Stratena – Occasional spring – Raven Rock – Straten Canyon – Stratena
The village of Stratená and its surroundings are among the frequent destinations of visitors to the Slovak Paradise. Most of them go from here to the nearby world-famous Dobšinská Ice Cave. However, from the valley of the Hnilec River, numerous other hiking trails ascend into the surrounding hills, hiding many attractive corners in the picturesque countryside. Despite (or because of) their lower number of visitors, it is definitely worth discovering some of them. Today we will go to the Havrania skala hill with panoramic views far and wide, we will get to know the unique natural phenomenon Občasný spring and we will also “wander” into the romantic Stratenský canyon.
Intermittent spring and nature trail Intermittent spring – Raven rock
Directly from Stratená along the green hiking trail we climb steeply around the cemetery up to the Sokolí rocks, under the Marčeková hill. In about an hour’s walk the trail brings us to a crossroads to a very interesting and protected natural creation, the Occasional Spring. The spring is located at an altitude of 960 metres. Its irregular outlet is conditioned by the shape of the karst spaces below the ground surface, from which water emerges only after they have been filled. The maximum discharge of the spring is 45 litres per second and a single discharge lasts 2 to 3 hours. The activity of the spring was described in the 19th century by the geologist Dionýz Štúr and it is one of the best known and most valuable springs of this kind in Slovakia. Interestingly, the temperature of the water flowing from the Občasný Spring is maintained in the range of 5.2 – 6.4°C all year round.
From the Občasný spring, the yellow tourist trail leads to the top of Raven Rock. On the two kilometres here you will overcome almost 300 metres of altitude, so be prepared for a steep climb. The nature trail consists of seven information boards, which inform about interesting facts about the living and non-living nature in the area, as well as about the economic activities of man in this locality in the past.
Raven Scale
Havrania skala is one of the dominant sightseeing peaks in the Slovak Paradise. With its height of up to 1 153 m above sea level, it rises high above the surrounding landscape and in case of favourable weather offers panoramic views of the central part of the Paradise, the High Tatras, as well as to the south and southeast, towards the Palcmanská Maša dam. An interesting natural creation is the cave in the Raven Rock, which is drilled directly into the summit cliff, is 39 metres long and is freely accessible to tourists. When you have had enough of the views from the top of the Raven Rock, slowly descend along the yellow hiking trail. However, not back to Occasional Spring, but towards Straten Canyon.
Straten Canyon
The Stratenský Canyon formed by the Hnilec River offers a truly magical natural scenery, similar to the canyons in the central part of the Slovak Paradise. Once upon a time, a state road for motor vehicles wound its way through the high limestone cliffs around the Hnilec river. However, after the construction of a road tunnel next to the canyon in 1972, it lost its original purpose.
Today, a cycling route and a special educational trail lead through the canyon. The uniqueness of this trail lies mainly in the fact that it was the first in Slovakia to be built as a priority for immobile visitors in wheelchairs (the height of the information panels is adapted to this). The trail is 1.1 km long and consists of 10 educational information panels with many interesting facts about the surrounding nature.
In addition to wheelchair users, Straten Canyon is also an ideal destination for families with small children in strollers. The road leading through the canyon is asphalt all the way and the elevation gain is minimal. From Straten Canyon, it’s just less than a mile along the red trail around the main road back to the village of Stratena.
Questions for smart observers:
- What kinds of plants and flowers grow around Raven’s Rock? One of the information panels of the nature trail will help you.
- What rare species of animals live in the vicinity of the Hnilec River and the Straten Canyon? The panel “G”, Stratenské kaňon – Fauna” on the nature trail in the canyon will give you a hint.
For whom the trip is intended
This moderately demanding hike does not test the hiker by its length, but by sections with a steep climb. It therefore requires a certain physical fitness. Experienced hikers can easily complete it in 3 to 4 hours under favourable conditions. We also recommend that you consider a possible trip with children according to the age and physical fitness of your little explorers.
Tip
If you have more time on your trip, do not hesitate to go to the Dobšinská ice cave, or to the Straten sawmill to refresh and relax at (or even in) the Palcmanská Maša dam.
How do you get here?
Stratena is connected with the surrounding villages and towns by public bus and rail transport from several directions. During the summer season there is a special summer tourist bus from Spišská Nová Ves, and also several connections from Poprad. By train you can get here from Banská Bystrica or from Margeciany. At the same time, the state road of the first class No. 67 passes through Stratena, so there is also good accessibility by car.
Parking
Parking is available either directly in the village of Stratená or at the large parking lot at the nearby Tourist Information Centre Dobšinská Ice Cave.
More information
http://naucnechodniky.eu/poznavacia-a-informacna-trasa-obcasny-pramen-havrania-skala/
http://naucnechodniky.eu/nch-stratensky-kanon/
Dining options in the surroundings
- Inn Stará krčma, Stratená 22, tel.: 0904 255 056, e-mail: starakrcma2@gmail.com
- Ranch under Ostrou skalou, Dobšinská Ice Cave, tel.: 0911 298 208, e-mail: ranc@ranc-ladova.sk
Accommodation options in the surroundings
- Ranch under Ostrou skalou, Dobšinská Ice Cave, tel.: 0911 298 208, e-mail: ranc@ranc-ladova.sk
- Pension Ľadová, Dobšinská Ľadová Jaskyňa 12, Stratená, tel.: 0911 039 089, e-mail: info@penzionladova.sk