Attractions in Slovak Paradise National Park
The „Slovak Paradise” National Park is located in the „Slovensky Raj” mountain group in Slovakia. It was established on January 18th 1988. At its area of 194.14 square kilometers there are 19 nature reserves, 11 of which are national. The park also has countless walking and cycling tourist trails. Some of the most attractive trails run through the bottom of narrow gorges with high walls.
„Slovak Paradise” also has more than 600 caves. This article will introduce you to some of the major attractions in the „Slovak Paradise” National Park.
The Kysel Ravine
If you’re searching for a challenging place for hiking with gorgeous landscapes, you should definitely check out the Kysel Ravine in the „Slovak Paradise” National Park. After a major fire in 1976, only the upper part of the ravine was available for tourists, which leaad to the Giant Waterfall and the Little and Big Kysel branches. 40 years later, the tourist route was reconstructed, and currently it allows visitors to walk through the entire Kysel Ravine. During your hike yhou can admire the breathtaking nature and inpressive rock formations.
The Palcmanska Masa water reservoir
The Palcmanska Masa water reservoir is located near the village of Dedinky – a significant tourist centre of the southern part of the Slovak Paradise. It occupies the area of roughly 85 hectares and is surrounded by the limestone cliffs of Geravy. Although it is possible to swim here in the summer, you should remember that Palcmanska Masa is one od the coldest water reservoirs in Slovakia. The nearby village of Dedinky offers various places for accommodation, including guesthouses, hotels and private cottages. There are also plenty of restaurants.
Klastorisko
Klastorisko is a tourist resort located in the Slovak Paradise with ruins of a Carthusian monastery from the 13th century. The strategic position of this place was already noticed by historical inhabitants of Spis, who constructed a new fortified town in the 12th and 13th centuries. This place was functioning as a shelter from Tatar attacks. That’s why it was also sometimes called the „Refuge Rock”. Klastorisko is located in an area called „Slovak Paradise”. From this place you can admire the breathtaking views of the entire Spis Basin.
Dobsinska Ice Cave
The Dobsinska Ice Cave is a Slovak Cave located in the villge of Dobsinska l’adova jaskyna. It is a unique nature reserve and a place of huge natural value thanks to the wildlife living here. The cave is home to 12 species of bats, among others. Local people were familiar with the entrance to the Dobsinska Ice Cave for a long time. It was first explored on June 15th 1870 by Eugen Ruffinyi. Thanks to the efforts of the authorities of Dobsina, the cave became available for tourists in 1871. In 1881, there was an attempt to pu electric lights in the cave.
The Hornad Breakthrough
One of the major highlights of the Slovak Paradise National Park is the Breakthrough of the Hornad River. It is a beautiful canyon valley with the length of roughly 16 kilometers. Over thousands of years, Hornad created a canyon-like valley, throuigh which runs the so-called „Mountain Rescue Path”. This path has 7 metal bridges and footbridges, as well as roughly 70 meters of wooden footbridges.
In the lower section of the Hornad Valley there is a 15-kilometer long educational trail with 11 information boards, which introduce tourists to local flora and fauna.