Trzy korony

Trzy Korony (Three Crowns) 982 metres amsl - is the summit of the Three Crowns Massif, an independent portion of a range called Pieniny Mountains in the south of Poland. Trzy Korony forms the central part of a compact group of connected mountains known as Pieniny Środkowe consisting mainly of the limestone and dolomite rock strata.

In 17.09.2011 we decided to go to Sromowce Niżne. It’s a village in the administrative district of Gmina Czorsztyn, within Nowy Targ County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship in southern Poland, close to the border with Slovakia. If someone looking for place to rest in the mountains I would recommend this placeJ

plan trip

elevation difference

We started our expedition from centre next to bridge connecting Sromowce Niżne with Czerwony Klasztor in Slovakia.  Out of here leads yellow trail, initially we walked asphalt road towards to PTTK Trzy Korony shelter.

we went to the top

entry to the forest

board "Przełęcz Szopka"

After passing the shelter, the trail led forest path uphill, next we came to "Przełęcz Szopka", where we admired wonderful views from here. Here intersect two trails yellow and blue, we turned right on blue trail led to "Trzy Korony".

view from "Przełęcz Szopka"

nice view from "Przełęcz Szopka"

"Tatra" mountains far away

signboard on peak "Trzy Korony"

After about 30 minutes we reached the top of the "Three Crowns", where there wasn't one else. We could go to observation deck, and enjoy the beautiful views from the top.

view from "Trzy Korony"

beautiful view from the peak

wonderful view

above the clouds

beautiful sky

clouds below us

view to the "Tatra" mountains

Sromowce Niżne below the clouds

view of the Pieniny mountains

we went to the "Zamek Pieniński"

Later we went blue trail towards  "Zamek Pieniński", called Castle St. Kinga too.  Now here are the ruins of the castle, and you can visit it.

information board

information board about ruins of the castle

ruins of the castle

Based on several studies, it is considered that the construction of the castle began around 1280. The payer and the originator was St. Kinga.  Functionally, it was the centre defensive as a place of last refuge, where nobleman of his court could wait out the assault the enemy, and if it necessary active to defend themselves.  You could fit in in about 100-strong group of refugees and dozens of soldiers crew castle. Most likely, the castle was not used in the first half fourteenth century. It was demolished in the first half of the fifteenth century. There are two historical theories concerning the demolition of the castle:  

• according to one of them, the castle was demolished in 1410, when the army Ścibor with Sciborzyce sent by Sigismund of Luxembourg - supporting the Teutonic Knights - Sadecczyzna destroyed;
• according to another castle was destroyed in 1433, during the invasion of the Hussites.

.

view from the castle

Afterwards we walked in the direction "Sokolica" 747 m amsl, it took us a lot of time because on this peak we reached after 2:30 hours.  Meanwhile the mist disappeared and on top of “Sokolica” were amazing views to “Pieniny” mountains and “Dunajec” river.

beautiful view from the "Sokolica"

view from the "Sokolica"

"Dunajec" river

view of the "Dunajec" river

"Dunajec" river

rafting of the raft

point of view on "Sokolica" peak

on the raft...

Then we went to the green trail to Krościenko, where after a short sightseeing the village, we went in the way back along the yellow trail, a length 6 km, to the Sromowce Niżne. 

view of the "Krościenko"

back to the village "Sromowce Niżne"

view from the "Sromowce Niżne" to the point of view "Okrąglica"

view from the "Sromowce Niżne" to the "Trzy Korony"

It was a tiring trip because we went over 19 km and it took us about 8 hours, but views were amazing and I recommend it for all who like walking in the mountains.