P h o t o g e o g r a p h y

A view from the Pilsko mountainside towards the western part of Żywiec Beskids The Żywiec Beskids became a tourist destination in earnest a century ago. Tourists were very quick to recognize the advantages of the highest peaks Babia Góra (1,725 m above sea level) and Pilsko (1,557 m a.s.l.). Nowadays, they are the most popular hiking, cycling and skiing destinations. From the both peaks we can admire a vast panorama. Mountains attires itself in various garments: white, enveloped in snow in winter; woven from light green leaves in spring; green, interwoven with colourful flowery spots in summer and in autumn, made of golden leaves. A view from the peak of Sokolica towards the Babia Góra massif Linked to: Żywiec Beskids (continuation) , Żywiec Beskids and Rysianka Mountain Pasture

Gorce mountains are a part of the Western Beskidy Mountains. The Gorce Mountains culminate in Mount Turbacz, rising to a height of 1,310 m above sea level. Mount Turbacz is a hub of several ridges, which are separated by deep valleys. The landscape of Gorce has been altered by human activity. Early settlers appeared in the Gorce area in the 12th century. The forests suffered most in the 19th century during the imperial rule of Austria-Hungary. Trees were cut on a large scale, especially in easily accessible areas. Some glades, located on ridges, were used as mountain pastures until recently. Today the picturesque and charming glades enrich the biodiversity and landscapes. (Lern more: The Gorce National Park ) Linked to: Pieniny meadows (continuation) , Pieniny meadows ,  Mountain meadows ABC Wednesday

The Errant Rocks ("Błędne Skały") reserve is located in the Table Mountains and it is a part of the Table Mountains National Park. The plateau is a denudation monadnock formed in the top part of the Upper Cretaceous sediment (Sandstone). The sandstones are cut by three very regular joint systems, 6-8 m deep and widened by weathering and erosion. These processes led to the formation of rock labirynth along which the tourist trail was developed. This fairy tale land is impressive in the amount and variety of its rock formations and draws tourists to its mysterious labyrinths and enchanting atmosphere. There are several notable rock formations, eg. the Hens’ Foot Rock (see photo above) (Learn more: The Errant Rocks ) Linked to: Table Mountains

Niedzica Castle also known as Dunajec Castle is located in the southernmost part of Poland in Niedzica (Pieniny Mountains). The castle was erected in 14th century and for centuries was a border-post with Hungary. Nowadays the castle is used as a museum. Niedzica Castle is located, on a hill 300 m upstream from the Dunajec River mouth, measured from the center of the dam on Czorsztyn Lake. Czorsztyn Lake, was created in 1994 by damming the Dunajec River downstream of the castle. The castle now stands approx. 30 m above the upper water level. The castle is a great place to visit. It is known as one of the most picturesque castles in Poland. The views are magnificent, particularly to the south over the Pieniny mountains. Linked to:  Pieniny Meadows , Pieniny Meadows (continuation) ,  Spisz's Pieniny  and  Three Crowns You might also like other articles about most beautiful  Polish castles and palaces (click) ABC Wednesday

Linked to: Pieniny Meadows ,  Spisz's Pieniny  and  Three Crowns

The Tatra Mountains are highest mountain range of the Karpaty Mountain and form a natural frontier between Slovakia and Poland. The Tatra Mountains occupy an area of 785 square kilometres and are the smaller Alpine Mountains in Europe. The highest peak called Gerlach (2,655 m.a.s.l.) lie in Slovakia. The Tatra Mountains are divided into the West Tatra and East Tatra Mountains. The East Tatra Mountains are further divided into the High Tatra and Belianske Tatra Mountains. The Tatras are protected by law by the establishment of the Tatra National Park with membership in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO. (Learn more: Poland Travel ) Linked to: Tatra Mountains and  Tatra Mountains #2

The meadows in Pieniny mountains are not natural but they constitute a very important element of the landscape. They are colourful, rich in species and highly diversified. In a single square metre one can find about 30-40 species of flowering plants. There are many orchids and other interesting flowers and plants. The best month to see them is June. The meadows, due to their species diversity and richness, provide thousands of stenothermal and photophilous insects with a plentiful supply of food. The Pieniny meadows are famous for abundance of butterflies; the best known one is the Mountain Apollo, which can be found only here. (Learn more: Pieniński Park Narodowy ) Linked to:  Spisz's Pieniny  and Three Crowns

A view from the summit of Three Crowns towards the Dunajec river valley   Pieniny is a mountain range in the south of Poland and the north of Slovakia. The Pieniny range is 35 km long and up to 5 km wide. The two gorges of the River Dunajec divide them into three parts: Spisz Pieniny, Small Pieniny and the Proper Pieniny. Pieniny’s highest peak – Wysoka (Polish) / Vysoké Skalky (Slovak) – reaches 1,050 metres above sea level (Small Pieniny), but the most famous peak is Trzy Korony (Three Crowns - 982 metres a.s.l. - Proper Pieniny). It is also the summit of the Three Crowns Massif (Proper Pieniny).  The Pieniny mountains are mainly built from limestone and they create picturesque and impressive, almost perpendicular walls which go down towards the Dunajec River.  Already in the 19th century some people noted that the area should be protected. The Polish Pieniny National Park and the Slovak National Natural Reserve in Pieniny was the first International Landscape Park in Eur