Rożnów: Castle, Rocks and Lake

• Rożnów lies on the right bank of Lake Rożnowskie.
• The Skały Rożnowskie are made of Ciężkowice sandstone and lie on the lakeshore.
• A walk along the dam offers views of wooded shores and the lake.

The Upper Castle of Rożnów changed hands over the course of its history: it first belonged to the Rożen family, then to Zawisza Czarny, a knight of Władysław Jagiełło, and later to Hetman Jan Amor Tarnowski. Rożnów is also home to one of Poland’s early fortresses with an early modern defensive fortification. The Stadnicki manor house is another of the village’s attractions.

The wooden Church of St. Wojciech dates from the 17th century. Its single-nave body, three-sided chancel and roof turret in place of a tower give it a clearly identifiable architectural form. The church was founded by Jan Wielopolski, Castellan of Wojnicz. If you are interested in architectural history, the church and the historic sites offer different points of interest: here, ecclesiastical architecture and the history of its foundation; there, the succession of owners of the Upper Castle and its defensive fortifications.

The Skały Rożnowskie lie on the lakeshore; their composition of Ciężkowice sandstone connects the landscape with a specific geological feature. The rocks reach heights of up to 30 metres. They are suitable for walking and climbing. According to the municipal tourism description, several climbing routes are suitable for both climbing enthusiasts and beginners. This is a description of the routes, not a statement about their current conditions.

A walk along the Rożnów dam offers views of the steep, wooded shores and the lake. You can therefore choose between different perspectives on the landscape: the rocks reveal the sandstone formations along the shore, while the walk along the dam looks out over the shores and the lake.

Activities on the water are also described: a municipal website dated August 18, 2025, describes the excursion boat “Jaskółka” as operating on Lake Rożnowskie. Check the timetable when making specific plans. For the bathing area, a municipal website from the same date lists a landing stage with kayaks and pedal boats.

A blue long-distance hiking trail passes through Rożnów between Zagórze and Wiesiółka. It is part of a long-distance route that runs from the Radziejowa Range in the Sądecki Beskids through the Pieniny, Gorce, Beskid Wyspowy and Rożnów Foothills to Tarnów. The sequence of regions mentioned shows the route’s wider course, while Rożnów itself is one of the places along the way. Check local conditions before planning your hike.

Another route is listed for cycling: it passes through Rożnów between Majdan and Roztoka. The hiking route and the cycling route can be distinguished by their listed destinations and route descriptions.

If you’d like to discover more destinations: Florynka, Cieniawa, Jazowsko, Zarzecze, Świdnik, Kąclowa, Barcice and Uhryń.

Where is Rożnów on Lake Rożnowskie?

Rożnów lies on the right bank of the lake. The Skały Rożnowskie are located on the lakeshore.

What are the features of the wooden Church of St. Wojciech?

The church dates from the 17th century and has a single-nave body, a three-sided chancel and a roof turret instead of a tower. It was founded by Jan Wielopolski, Castellan of Wojnicz.

What should you keep in mind before taking a trip on the “Jaskółka”?

A municipal website dated August 18, 2025, describes the boat as operating on the lake. Check the timetable when planning your trip.

For the broader travel overview: Nowy Sącz.