Visiting Hájske waterfalls in the Slovak Karst National Park – small but really nice!

Slovakia is a natural gem boasting about 250 waterfalls that are spread around the whole country. While the majority of the waterfalls can be found in the Slovak Paradise National Park (90+), there are only few in the Slovak Karst National Park. And they are called Hájske waterfalls.

More about Hájske waterfalls

Hájske waterfalls are situated at the bottom of the Hájska valley, in the eastern part of the Slovak Karst National Park. They are easily accessible and if you are coming here by car you won’t need to spend more than an hour here.

Middle waterfall in winter, Hájske waterfalls, Slovakia

However they are also good for the whole day trips as there is even a shelter with fireplace. So you can cook something here and spend a nice day surrounded by several wonderful waterfalls around.

There are several smaller and higher waterfalls and several cascades that are created by the stream that flows through the valley. In the hot summer they provide colder and wetter ambience while during the freezing winter they create wonderful ice creatures.

Big waterfall in hot and dry summer, Hájske waterfalls, Slovakia

Big waterfall when there is a lot of water, Slovakia

The waterfalls are always changing, they are different during dry weather and huge when raining. Whatever time of the year you choose to come here you’ll never regret it!

Waterfalls have their own names:

– Hájsky waterfall above the bridge
– Big Hájsky waterfall
– Middle Hájsky waterfall
– Upper Hájsky waterfall
– Lower Hájsky waterfall

Lower waterfall, Hájske waterfalls, Slovakia

How to get to Hájske waterfalls

The best way to visit Hájske waterfalls is by car. There is also a bus running through the village but I was not able to find the timetables, or the place where the bus is running from.

Middle waterfall, Hájske waterfalls, Slovakia

Hiking trail leading to Middle waterfall, Hájske waterfalls, Slovakia

When you come by car, you can leave it somewhere in the village, there are several parking spots available for visitors. And there are few above the village as well.

The marked hiking trail leads through the road connecting Háj village with Hačava village (at the top of Hájska valley). And from this road you can turn down to the stream where you will find these waterfalls.

Hájske waterfalls in winter, Slovakia

What to see and visit around

It’s not a bad idea to come here for a longer time, there is always something to do even when you come here for several days. Right in the village you can see a high statue of Angel.

If you are fan of the movies, you could see this statue in Behind Enemy Lines movie from 2001 with Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman. Some of its parts were set in the Háj village.

Statue of Angel, Háj, Slovakia

You can climb up to the hill with the ruins of Turna Castle (follow yellow hiking trail from Háj village – it takes some 40 minutes and it is around 3 kilometers long – one way).

Turna castle, Slovakia

Or you can visit another amazing gorge in the Slovak Karst National Park. Zádiel gorge is just 1 hour from Háj village following the green hiking trail (5 kilometers). The gorge is very nice with the narrowest point of just 10 meters.

Zadiel gorge, Slovak Karst National Park, Slovakia

Another interesting place nearby is Jasov village. The village including Jasov cave, Monastery, ponds and forests around are some of the most popular places to visit in this region.

Jasov Cave, Slovakia

If you liked Hájske waterfalls you will also like the rest of Slovakia. Read about the most beautiful places to visit in Slovakia or explore more places in the National parks of Slovakia.

More pictures from Hájske waterfalls

Big waterfall in winter, Hájske waterfalls, Slovakia

Big waterfall in winter – panorama, Hájske waterfalls, Slovakia

Big waterfall from hiking trail above, Hájske waterfalls, Slovakia

Hájske waterfalls, Slovakia

Hajske waterfalls looking like small Croatian Plitvice Lakes