SK, Slovenský ráj – HZS Kysel Ferrata

Hrabusice (Podlesok), Letanovce or Spisske Tomasovce (Cingov) could be your points of start. Another option is to set off from the other edge of Dedinka village. However, starting off at the later you need good stamina. Klastorisko is a meeting point for the tour. There you take a yellow tourist trail to Kysely. There beginst the climb to Horska Zachrana Sluzba Kysel via ferrata.

This is the most difficult crossing (type C) through Kysel gorge. Only last year on 19. 8. 2016, it was opened again after a damaging fire 40 years ego. Before you begin with this adventurous journey you need to obtain ferrata equipment. Also, you need to keep off there off the season. Usually it is between the month November until mid-June. Moreover, learn about the weather conditions prior to your arrival. If you do so, you will be all good to explore the wild nature and gain some unique experience. There is a charge for entering the ferrata (you get a brochure about the ferrata which comes with the brochure). And you can cross the ferrata alone but you can also get an experiecned guide for a fee. A ferrata set can be rented at specialized places.

At the edge of Kysel there is the starting point of the via ferrata. You will be crossing the most protected sections of the national park. The park belongs to the NATURA 2000 European-wide protected areas. Once, this was the most frequently visited gorge  Slovensky raj. However, it was closed and remade in 1974. What you can expect now are amazing sceneries.

First, you begin on a smal meadow and join a narrow pavewalk towards tohe river. There you will walk up the river creek so wear waterproof shoes. The gorge gets narrower as seemingly falling rock walls of the gorge and colder, more humid air demonstrate. White limestone with grassy terraces, fallen wood, and debris will get you to the first crampons 400 meters away.

Soon you will reach another beautiful nature's formation - the Barikadovy Waterfall.. You can cross it via crampons hooked to the rock wall. Then, there is the elevation part and once you are done with it you will get to another rock formation called Udirna (Smokehouse). This little cave used to be a shelter against bad weather. Hopefully, you won't need to use it. The you will get to the Kaplickovy waterfall. Harsh fire and land slides which chnged the looks of the watefall. The crossing through Temnice - a rock gorge follows then. Eventually, you will get to the most difficult part of the ferrata. This is a steep climb along the amazing Obrovsky waterfall (Huge waterfall). It ends at the bridge above it. There the ferrata ends. Another trail of Kysely which is intended for ordinary visitors. The trail takes you to  the Karoliny waterfall and you don't need ferrata euqipment.

Once you are done with the yellow trail you will get to the crossroads or Nad Kysel place. There you join the blue trail going back to Klastorisko. The ferrata could be crossed in two hours. However, if you love to enjoy the nature which you will make enough spare time. The total elevation of the ferrata is 179 meters.

GPS:  48°56'36.6"N 20°25'18.1"E (Kláštorisko)

Text: Oskár Mažgút

Video and photos: Jozef Dovičin

Music: Lights Out – Myuu