Winter in Kluszkowce
Winter holidays in the mountains? Yes!!!
In Czorsztyn and its surroundings, located between the Pieniny and Gorce Mountains, there is a wide variety of attractions for both amateurs of active and more peaceful leisure activities with friends or family.
Cruise on Czorsztynskie Lake
The ship "HARNAŚ" is a floating café, from the deck of which you can admire the surrounding monuments of both architecture and nature, such as: the Dunajec castle in Niedzica, the castle in Czorsztyn, the dam in Niedzica, the open-air museum on the Stylchen peninsula, the Green Rocks, the Pieniny National Park and many others. In the upper part and at the bow of the ship there are sun decks where you can enjoy sunbathing during your cruise. In the middle of the ship there is a glassed-in café, where you can have a coffee, cold beer or something sweet to eat while listening to pleasant music. The ship's dock is located in Niedzica Castle at the foot of the castle.
Cruises: every full hour (with a minimum of 15 people)
Time: 50 min.
Dates: from May to October
Prices: adults: 28 PLN, children (from 4 to 15 years): 24 PLN
Photo: jezioroczorsztynskie.com
Bike
Lovers of two wheels who like to spend their time actively will also find something for themselves. There is a new, almost 40-kilometre long bicycle route on Lake Czorsztyńskie. Its natural location, surrounding attractions, the standard of the new cycling routes and the amount of work carried out around them make the new route the third in the Małopolska region, after the Tatra Mountains Trail and Velo Dunajec, among the most interesting cycling routes in Europe. The route, officially called "Around Lake Czorsztyńskie", has been given the more practical nickname "Velo Czorsztyn" by cyclists. f someone does not own a bicycle and would like to use the route, they can rent a bicycle from nearby bicycle rental shops.
Water
LAKE CZORSZTYŃSKIE
This lake is an artificial reservoir on the Dunajec River, which was created by building an earth dam. The purpose of the reservoir - in addition to its natural and landscape significance - is the flood protection of the Dunajec valley, by collecting excess water flowing down the river during floods. In order to take care of the fauna living here, an artificial Bird Island was created, where birds nest. The extremely rare black storks living near the power plant are proof of the friendly co-existence of man and nature. It is also gaining popularity as an attractive place for water recreation with the possibility of: bathing, sailing, fishing and diving. An important function of the Czorsztyn Reservoir is the production of electricity by a power plant. Nowadays, gondola cruises on the lake are very popular. On the lake there is a dam - the highest in Poland (56 m). An attraction on the dam itself is a 3D spatial painting - "The Power of Elements". The whole work is 34 metres long and depicts a collapsed structure flooded by waterfalls, with turbines and human silhouettes exposed in the depths, seen from a distance of 50 metres.
THE DUNAJEC RIVER
The Dunajec Gorge is most often rafted down the river. Those who want to experience a real adventure on the rapid river of the Dunajec will certainly be interested in rafting. This is rafting, where participants take an active approach, taking paddles in hand and struggling with the force of the water. People with no experience can take part in rafting. An instructor, who is in every raft, is responsible for their safety. The Dunajec river in the Pieniny part belongs to the II class, i.e. it is characterised by medium difficulty. Rafting on pontoons is not only an opportunity to try one's strength in the struggle with nature, but also a chance to have fun. The rafting trip starts in Sromowce Niżne. Both organized groups and individuals can take part in it. Everyone receives life jackets, helmets, paddles (short oars) and rescue darts. The end of the route is at the rafting marina in Szczawnica. You can read about the details here.
TERMY
An additional attraction for visitors to the nearby area are thermal springs. Thermal baths are not only swimming in the pool, but above all, a complex way of rest and relaxation: thermal baths, a visit to the sauna, rest on the lounger, classic massages or hydromassages. This is not only a physical regeneration, but also a spiritual one, as the use of thermal waters has a positive influence on your well-being: it improves mental comfort, reduces stress by stabilising the nervous system, cures the circulatory system, regulates the hormonal economy, improves metabolism, helps with headaches and joint aches, helps with rehabilitation after illnesses, and even eliminates insomnia. The thermal baths are an excellent alternative for skiers or mountain hikers visiting the surrounding area. There are three centres offering entertainment for the whole family.
Airspace
It is obvious that Pieniny is a great place for everyone to relax. Healthy air and microclimate will make you return not only relaxed and full of strength from your holiday, but also with a better mood. The air itself is something that should attract visitors to our area. We will try to show you that the air here not only has the function of oxygenating our organism, but can also be the main asset of a stay in our region.
ROPE PARKS
This is one of the unique attractions worth using here to spend your time actively. A rope park is a set of suspended obstacles between trees where you can experience an exciting outdoor adventure testing your physical and mental abilities. While travelling between the trees you develop endurance, agility, balance and flexibility. This active leisure activity is aimed at everyone with a thirst for excitement. Both young and old will find something for themselves from among the many attractions offered by the Rope Parks, giving them incredible satisfaction from their stay.
TANDEM JUMPS
It is a generally accessible form of recreation, where a qualified instructor jumps with a passenger on a two-person parachute from a height of 4000 m. After a short instruction you board the plane and first enjoy the scenic flight, then jump out of the plane and into freefall. The heart beats faster, the blood starts circulating more rapidly in your veins, the rush of air is unparalleled, the world below you is seen from a different perspective, the magnificent views, the incredible silence... And finally there is the soft landing on the ground. Parachute jumping is a sport which provides strong sensations and causes adrenaline to rise. It is a very interesting way to spend your free time, with the possibility of making your dreams come true. Jumping takes place from the airport in Nowy Targ.
Mountains
LAND OF THE SLEEPING VOLCANO - WDŻAR MOUNTAIN
Land of the Sleeping Volcano is located on the slopes of the Wdżar mountain (about 3 km) and rises to a height of 767 m above sea level. This mountain is a dormant volcano, which ceased its activity many millions of years ago. Curiosity is aroused by the past of the mountain. Since 1870 there was an andesite quarry here, now closed, it is a wonderful place to admire the unique geological structure of Mount Wdżar. A local negative magnetic anomaly can be observed on one of the rocks on the ridge of Wdżar, as well as on the top of the mountain. A compass needle applied to the rock points here north to south. These anomalies were caused by a lightning strike.
The Wdżar mountain in Kluszkowce is currently one of the best developing ski and recreation centres in Małopolska, which in winter attracts amateurs of "white craziness", while in summer it attracts tourists, paragliders and enthusiasts of active leisure. You can get to the top by a chairlift, where there is a viewing platform overlooking four National Parks (Pieniński, Gorczański, Tatrzański and Babiogórski), Lake Czorsztyńskie, the Tatras and the entire Nowotarska Valley.
In winter, the mountain becomes the property of skiers and snowboarders, and the Czorsztyn-Ski ski station invites you to the slopes. Due to the specific microclimate, there are ideal conditions for snowmaking here, which allows the trails to be maintained from November to April. Kluszkowce start the ski season as one of the first in Małopolska and finish it as the last.
Ski trails of varied length and difficulty will satisfy both beginners - including children - and advanced skiers and snowboarders. Snow grooming and a system of certified nets ensure comfort and safety for skiers.
There is a professional service for skiers, a ski and snowboard equipment rental and a ski school. Czorsztyn-Ski also invites you to the cross-country skiing trails.
The Land of the Sleeping Volcano will satisfy both supporters of peaceful, family leisure as well as amateurs of stronger sensations. For the latter, awaits the twisted "Alpine Coaster" slide with a length of 900 m, which can speed up to 40 km / h. Impressions from the "ride" remain long in the memory.
The slopes of the Wdżar mountain provide excellent conditions for parachute jumping and mountain biking. In the area of the station a downhill bike trail was created - one of the most popular and difficult in Poland, at the same time the bike trial tracks are being developed.
PAPAL Gorge
The Pope's Gorge in Kluszkowce is a unique and the only such place in Poland dedicated to the memory of the Greatest of Poles. On 9 July 1978, Cardinal Wojtyła celebrated Holy Mass on a glade in front of the entrance to the gorge during the Oasis Days of Recollection of the Light-Life Movement. On the 33rd anniversary of this event, on 21 August, at noon, a solemn Eucharist was celebrated at the field altar in the grotto at the entrance to the ravine, during which priests consecrated the educational and natural papal paths.
The route of the path goes through the excavation of the former quarry, starting from the place called "The Pope's Altar" and ending on the top of the Wdżar mountain. There are 14 stopping boards on the route, on which the natural-historical information is placed together with photographs. The entire path can be covered in about 30 minutes.
HOMOLE Gorge
In the village of Jaworki, at the foot of Wysoka there is one of the biggest natural attractions of the area - Homole Gorge. It is a deep, over 800 m long gorge with steep walls made of multi-coloured limestone.
This place fascinated people already in the Middle Ages. Jan Długosz reports that gold was prospected here. The height and steepness of the massive rock walls make the gorge very impressive. The picturesqueness is enhanced by the Kamionka stream flowing along its bottom. The whole area is covered with coniferous and mixed forest. However, from almost every point you can see vast meadows located above the gorge.
The name Homole comes from gomoła, gomółki which means round and refers to huge boulders closing the southern end of the gorge.
The area of the gorge is protected as a reserve. The only way to get there is along the marked green hiking trail.
Castles
Niedzica Castle
Niedzica Castle is located atop a limestone hill on the shore of Czorsztyn Lake, southern Poland. The medieval fortress was built by a Hungarian colonizer, Kokos from Brezovica.Inside, you will find a museum of regional history as well as a well-furnished torture chamber. The castle also offers a restaurant, a basement cafe and accommodation. The viewing terrace enables you to enjoy magnificent panoramic views of Czorsztyn Lake, the picturesque ruins of Czorsztyn Castle as well as the Pieniny and Gorce Mountains. According to a popular legend, at the end of the 18th century the Incas, fleeing from the Spanish persecution, resided in the Niedzica Castle and its surroundings and hid part of their treasure on the castle's premises.
You can explore the legend and look for the lost treasure of the Incas in the depths of the Niedzica Castle
The ruins of Czorsztyn Castle
Tradition has it that during the Mongol onslaught in the thirteenth century, the Polish king Bolesław the Chaste and his wife Saint Kinga took refuge at the wood - earthy watchtower which stood on a high rocky hill near the Dunajec River. At the turn of the thirteenth and fourteenth century, a free-standing round tower was built on the sight. Soon afterwards, probably at the time of Casimir the Great, the hilltop was surrounded with a more than 2 metres thick stone wall. At that time the castle was a royal property and ,because of its border location, belonged to a series of castles guarding along the southern border of Poland. Several times in its existence, the castle was damaged by invasions and sieges. In 1655, during the Swedish invasion, King John Casimir took refuge in the castle and left the Crown jewels on its premises. Later, only renovation work was carried out on the castle. At beginning of the 18th century he Czorsztyn Castle fell into the ruin. In 1918, the castle was bought by the Drohojewscys family. Since the end of the 19th century, conservation work has been carried out on the castle. The castle is open to the public.