Wild ravines of the Slovak Paradise and gorges full of beautiful waterfalls are undeniably a characteristic feature of the Slovak Paradise National Park. Take a trip to the magical kingdom of immaculate nature. Climb all the ladders and climbs and enjoy the unforgettable feeling of surpassing yourself. Most of the gorges of the Slovak Paradise are open all year round. Each gorge has its own parallel return route. Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots are required for crossing the gorges.
Dry white
Difficulty: medium. Crossing time: approx. 2 hours (+ 1.5 hours for the return)
Get to know the most famous and most popular tourist gorge of the Slovak Paradise, Suchá Bela. The green marked hiking trail through the gorge starts right at the Podlesok tourist centre near the village of Hrabušice. Caution, crossing the gorge is recommended only for fit and well-equipped hikers, as there are several difficult sections with the necessity of climbing high steel ladders. Perhaps the most challenging but also the most beautiful section of the gorge is the set of 40-meter high Mis waterfalls. The narrowest point of the gorge is gripped by high rock cliffs, followed by the Window Waterfall with its romantic rock window. From the end of the gorge it is possible to rent a bicycle during the summer season for a ride down the paved road back to Podlesok. It is also possible to continue along the top of Glauc by the blue trail, later by the red trail to Geravy, or by the yellow and red trail to Kláštorisko.
Monastery Gorge
Difficulty: low. Crossing time: approx. 45 minutes (+ 1.5 hours arrival to the gorge and 1.5 hours return)
Kláštorská gorge hidden deeper in the bowels of the Slovak Paradise is a shorter and less demanding alternative to Sucha Bela or other “big” gorges. However, it is equal to them in picturesqueness and a beautiful view of the waterfalls. You can reach it by the Hornád Gorge from Podlesko, or from Letanovský mlýn. The trail through the gorge is green marked and ends in the “epicentre” of the Slovak Paradise, directly at Kláštorisko.
Gorge Piecky
Difficulty: medium. Crossing time: approx. 2 hours (+ 1.5 hours for the return)
If you don’t feel like a mid-summer dip in Sucha Bela, go a little further from Podlesko, to the settlement Hrabušice – Píla from where the picturesque Piecky gorge leads. The yellow marked trail will take you through an almost untouched environment with many waterfalls and cascades.
Gorge of the Great Sokol
Difficulty: high. Crossing time: approx. 2.5 hours (+ 2.5 hours for the return)
The longest, one of the most beautiful and yet the least visited – these attributes belong to the Veľký Sokol gorge. At the same time one of the most demanding gorges for physical fitness. The reward for your courage and effort will be the almost immaculate nature and the adrenaline rush on the ladders and footbridges over the waterfalls. The gorge can be reached from the tourist centre Hrabušice – Píla and is reached by a yellow marked one-way hiking trail.
Sokolia dolina gorge
Difficulty: high. Crossing time: approx. 2 hours (+ 1.5 hours arrival to the gorge and 3.5 hours return)
If you are one of the adrenaline lovers, do not bypass the Sokolia dolina gorge, which is often referred to as the wildest gorge in the Slovak Paradise. When crossing it, it will be a challenge to climb the highest waterfall in the Slovak Paradise – the 70-metre high Veil Waterfall – by means of a set of ladders and bridges. The gorge is best reached from the Čingov resort, around the Hornád River and then along the valley of the Bieleho potok (towards Kyseľ, and further on). The route is suitable only for physically fit hikers who are not afraid of heights.
