Niedzica Dam (power plant)
The tallest earth dam in Poland (56 m), a gallery 50 m underground, a viewpoint, guided tours.
- 1 km from the resort
- ~12 min on foot
- ~3 min by car
- Season: year-round
About this place
Barely about a kilometre from the resort rises the Niedzica Dam - the tallest earth dam with a clay core in Poland, holding back the waters of the Dunajec to form the picturesque Lake Czorsztyn.
The 7-metre-wide crest of the dam is open to pedestrians, so a resort guest can walk right up onto the crest and take in the lake's surface, the ruins of Czorsztyn Castle and the shape of Dunajec Castle in Niedzica.
An underground pumped-storage power plant operates at the foot of the structure, and the dam and its interior are - by prior booking - open for guided tours. It is a natural starting point for walks and cruises on the lake in the heart of the Pieniny.
The tallest earth dam in Poland (56 m), a gallery 50 m underground, a viewpoint, guided tours.
Good to know
- 01The Niedzica Dam is the tallest earth dam with a clay core in Poland - built up from about 1.7 million m³ of local gravel and pebbles, with a watertight clay core hidden at its heart.
- 02The Niedzica hydroelectric plant has a capacity of 92 MW and operates in pumped-storage mode: two reversible Deriaz-type turbines (2 × 46 MW) pump water into the upper reservoir at night, releasing it back into the grid during peak demand hours.
- 03The plant's machine hall is hidden about 40 metres underground, with water fed to it through tunnels bored through the rock - touring the dam's underground works with a guide is one of the more fascinating attractions in the area.
- 04Dunajec Castle in Niedzica stands right by the dam crest, tied to the famous legend of the Inca treasure: according to it, a will written in the knotted-cord script kipu (quipu), supposedly found beneath the castle threshold, hid clues to Inca treasures - researchers, however, do not confirm the truth of this story (it is a legend).
- 05At exceptionally low water levels, the remains of the sunken village of Old Maniowy emerge from the lake - the foundations of houses and old roads - drawing history buffs and photographers to the reservoir.
Frequently asked questions - Niedzica Dam (power plant)
Short, concrete answers for anyone planning a visit.
How far is the Niedzica Dam from the resort?
The dam is about 1 km from the resort, within a short walk or a few minutes' drive - the nearest natural attraction in the area.
Can you walk onto the dam crest and tour it?
Yes. The dam crest is 7 metres wide and open to pedestrians, and the interior of the dam and the power plant can be toured with a guide - prepared routes cover technical areas and the underground tunnel. It is worth checking opening hours and booking rules with the operator (ZEW Niedzica) beforehand.
How tall and how long is the Niedzica dam?
The dam is 56 metres high (measured from the gallery walkway) and 404 metres long. It is the tallest earth dam with a clay core in Poland.
When was the dam and Lake Czorsztyn built?
Construction of the main dam ran from the mid-1970s, and the whole Czorsztyn-Niedzica reservoir system was commissioned on 9 July 1997, right in the middle of the so-called flood of the millennium.
What power plant operates at the dam, and how does it work?
The Niedzica hydroelectric plant has a capacity of 92 MW and operates in pumped-storage mode: two reversible Deriaz-type turbines (2 x 46 MW), hidden in a machine hall about 40 metres underground, pump water into the upper reservoir at night and release it back into the grid during peak demand hours.
Is there a castle tied to the Inca treasure legend near the dam?
Yes, Dunajec Castle in Niedzica stands right by the dam crest, tied to the popular legend of a will written in the knotted-cord script kipu, hiding an Inca treasure - this, however, is a legend, not a historically confirmed fact, though it is gladly retold during tours of the area.
More from the category: Nature and water
0.3 km
Lake Czorsztyn (Reservoir)
Guarded beach, kayaks, SUP boards, sailboats - right next to the resort (about 300 m).
0.3 km
Velo Czorsztyn (cycling path)
A 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.
0.3 km
Boat cruises on the reservoir
Cruises Niedzica ↔ Czorsztyn ↔ Polana Sosny, pedal boats, views.
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
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Read the full article →Pieniński Park Narodowy: bilety, zasady, szlaki
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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.
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Related attractions in the area
Other places worth a look near Niedzica and Lake Czorsztyn.
- The ruins of Czorsztyn Castle - a panorama of the lake
- The Dunajec Gorge raft trip
- Pieniny National Park - Trzy Korony
After a day of sightseeing, come back to cabins with a pool and sauna - perfect for relaxing after a trail or a raft trip.
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.
5 minutes from the attractions
Niedzica Dam (power plant) 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.