The Pieniny Mountains are a rugged mountain range northeast of the High Tatras in the Polish-Slovakian border area and are located 120 km from Cracow. You will discover the region by riding over extensive meadows and through beech and pine forests. There are also 167 species of plants and mountain flowers, which can best be admired in June. There are also 250 animal species and 150 bird species. The meadows at higher altitudes are known for their abundance of butterflies, of which the beautiful Apollo is the most popular species and is only found in this region. The wide grassy plateaus are the result of long agricultural work, as there is a lot of sheep breeding. Here you have many opportunities for brisk gallops! Wild animals live in peace with the farm animals. The area also produces the famous traditional Oscypek cheese - you will certainly have the opportunity to try it! During your rides in the region you will pass by many beautiful villages with wooden buildings, whose people still maintain a rich folk culture and many Polish traditions. Look forward to untouched nature, brisk gallops and good Polish food!

In winter the region turns into a snow paradise and offers great activities such as alpine skiing, horse riding through snow flurries and sleigh rides.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Krakow and transfer to the horse farm - in the heart of the Pieniny Mountains (about 2 hours drive from Krakow). On the way you will stop in the small village of Szczawnica. It is picturesquely situated on the Grajcarek River, between the Raziejowa peak and the small Pieniny Mountains and is known in Poland as a health resort. There you will visit the mineral water bar where you can try six different types of mineral water. If you like, you can go for a walk and admire some original buildings of the spa and the village (some of them date back to the beginning of the 19th century, some of them have been renovated). It is also possible to visit Dowrek Goscinny - today a magnificently designed art and cultural centre. There are two beautiful parks in Szczawnica - the Lower Park, which was designed as a botanical garden, and the Upper Park, which is decorated with various sculptures. After a nice walk through the two parks, you can relax with a cup of tea or coffee on the terrace before continuing on to the riding school. There you will meet your guide and the horses and enjoy your first dinner.

Day 2: After breakfast you will set off on your first three-hour ride. You will ride up the hills of the Small Pieniny Mountains and get to a more open terrain with a beautiful view of the Tatra Mountains and the surrounding hills. You will ride along the border line with Slovakia, across beautiful mountain meadows where local mountain people let sheep graze. You will also have the opportunity to see the Three Crowns (982m high) and the Sokolica Mountains (747m high). For lunch you will return to the horse farm. In the afternoon (April to October) you will start for a 2-3 hour rafting tour on the Dunajec River on traditional wooden rafts steered by raftsmen in traditional costumes. You will be taken by bus for about 30 minutes to your rafting adventure. The gorges of Pieniny belong to the most beautiful river canyons in Europe. The water channel impresses by its course, which winds through mountain slopes. On your arrival back at the farm a delicious dinner is already waiting for you. From November to March, instead of rafting, you have free time for hiking or skiing.

Day 3: After breakfast you will go on horseback into the beautiful landscape. You will go on a three-hour ride and move towards the Przechyba Mountains. On the way you will follow beautiful forests - among others the Carpathian beech forest with the red beech and the white fir. If the weather remains good, you will stop for a picnic on the way, otherwise you will ride back to the farm at noon. In the afternoon you will have time for your free time. A recommendation is the stone gorge Homole. The stone walls and rocky peaks of the white and red limestone reach up to a height of 120 m. The canyon is very worth seeing and well known. The path crosses the river several times and you reach the top over various metal bridges and seemingly endless stairs. As soon as you reach the top, a wonderful view of the region and the grazing sheep in the distance awaits you. You can walk back to the village or take the chairlift.

Day 4: After breakfast you will saddle the horses and head towards the Wysoka Mountains (1050 m) - the highest peak of the Pieniny Mountains. The peak is made of red limestone and is not accessible on horseback, but you can enjoy the view of the region and the rocks of Homole. Today you will spend about 3 hours in the saddle. Today you will have your lunch again in form of a picnic or in case of bad weather in the guesthouse. In the afternoon you have time for free disposal. In summer you can ride a bike or in winter you can ski. An alternative at any time of the year is a visit to the Niedzica Castle, which is considered one of the most beautiful castles in Poland. The castle is very well preserved and was built between 1320 and 1326 - according to the legends a great gold treasure was buried nearby. Nowadays there is also a museum in the castle and from the top you have a beautiful view of the Czorsztyn Lake and the ruins of the Czorsztyn Castle, which is located on the other side of the lake.

Day 5: Enjoy breakfast before you ride towards the village of Piwniczna (today´s riding time is about 3 hours). You will follow the Grajcarek River and gallop across fields and meadows. Again and again you will catch views of the Pieniny Mountains and the Tatra Mountains. After some time you will reach the Pokrywisko Mountains, where once was a village, but was abandoned by Operation Vistula. You will stop in a small restaurant on the Obidza mountain and enjoy your lunch with a beautiful view of the surroundings (in winter, depending on the amount of snow, the lunch break will take place in another place). Arrived back at the riding stable, you will have time for your free disposal. You can relax or go to the village - concerts are always held there. It is a special concert hall with a unique atmosphere and original interior. Every year Polish and international artists come together here to present their skills. In case there is no concert, there are nice corners to have a coffee.

Day 6: Today you will spend 5-6 hours in the saddle. You will cross the border to Slovakia and ride through forests and open spaces with the perfect landscape for magnificent views of the Tatra Mountains. Today you will have the opportunity for long gallops before returning to the farm and saying goodbye to your horses. At your last dinner you can review the week. In winter, when there is snow, you will ride only 3 hours in the morning on the 6th day. In the afternoon you will take a sleigh ride with the horses through the beautiful White Water Reserve (about one hour).

Day 7: After breakfast return to Krakow and individual departure.

Subject to changes.

Non-riders are welcome in this program! You can ride a bike, go hiking or visit one of the numerous sights (also together with the riders). You can also go to Zakopane - 65 km from the farm. Zakopane is one of the most popular places for summer and winter recreation in Poland - everyone will find something suitable here! There is everything from hiking (marked trails of varying degrees of difficulty), various viewpoints with beautiful views, concerts and other events to galleries and art workshops. If the weather is bad, it is possible to go to Aqua City (about 80 km) or Bukowina Tatrzanska to the thermal baths (60 km away).

Accomodation
You will stay in the family-run guesthouse in simple double or single rooms with bathroom. The hosts are looking forward to your visit and cook for you. The guesthouse is situated in a wonderful location and is the perfect place to explore the Pieniny Mountains and the surrounding area. Your host speaks some English and is very communicative. Your driver, who will pick you up from the airport, speaks English and can help you communicate at the beginning and will give you a complete daily schedule in English. An English-speaking contact person is available for you by phone in case of problems.

Saddle & Tack: English saddles and bridles.

Experience: Comfortable in all gaits and off-road experience are required. You ride 3-6 hours a day. You should also be able to saddle, un-saddle and snaffle the horses, as you usually help before and after the ride. Max. Rider weight: 100 kg.

Horses: Sure-footed and balanced Malopolski horses (size 160cm-168cm).