Lake Czorsztyn

Lake Czorsztyn (Jezioro Czorsztyńskie) is a reservoir on the Dunajec river in the Nowy Targ Basin, between the Pieniny and the Gorce. It was formed after a dam was built at Niedzica between the Spiš Pieniny and the Pieniny proper. The lake is 9 km long and on average 1.3 km wide (up to 1.75 km), with almost 30 km of shoreline. Near the dam it is about 50 m deep. The normal water level is 529 m above sea level, so on clear days the Tatras can be seen from the shores and the castle walls.

Construction of the complex began in 1969 and the Niedzica dam was completed in 1996; the reservoir was gradually filled during the 1990s. The embankment dam is 404 m long and 59.4 m high. The lake's main purpose is flood protection for the Dunajec valley — it already proved its worth during the great flood of July 1997. There is also a pumped-storage power plant with a capacity of 90.5 MW, and below the dam lies the smaller Sromowce reservoir. An artificial islet, Bird Island, was built on the lake for waterfowl.

What to see and do

• Two castles — on the southern shore stands Dunajec Castle in Niedzica, and opposite, on a rock, the ruins of Czorsztyn Castle. The Polish–Hungarian border once ran between them.
• The Niedzica dam — the most popular spot with visitors, with a good view of both reservoirs.
• Beaches — at Niedzica-Zamek, about 200 m from the castle hill, is what Visit Małopolska describes as the lake's only lifeguarded beach, with a yacht harbour and water-sports rental next to it; another swimming spot is Stara Droga in Kluszkowce on the northern shore.
• Sailing, diving, fishing — the lake is popular with sailors and anglers; in 2019 it hosted the Polish ice-fishing championship.
• Cruises and crossings — in the warm season pleasure boats and crossings between Niedzica and Czorsztyn run from piers near the castles; check timetables and prices locally.
• Cycling — the VeloCzorsztyn route circles the lake, part of the longer VeloDunajec trail.

Practical information

The lake is reached via road no. 969 from Nowy Targ to Krościenko nad Dunajcem; for the southern shore and Niedzica, turn off at Dębno. From Zakopane it is about 50 km via Nowy Targ. There are car parks by the castles and beaches. The shores are accessible all year, but swim only at equipped beaches: the water level changes and the banks are steep in places. In winter the lake often freezes, but going onto the ice is dangerous. It is easy to spend a whole day here with children, combining the castles, a walk along the dam, the beach and a boat trip. July and August are the busiest months, so June or September are better for a quiet visit.

Nearby

Besides the two castles, a few kilometres to the west stands the UNESCO-listed Gothic wooden church in Dębno, and on the road to Nowy Targ the sanctuary in Ludźmierz. On the northern shore, look out for Wdżar, a hill of volcanic origin with a ski centre and a summer toboggan run, and the village of Kluszkowce with an ethnographic museum and a lane of picturesque cellars with small granaries.

Photos: Andrzej Otrębski, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; pl:Wikipedysta:Mariusz G, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons; Scotch Mist, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Jakub Hałun, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.