SLOVAKIA: Lesnica- Cerveny Klastor

Erasmus+ project H2O not wasted led us to Pieniny national park where we tried traditional boat ride down the river Dunajec. We sailed down Dunajec River Gorge, which covers nine kilometers, from Červený Kláštor (Red Monastery), Slovakia, to Szczawnica, Poland. Most of the Slovak side of the gorge is part of the 21-square-kilometer Pieniny (Foamy) National Park. The Poles have a national park on their side, too.
Foam is created by the gorge's river as it runs over the limestone bed. The river passes by and through a series of tree-covered cliffs, some reaching 500 meters.
Rafting tours from Červený Kláštor (one starts across from the monastery; the other begins a kilometer upstream) end in Lesnica, near the spot where the river ceases being the border and turns back into Poland.
The nine-kilometer trip lasts about an hour and half. Wooden rafts are slow and safe and the river is tame. It's more for the view, and the friendly guides, who, dressed in Slovak folk hats and shirts, tell stories about the importance of the river for the life of people in the past.
There are several options of how to get back to Cerveny Klastor. A taxi from Lesnica costs about 15 €. Or hike back along a trail that follows the river. Or rent a bike ( 4 €) and ride back. We decided to hike back as the trail shows.

TRANSPORT
Buses connect Červeny Klastor, a village, to Poprad, Stará Ľubovňa, Bardejov, Prešov and Košice. There are no train connectionns.

Places to stay
It can be difficult to find accommodation in Červený Kláštor in mid-summer. Often your best bet are small bed and breakfasts (pensions) or private houses that rent rooms. There is also one campsite in the village nearby.
1. Cerveny Klastor SPA
2. Pension Pltnik
3. Pension Tulip