Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Poland

Lesser Poland Voivodeship

powiat nowotarski

gmina Łapsze Niżne

Sromowce Dam – Beautiful view of castles loop from Czorsztyn

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Poland

Lesser Poland Voivodeship

powiat nowotarski

gmina Łapsze Niżne

Sromowce Dam – Beautiful view of castles loop from Czorsztyn

Moderate

4.6

(30)

310

riders

Sromowce Dam – Beautiful view of castles loop from Czorsztyn

01:15

17.6km

310m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The route includes a crossing by ferry. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 28, 2026

This route includes a ferry crossing

Tips

Includes a ferry crossing

Check ferry timetable.

After 15.2 km for 1.56 km

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

2.40 km

View of Niedzica Castle and Czorsztyńskie Lake

Highlight • Viewpoint

It might not be that clear why there are two castles (one rebuilt, one in ruin now) on two sides of the lake. First, imagine there was no lake. Second, imagine that Dunajec River was a border between Poland and Hungary throughout centuries and this area was a border crossing. The construction of the dam was finished in 1997, after almost 30 years. It’s main function is to control the water flow in Dunajec River, protect the lower situated towns from floods. Some people say it was built only for the Sromowce Gorals, so that they can raft 7 months in a year :-). Its area is roughly half the size of Liptovská Mára Lake, some 10,5 sq km. As in the case of Liptov Lake, here also some villages had to be moved higher. The construction of the dam and the lake had an impact on the local microclimate, increasing on 0,3º C the year average temperature in a 5km ratio. The locals say that the weather changes a bit as well, probably due to a different terrain surface.

Niedzica Castle /detour/
In the northernmost lands of the historic Spiš Region lies the impressive Niedzica Castle. Since the construction of the Niedzica Dam (20th century, 2nd half) it overlooks the Czorsztyńskie Lake but before that, since the 14th century it protected a ford (shallow water passage) on Dunajec River which was a border between the Polish and Hungarian Kingdom. It was built by Berzeviczy noble family. Initially a fortified castle, in the 16t century turned more into a Baroque residence that it remained until today. After WW1 when the northern small part of Spisz (including the castle) was granted to Poland, the castle remained a property of Salomon family that lost it only with the arrival of the Soviets who dispossessed all the noble families. It was turned into a museum and a hotel. There is a scenic terrace from which you can see the Lake with the ruins of Czorsztyn Castle (opposite side of the Lake), Gorce Mountains and Pieniny Mountains. In summer season there are boat cruises on the Lake.

Tip by

4.14 km

Sromowce Dam

Highlight • Monument

Sromowce Dam - created to create the Sromowski Reservoir. The Sromowce Wyżne hydroelectric power plant is located nearby.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

9.11 km

View of Pieniński National Park

Highlight • Viewpoint

One of the interesting and charming places. It's a pity that riding bicycles is banned.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

12.9 km

View of Czorsztyn Castle and Lake Czorsztyńskie

Highlight • Viewpoint

Here is a boat stop to Niedzica.

Tip by

13.3 km

View of Czorsztyn and Niedzica Castles

Highlight • Viewpoint

A beautiful and charming route around the lake that every more or less avid cyclist should ride, come in the summer season, probably crowded like in the center of Warsaw 😜

Translated by Google •

Tip by