SK, Pieniny – A Hike Up Vysoké Skalky

We chose the village of Stráňany as the starting point for climbing the highest peak of the Pieninyridges, which from a geomorphological point of view are included in the area of the Eastern Beskydy Mountains. It is located approximately 15 kilometers from the district town of Stará Ľubovňa and 12 kilometers from Červený Kláštor.

The village of Stráňany itself (Polyvark, Foľvark) with about 200 inhabitants was founded in 1343. The local people were mainly engaged in agriculture, wire industry or forest work. Among the monuments, it is possible to visit the Greek Catholic Classicist Church of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary from 1857, but the village is more sought after due to natural sulfur springs and especially the hiking trail leading to Pieniny.

It is possible to reach Vysoké Skalky (1,049.8 m above sea level) following the green tourist sign. It is located about a kilometer east of Stranany on the main road. The landmark is a white stone cross, where there is also a tourist signpost. The relatively challenging ascent to the top will take you about an hour and a half. In some places, a steep climb to the state border awaits you - to the saddle below Vysoké Skalka. Approximately in the second third of the trip, stop at the lookout at the hill Kýčera. After reaching the saddle, you will connect to the blue hiking trail leading directly to the top, where a scenic platform secured by a railing will be waiting for you.

The reward for the effort will be indescribable views of beautiful meadows, surrounding border hills (Šlachovky, Vysoká, Tři Koruny, etc.) and more distant hills (Belianské, Vysoké and Západní Tatry, Babia hora, Levočské vrchy, etc.). You will also enjoy views of small villages or larger cities.

Of course, you can also get to the border Vysoké Skalky between the Prešov Region and the Lesser Poland Voivodeship (in the part called Malá Pieniny) by other hiking trails. For example, from Litmanová following the yellow and blue tourist signs or from Velký Lipník following the red, yellow and then blue tourist signs. However, the ascent from the village of Stráňany is clearly the shortest.

The autumn season is an ideal time for hiking, and if you decide to visit the Pieniny, be sure to plan a climb to Vysoké Skalky, which will surely surprise you with its picturesqueness.

GPS:  49°21'45.3"N 20°33'49.7"E  (white cross by Stráňany)

Text: Oskár Mažgút

Photos: Karol Kobella, Wikipedia.org:  Jerzy Opioła (2×)