The Dunajec (German Dunajez/Dunajetz or rarely Dohnst) is a right non-navigable tributary of the Vistula in the western Carpathians (southern Poland) of 247 kilometers in length, with its source rivers Czarny Dunajec (Black Dunajec) and Biały Dunajec (White Dunajec) in the Tatras arises. The length of the Dunajec is measured by its headwater Wyżni Chochołowski Potok in the Western Tatras.
Both headwaters unite at Nowy Targ to form the Dunajec, which is dammed up in the Jezioro Czorsztyńskie and Jezioro Sromowskie reservoirs. At the mouth of the Lipník near Červený Kláštor, the old Vistula-Tisza trade route led across the river. The Red Monastery was built at the ford on the Slovak side. This is followed by the up to 300 m deep mountain breakthrough of the Dunajec through the Pieniny, where the river is also a border river with Slovakia for a distance of 18 kilometers. There are national parks on both sides of the border. Then the Dunajec passes the towns of Szczawnica, Krościenko nad Dunajcem and Nowy Sącz.
Above Nowy Sącz it takes in the Poprad, its most important tributary. In Rożnow and Czchów, it is dammed up in the Jezioro Rożnowskie and Jezioro Czchowskie reservoirs, primarily for flood protection. North of Tarnów it flows into the Vistula.
For tourists, several companies organize departures on wooden rafts (e.g. on the Polish side from Sromowce Wyżne to Szczawnica or Krościenko nad Dunajcem). On the way through the narrow gorge, the well-known peaks Three Crowns (Polish Trzy Korony / Slovak Tri Koruny) and Sokolica can also be seen. The descent takes about two hours and is also suitable for children and the elderly (Wikipedia).