SK, Bratislava: Velký and Malý Draždiak – Lakes of Petržalka II

Today, for a change, we will please nature lovers who are looking for places that are untouched by man. However, even before the walk around Malý Draždiak, we will take you to the Dík meadow. It is located between Starhradská, Kutlíkova streets and Lake Malý Draždiak.

Since 2009, the meadow has been a memory of famous and important personalities involved in the cultural or social life of Petržalka. The monuments are trees, so you will find here, for example, Anton Srholec ash, Emilie Vášáryová rowan, Daniel Hevier maple, Hilda Múdré pear or Marika Gombitová willow and Milan Lasica elm. Actor Ladislav Chudík has a special place here, who, in addition to the oak tree, also has a miniature of a cast iron historical bridge from Hronec, his birthplace.

A few steps from the meadow stretches the artificial lake Malý Draždiak. Compared to its lake brother, it gives a more natural impression, it is surrounded by trees, lined with forest paths and, thanks to several peninsular outcrops, it provides a pleasant place to relax or even grill meat. On the eastern edge of the lake there is a cottage settlement with gardens.

Malý Draždiak was established during gravel mining around 1982. On an area of 9 hectares, it provides ideal opportunities for fishing and for the more adventurous, even swimming, but we note that at your own risk. It is an occasional home for waterfowl. Of interest is the narrow dam on its northern edge, which separates it from the so-called Dead Branch of Kutlík. This remnant of the original end of the Croatian arm is a nesting place for swans, ducks, coots, and you can even see herons, woodpeckers or jays here.

The surroundings of the lake are completed by several brick fireplaces with seating, a wooden gazebo and three information boards, which will introduce you to the landscape of floodplain forests. At the end of the walk we will invite you to another magical place.

It is located at the level of the aforementioned Dead Arm of Kutlík, but you have to cross a four-lane road (Kutlíkova) to the other side of Lesík Zrcadlový háj, where you will discover other nameless lakes in the dense vegetation. The ones in the shade of the trees offer a breathtaking natural scenery.

The whole area is also ideal for cycling and in a few weeks you can pull out winter skates, because the frozen lakes directly encourage this. It is a paradox that the last remnants of floodplain forests in Central Europe, which are unique not only in species richness but also in high biomass production, have been preserved on the edge of the largest Slovak housing estate. They are a kind of natural barrier and a reservoir of drinking water. At the same time, they are a unique excursion place that will surely enchant you.

GPS: Malý Draždiak 48°06'29.2"N 17°07'19.9"E 

GPS: Díků meadow 48°06'36.8"N 17°06'58.2"E 

Text and photos: Oskár Mažgút