Boat cruises on the reservoir
Barely about 300 metres from the resort, at the foot of Dunajec Castle in Niedzica, there is a pier from which sightseeing cruises depart across Lake Czorsztyn. Walking down to the water, in a cruise of under an hour you'll see both Pieniny castles from the deck, the mighty dam at Niedzica, and the panorama of the Pieniny and Gorce mountains reflected in the emerald-green surface. It is one of the most picturesque and most easily accessible attractions near the resort - great for a relaxed afternoon or the start of a day in the mountains.
About this place
Barely about 300 metres from the resort, at the foot of Dunajec Castle in Niedzica, there is a pier from which sightseeing cruises depart across Lake Czorsztyn. Walking down to the water, in a cruise of under an hour you'll see both Pieniny castles from the deck, the mighty dam at Niedzica, and the panorama of the Pieniny and Gorce mountains reflected in the emerald-green surface. It is one of the most picturesque and most easily accessible attractions near the resort - great for a relaxed afternoon or the start of a day in the mountains.
Cruises Niedzica ↔ Czorsztyn ↔ Polana Sosny, pedal boats, views.
Where it comes from
Lake Czorsztyn is not a natural lake - it is an artificial dam reservoir on the Dunajec, filled after the Niedzica dam was commissioned on 9 July 1997 (construction had run since 1975). As the reservoir filled, entire villages and hamlets disappeared beneath the water, including Old Maniowy - one of the oldest settlements of the Podhale region, founded in 1326. Before the flooding, residents were resettled, buildings were demolished, and the brick church in Maniowy, built in 1819, was blown up in 1994; some historic cottages were saved and gathered into an open-air museum on the reservoir's shore. From the deck of the boat, the two castles standing guard over the lake are clearly visible - the medieval ruins in Czorsztyn and Dunajec Castle in Niedzica - once separated by the Dunajec valley, today separated by the lake's surface.
Good to know
- Sightseeing cruises are run by the passenger boat Harnaś, which carries up to 130 people at a time and has two viewing decks, a café and a toilet.
- Besides the sightseeing cruise, there is also a ferry crossing between the castles - the boats Dunajec and Halny run in season roughly every 20 minutes from Niedzica to Czorsztyn and back, carrying passengers along with their bikes.
- The boat Dunajec is a rarity on Polish waters - it is driven by side paddle wheels rather than a conventional propeller.
- Sunken villages lie beneath the lake's surface - at very low water levels, the foundations and ruins of the old village of Maniowy emerge from the bottom, regularly drawing the attention of the media and tourists alike.
- The dam visible from the deck is the tallest earth dam with a central core in Poland - 56 metres high and 404 metres long.
Frequently asked questions - Boat cruises on the reservoir
Short, concrete answers for anyone planning a visit.
How long does the sightseeing cruise on Lake Czorsztyn last?
The sightseeing cruise aboard the Harnaś lasts about 50 minutes. The boat departs from the pier in Niedzica usually on the hour, once a minimum group of passengers has gathered.
Where is the pier, and how far is it from the resort?
The sightseeing-cruise pier lies at the foot of Dunajec Castle in Niedzica, barely about 300 metres from Mergen Bike & Ski Resort - you can walk there along the lakeside path in a few minutes.
What boat runs the cruise, and how many passengers can it take?
Sightseeing cruises are run by the passenger boat Harnaś, which has two viewing decks, a café and a toilet, and can carry up to 130 passengers at a time.
What season do the cruises run in, and what happens in bad weather?
Cruises on Lake Czorsztyn run seasonally, roughly from May to October. Outside the season, and in unfavourable weather (strong wind, storms), cruises may be cancelled or suspended, so it is worth checking the current schedule with the operator before your visit.
What can you see from the deck during the cruise?
From the deck you can see Dunajec Castle in Niedzica, the ruins of Czorsztyn Castle, the Niedzica dam, and the panorama of the Pieniny and the Pieniny National Park. The route runs across the artificial reservoir, beneath which former villages lie submerged, including Old Maniowy.
How does the lake cruise differ from the Dunajec Gorge raft trip?
They are two different attractions: the Harnaś sightseeing cruise takes place on the artificial Lake Czorsztyn right by the resort (300 m) and lasts about 50 minutes, while the traditional raft trip through the Dunajec Gorge departs from the pier at Sromowce Wyżne (about 15 km from the resort) and follows the river through a rocky gorge between Trzy Korony and Sokolica.
Is the lake cruise suitable for families with young children?
Yes - it's a calm, short cruise on quiet water, with no sporty or adrenaline elements, so it works well as a family attraction. The boat has two viewing decks and a covered section with a café, which helps in sunny or cooler weather.
More from the category: Nature and water
Lake Czorsztyn (Reservoir)
0.3 kmGuarded beach, kayaks, SUP boards, sailboats - right next to the resort (about 300 m).
See more →Velo Czorsztyn (cycling path)
0.3 kmA paved 27-40 km loop around the lake (shortcut via the boat crossing, about 27-28 km), flat surface suited to e-bikes. Starts about 300 m from the cabins.
See more →Niedzica Dam (power plant)
1 kmThe tallest earth dam in Poland (56 m), a gallery 50 m underground, a viewpoint, guided tours.
See more →See also in the area
Practical guides to help you plan your visit and get to know these places better.
Najlepsze szlaki piesze w Pieninach dla rodzin z dziećmi
Łatwe szlaki w Pieninach dla rodzin z dziećmi: Wąwóz Homole, Droga Pienińska, Zielone Skałki i spacery nad Jeziorem Czorsztyńskim. Czasy, trudność i co zabrać.
Read the full article →Pieniński Park Narodowy - bilety, zasady, szlaki
Pieniński Park Narodowy - najstarszy park narodowy w Polsce (1932). Sprawdź orientacyjne opłaty za wstęp, sezon poboru, zasady poruszania i szlaki na Trzy Korony i Sokolicę.
Read the full article →Skąd startuje spływ Dunajcem - przystanie Kąty i Sromowce
Spływ Dunajcem startuje z przystani Sromowce Wyżne-Kąty (główna) lub z Sromowiec Niżnych. Sprawdź dojazd z Niedzicy, parking, ceny orientacyjne i jak wrócić po spływie.
Read the full article →About this content
Attraction descriptions are based on information from local operators, maps, official websites and the resort team's many years of experience in the Pieniny. Distances and travel times are approximate values measured from Niedzica. Always check current opening hours and tickets directly with the source.
Related attractions in the area
Other places worth a look near Niedzica and Lake Czorsztyn.
After a day of sightseeing, come back to cabins with a pool and sauna - perfect for relaxing after a trail or a raft trip.
5 minutes from the attractions
Boat cruises on the reservoir and the whole Pieniny area within reach - and in the evening your own cabin with a pool and sauna. Check availability for your dates.
Looking for a place to recharge after sightseeing? Cabins with a private sauna and pool in Niedzica make a comfortable base for the Pieniny.