Podlesok – Hornád Gorge – Kláštorská roklina – Kláštorisko – Podlesok
A trail along the ascending paths attached to the rock high above the Hornád River and a gorge full of waterfalls and steep ladders, which ends at the mysterious, legendary Kláštorisko (Monastery). These challenges of the Slovak Paradise await us in a single circular walking tour. This trip is the perfect choice for all adventure lovers. A moderately demanding hiking trip, which more experienced hikers can complete in half a day, will take us through the most beautiful and strictly protected sites of the northern part of the national park with extremely rare fauna and flora. Accept our invitation and immerse yourself with us in the beauty of the Raj.
Hrabušice – Podlesok
The start and finish of our walk is in the tourist centre Podlesok near the village Hrabušice, where there is good access by car and public transport. There is a large car park as well as catering, accommodation and other sports and recreational services. There is also a tourist information centre, with the possibility to buy maps, tourist books and souvenirs. A green marked hiking trail starts directly from Podlesko through the well-known and very popular Suchá Bela gorge. Today, however, we will take the blue hiking trail from here in the direction of the Hornád Throat.
Hornád breakthrough
From the Hrdlo Hornádu site we enter the zone of adventure and immaculate nature of Paradise – the magical canyon Prielom Hornádu. Within our today’s trip we will visit only a shorter part of it to the mouth of the Kláštorská gorge, but there will be no shortage of adrenaline. Get ready for several sections equipped with metal climbers, after which we will overcome the rock cliffs high above the surface of the Hornád River. There are also several chain bridges, wooden footbridges and other technical elements that will test our courage. The atmosphere is completed by the sound of the water below us, the singing of birds and magical scenery like in a real paradise.
Monastery Gorge
One of the shorter, but at the same time the most beautiful gorges of the Slovak Paradise, the Kláštorská gorge, connects the Hornád gorge with the Kláštorisko plain. A green marked hiking trail leads from the Kláštorská roklina – the mouth (not to be confused with the yellow trail, which also goes from here to Kláštorisko, but parallel above the gorge). In total, there are up to 7 waterfalls in this one and a half kilometre long gorge, which can be climbed with the help of vertical metal ladders. Caution, nothing for the faint hearted or those with a fear of heights! The highest waterfall of Anton Straka reaches a height of up to 13 metres. Crossing the gorge is only possible in the bottom-up direction, upstream of the stream. It will take us less than an hour of hiking.
Monastery
The monastery, once called the “rock of refuge” for the people of the Spiš region, has for centuries been a place of shelter from danger, whether it was war, devastating invasions of hostile nations, or spreading epidemics of deadly diseases. At the end of the 13th century, the Carthusian monastic order built a large monastery here on the foundations of an older fortification. It is from this monastery that the present name of the place derives. They believed that here they would have ideal conditions and peace for their spiritual contemplation and ascetic way of life. Despite its remote location, the monastery was later plundered several times. However, the ruins of the monastery can still be admired today, thanks to the painstaking work of the volunteers responsible for its reconstruction.
During the 20th century, Kláštorisko became a popular destination for hiking and nature holidays. Today there is a Buffet Kláštorisko offering refreshments. In 2010, a Symbolic Cemetery for the Victims of the Slovak Paradise was built at Kláštorisko, dedicated to the memory of all those who tragically lost their lives here, as well as to those who contributed significantly to the development and protection of the national park. From Kláštorisko, hiking trails branch off in several directions. We will descend along the green hiking trail back to the Hrdlo Hornádu locality and from there to the destination of the trip in Podlesko.
Questions for smart observers
- Can you name at least three waterfalls located in the Kláštorská gorge? The information board at the mouth of the gorge will help you.
- In what year did the Carthusian monks complete their monastery at Kláštorisko? The year is inscribed on the wooden roof on the facade of the monastery.
- The Hrdlo Hornádu locality is well known and sought after also among adrenaline sport enthusiasts. Do you know what kind?
Who is the trip for?
The hike with a length of about 12 kilometres and an altitude of 550 metres is one of the moderately demanding hiking trips. Experience with moving in exposed terrain is an advantage. A hike with younger children should be well considered according to their physical fitness and previous hiking experience. The trip is not suitable for people with a fear of heights.
Tip
Don’t forget to take high waterproof boots, a waterproof jacket or raincoat, spare socks in your rucksack, plenty of liquids and food. The Kláštorská gorge trail runs directly through the riverbed, in case of higher water levels its crossing may be restricted.
How do you get here?
You can get to Podlesok either by your own car or by public transport buses, which run from the direction of Poprad and Spišská Nová Ves. Some of them stop right at the Podlesok resort. Others stop in the centre of Hrabušice, or at the crossroads towards Betlanovce, from where you can easily get to Podlesok on foot (from the village 2 km, from the Betlanovce crossroads 1 km). The nearest passenger train stop is in the village of Vydrník (5.8 km from Podlesko).
Parking
Parking is available at the paid parking lot directly in the tourist center Podlesok.
More information
www.vraji.sk, www.slovenskyraj.eu, www.hzs.sk, www.npslovenskyraj.sopsr.sk
Catering options
- Restaurant Rumanka Podlesok – Podlesok 817, 053 15 Hrabušice, 0907 289 262
- Podlesok Ranch – Podlesok, 053 15 Hrabušice, 0918 407 077, 0905 961 341
- Hotel Slovenský raj – Hrabušice – Majer 492, 053 15 Hrabušice, 053/449 04 94
Accommodation options in the surroundings
- Autocamping Podlesok – Podlesok, 053 15 Hrabušice, 053/429 91 65
- Malý Majer Podlesok – Podlesok No. 1015/69, 053 15 Hrabušice, 0907 289 262
- Podlesok Ranch – Podlesok, 053 15 Hrabušice, 0918 407 077, 0905 961 341
- Ranch u Trapera – Podlesok 491, Podlesok, 053 15 Hrabušice, 0915 987 232
- Hotel Slovenský raj – Hrabušice – Majer 492, 053 15 Hrabušice, 053/449 04 94