Slovakia Paradise (Slovenský ráj) - Slovakia

Extent: 19 736 ha

This mountain range forms part of Slovak Iron Ore Mountains, belonging to complex of Spiš-Gemer Karst. It is located in north part of Slovakia in districts of Spišská Nová Ves and Poprad. It is made from limestones and dolomites, and partially from sandstones and slates.

Highest peak: Ondrejisko (1270 m)

Surface: is afforested, in south there are to be found fir-woods and beech-woods, in north pine-wood forests.

All this area is very popular and visited by tourists, including its nature beauties and karst caves, canyons and precipices.

Protected Countryside Area Slovakian Paradise was declared as National Park in 1988.

 

 

Lokalities

Piecky valley

Locality type:
Nature places of interest

Place:
Košice region, Podlesok relax centre

In northwest part of Slovak Paradise, you find quiet and calm Piecky Valley. Its name is derived from rock formations, similar to gigantic stones, created with falling water in the course of millions of years. The passage through this valley is allowed in one way only, i.e. in upstairs direction. The valley is divided in three parts, i.e. central, front and back „piecky“. Starting point into lower part of central „piecky“ (known as White valley - Biela dolina) is to be found in the community of Hrabušice-Pila. At the end of this part, there is situated Great Waterfall, where this ravine is divided into inaccessible section of Front „piecky“ and accessible part of Back „piecky“. You overcome, by means of ladders´ system, unmaintainable brook-bed of Pilanka and come to increased Terrace Waterfall (its foundation is dedicated to fall of cave ceiling). The route through this ravine is terminated on top of Suchá Bela. First historical passage through this valley was effected in 1911, by means of mountaineers´group.

Valley characteristic:

Great waterfall - 13 metres

Terrace waterfall - 8 metres

Route length: 4 kms approx., 2 hours´walk

Exceeding: 370 metres on route length of 4 kms