Mountain Trails [#25] - Small and Large Crown of Pieniny PTTK Szczawnica

The Pieniny trails are an excellent choice for tourists starting their trekking adventure - beautiful views and relatively easy paths can motivate anyone. That is why the surrounding hills and peaks are the destination of many family trips. The Pieniny Branch of PTTK, aiming to encourage beginner tourists, especially the youngest, has established two badges: the Small Pieniny Crown and the Great Pieniny Crown.

The Small Pieniny Crown badge – to earn it, one must confirm the ascent of three Pieniny peaks: Okrąglica 982 m a.s.l., Sokolica 747 m a.s.l., and Wysoka 1050 m a.s.l. To earn the Great Pieniny Crown badge, it is additionally required to conquer two lesser-known peaks, namely Wysoki Wierch 898 m a.s.l. and Żar 883 m a.s.l.

Anyone can earn the badges; there are no age limits. To document the summit achievement, a stamp in the PTTK Mountain Badge Book is sufficient. If you do not have your book with you, a clear photo of the person reaching the summit, in front of a sign with the peak’s name, can also serve as confirmation. If you don't have a camera with you, confirmation of the ascent will be the signature of the guide present on the trip, a Mountain Guide or a GOPR Rescuer. The stamps for Sokolica and Okrąglica can be found at the ticket office of the Pieniny National Park. At Żar, Wysoka, and Wysoki Wierch, the stamps are at the very summits, in wooden boxes.

Acquiring the Small and Great Pieniny Crowns is a great fun and motivation to explore the less known areas and peaks of Pieniny. And if you're up for more, a more challenging badge awaits you, which is the Pieniny Crown.

Author of the photos and text: Ewa Bandyk