey.

This works perfectly with your itinerary, as you only have a one-way ticket up Kasprowy Wierch.

Kasprowy Wierch hiking trail

The hike starts at the top of Kasprowy Wierch, near the chair-lift. If you want to get views from higher ground before you begin, there are a couple of short detour hikes toward the nearby peaks of Świnica and Dolina Pięciu Stawów Polskich (in the direction of Rysy).

While there are longer ridge hikes available toward Krzesanica, this itinerary follows the trail down through Dolina Zielona Gąsienicowa to see its beautiful lakes and mountain views. The path has some steep sections after the valley, but the descent is not overly difficult.

The trail itself is approximately 11 km long. Expect the total distance to be around 13 km, including the final walk back to your car.

Dolina Zielona Gąsienicowa

The hike winds through the beautiful Dolina Zielona Gąsienicowa, leading you past a series of large and small lakes, each with its own unique charm. Along the trail, you will encounter a picturesque spring with a small waterfall.

Key highlights include the charming Zielony Staw Gąsienicowy (Green Caterpillar Pond) and the large, dramatic Czarny Staw Gąsienicowy (Black Caterpillar Pond), as well as several smaller lakes and ponds on your way through the valley.

Dolina Gąsienicowa to Polana Jaworzynka

The final section of the hike begins at Dolina Gąsienicowa. This part is the steepest of the entire trail, featuring a series of challenging paths with large rocks and some exposed slopes. After navigating this section, the trail transitions to the beautiful, peaceful, and flat path of Polana Jaworzynka, which leads you to the end.