Dedinky – Mlynky-Biele Vody – Zejmarská roklina – Geravy – Stratenská Píla – Dedinky
The Slovak Paradise National Park attracts lovers of adventure and beautiful nature in every season. You can visit it hundreds of times and it will always be a little bit different, it will always reveal something new to you. In the southern part of the national park, in the valley of the Hnilec River, one of the favourite destinations of tourists is the village of Dedinky on the shore of the Palcmanská Maša dam. Our today’s hiking trip will lead along the 11 km long nature trail Slovak Paradise – South. From Dedinky we will follow the red marked hiking trail around the ski slopes to the village of Mlynky-Biele Vody, where we will enter the magical world of the shortest, but also one of the most picturesque gorges of the Slovak Paradise – the Zejmarská gorge. After climbing all the ladders and bridges around the Captain Ján Nálepka Waterfalls, we will find ourselves on the karst plain of Gerava. Here we will refresh ourselves and gain strength for the descent through the valley of Malé Zajfy to the western tip of Palcmanská Maša, on Stratenská Píla. The brave can take a dip or at least cool off in the waters of the coldest dam in Slovakia. If you are lucky, you will see a motor train that goes around the dam through a series of bridges and tunnels on the Margecany – Červená Skala line. And following the dam, we will return to Dedinki along the red tourist trail.
Villages and the Palcmanská Maša dam
The village of Dedinky, hidden under the massif of the Gačov rock, is one of the most frequent destinations of visitors seeking summer recreation by the water in the Slovak Paradise. It was founded in the 20th century, namely in 1933 by the merger of the villages of Imrichovce and Štefanovce. And although it does not seem so because of the surrounding mountains, it is located at a relatively high altitude, up to 795 m above sea level (almost 150 m higher than the well-known Tomášovský vista). In 1954, the Palcmanská Maša dam was completed near the village, which together with the balancing reservoir near Dobšiná forms a valuable technical work – the Dobšiná waterworks. Between the reservoirs, a pumped storage power plant, one of the first of its kind in the country, is in operation. The water from the Palcmanská Maša is fed from the Hnilec river basin into the Slaná river basin through this work.
In the villages near Palcmanská Maša today we can find a varied offer of accommodation and catering facilities, a campsite as well as a boat and sports equipment rental shop. There is also a romantic cable car to Geravy, which is currently undergoing reconstruction so that it can once again carry tourists from the summer of 2023. In addition to summer holidaymakers and fishermen, Dedinky is also popular with downhill and cross-country skiing enthusiasts in winter thanks to the local ski resort.
Zejmar Gorge
Zejmarská Gorge is the only accessible gorge with ladders and waterfalls in the south of the Slovak Paradise. Since 1980, it has also been a national nature reserve with the same name, covering an area of 72.65 ha. Due to its relatively lower difficulty, it is often recommended as ideal for newcomers who want to get acquainted with the environment and the way of access to the gorges of the Slovak Paradise, or for families with children. While crossing it we can discover the system of the Waterfalls of kpt. Ján Nálepka, named after the hero of World War II, who worked as a teacher in Biely Vody. After about an hour’s walk, the gorge will lead us to the Geravy plain.
Geravy
Geravy is a karst plateau in the south of the Slovak Paradise, which is a crossroads of hiking and cycling trails. A mountain hotel with a restaurant offers its services here, near which there is also the upper station of the aforementioned cable car from Dedinky. Horses and other domestic animals graze on the adjacent meadows and fields as part of a small eco-farm in the paddocks. It is an ideal place for relaxation during hiking.
The valley of the Little Zaifa
The Malé Zajfy Nature Reserve is located in the valley of the Vráblovský brook, which forms numerous meanders here. In addition to the beautiful environment, the valley also boasts a number of rare species of fauna and flora. A green marked hiking trail leads through it. From the crossroads of Veľké and Malé Zajfy at the mouth of the valley, more skilled hikers can also climb the nearby Havrania skala lookout hill, below which there is a remarkable natural phenomenon called the Occasional Spring. However, the Slovak Paradise – South nature trail continues on to Stratenská Píla.
Stratenska Sawmill
The Stratenská Píla site lies at the western end of Palcmanská Maša, near the village of Stratená. During the summer it is a very popular place for recreationists and fishermen, as well as for rock climbers, who have a climbing area on the rock cliffs towering above the dam. You can take a boat, kayak or paddleboard from here under two railway bridges to Dedinky.
Questions for smart observers:
- How many information panels are there on the Slovak Paradise – South trail, which we are passing through, and what do they say?
- At what altitude is the Geravy karst plateau located (a tourist signpost or a map will help you)?
- On the outskirts of Dedinky there is a fish breeding station, which you can buy fresh, or some local restaurants also offer fish dishes. Can you find out what two species of fish they breed here?
Who is the trip for and what should not be forgotten to take on it:
The hike along the Slovak Paradise – South Nature Trail with a length of 11 kilometres belongs to the moderately demanding ones due to its elevation and terrain ruggedness. It will take you at least 3 and a half hours of your time, requires sturdy hiking shoes and waterproof clothing. Your courage will be tested by the ladders around the waterfalls in the Zejmarska Gorge, which are not too high, however, so that even the more experienced children’s hikers can manage them. In case of lack of strength, the walk can be shortened by returning from Geravas along the green hiking trail directly to Dedinice.
How do you get here?
The village of Dedinky, which is the starting point of our tour, is located 11 km from Dobšiná, 32 km from Spišská Nová Ves and 39 km from Rožňava. From all these places there are public bus connections. There are also passenger trains and regional express trains on the route Margecany – Červená Skala and further in the direction of Banská Bystrica.
Parking
Parking is available in the centre of Dedinky, or in front of the Hotel Priehrada.
Dining options:
Pension Koliba Zuzana – Dedinky 127, 0905278397
PIZZA & CAFE Lumaro – Dedinky 75, 0908930959
Pension Restaurant Pastierňa – Dedinky 42, 0907365375
Restaurant Pelle – Dedinky 108, 0905390398
Accommodation options:
Hotel Priehrada Dedinky – Dedinky 107, 0903969109
Hotel Mlynky – Biele Vody 252, Mlynky, 0915351166
Pension Salamander – Palcmanská Maša 293, Mlynky, 0910842369
Pension pod Guglom – Prostredný Hámor 389, Mlynky, 0903016865