Mountains of Slovakia
Slovak Paradise (Slovensky raj)
Access: Spišská Nová Ves – Čingov, Dedinky
Slovak Paradise is a unique national park lying in eastern Slovakia. It begins in Spišská Nová Ves. The Mother Nature takes pride in its diverse beauties. Massive rocks, lovely pathways, murmuring rivers, green grass, trees or colourful flowers- all that is waiting to be discovered on your summer holiday. You can see not only several deep ravines and dingles hollowed by the river stream but also beautiful cascades. The most famous are Suchá Belá and Piecky ravines. Piecky Ravine is 450 m (1,476ft) deep. Suchá Belá Ravine is the most visited tourist place. Javorina with its 1186 m (3,891ft) is the highest mountain in Slovak Paradise.
The area of Slovak Paradise is recommended for mountain hiking. Tourist routes are clearly marked and their most dangerous parts are equipped with ropes and ladders. Thanks to them, all passing tourists are perfectly safe. The region of Slovak Paradise is characteristic by coniferous forests and rare protected plants as for example the edelweiss or the spring gentian.
The most beautiful part of the park and one of the most interesting tourist places in Slovakia is certainly the Hornád River valley extending on the North. The river runs through 16 km (9.94 mi) long chasm called Prielom Hornádu. Its huge cliffs can be passed only using ladders and stairs with iron chains and ropes. If you want to go there and enjoy impressive panoramic views, you can do so from Čingov lying nearby Spišská Nová Ves. That’s the starting point for this place.
There are few interesting tourist centres in Slovak Paradise as Dedinky, Mlynky or Podlesok in the southern part of the park. The northern part is accessible from Čingov, the southern one from Rožňava. There are some cableways operating in the park. There is a beautiful Dobšinská Ice Cave, inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List, situated on the park’s edge, about 25 km (15.5 mi) far from Rožňava. A rare plants reservation surrounds the Cave. Slovak Paradise is also well known by the longest cave on the Slovak territory – the Lost Cave.