Piecky gorge – hiking paradise in the Slovak Paradise National Park

So I visited Piecky gorge in the Slovak Paradise National Park last Sunday and I must say that it was one of the best trips I’ve ever made. It was a beautiful and valuable hiking tour through one of the largest gorges of Slovak Paradise.

I enjoyed countless wooden benches, chains and ladders on the way, along with a lot of water in form of various streams, waterfalls and small ponds. And of course, pristine nature of Slovak Paradise – one of the most beautiful national parks in Slovakia!

Great waterfall and 20 meters high ladder, Piecky Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Visiting Piecky gorge

Hiking tour Podlesok – Píla-Piecky – Piecky gorge – Podlesok (14 kilometres long, 5 hours)

Piecky gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park, hiking map

• Podlesok -> Píla-Piecky – green hiking trail 4,2km (1:19h)
• Píla-Piecky -> Piecky gorge -> Piecky vrch – yellow hiking trail 3,4km (1:46h)
• Piecky vrch -> Pod vtáčim hrbom – yellow hiking trail 2,7km (50min)
• Pod vtáčim hrbom -> Podlesok – red hiking trail 3.7km (1h)

There are several options to visit Piecky gorge. I started a tour in Podlesok resort where I left my car in a parking spot for 3,-EUR/car/day. From here you just have to follow a green hiking trail leading along the small river called Veľká Biela voda. After 4,2 kilometres and about 1-hour long walk, you should come to Píla-Piecky, another small holiday resort.

Terrace waterfall, Piecky Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

And here it all starts! You are at the bottom of the Piecky gorge! Turn left and change your way from green to a yellow hiking trail and after few minutes you will find yourself in a fairytale. The land of waterfalls, crystal clear streams, rocks and old trees and strange animals that you hardly find anywhere else in the world.

The Piecky gorge is accessible only one-way, from the bottom up!

There are several major waterfalls in Piecky gorge:

1. Great Waterfall (13 meters high with around 20 meters high steep metal ladder)
2. Another waterfall is more like cascades above which are installed wooden walkways
3. Terrace waterfall (8 meters high)

From a top of Great waterfall, Piecky Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

The hiking trail leads upstream and you will definitely need high waterproof hiking boots as you’ll need to step into the water in some places during the trip. Also, the proper sole is required to avoid slipping on a wet and stony surface.

The gorge is only about 3,4 kilometres long and it takes about 2 hours to get on top of it. Although it is not demanding hiking tour, there is about 20 meters high metal ladder. So if you have a fear of heights then you should reconsider your visit. However, when I was here, around 10 years old kids were on a hike here as well and they seemed to be more fearless than I was. 🙂

Wooden walkways and chains, Piecky Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

The second part of the tour continues through the wonderful pine forest back down to Podlesok. There are several accommodation options here, including camping, wooden cottages or even a ranch. And on the next day, you can continue your Slovak Paradise discovery in any of several other gorges, such as Suchá Belá gorge, Veľký Sokol gorge, Prielom Hornádu canyon and others (all of them start in Podlesok).

And as you already are in the most beautiful part of Slovakia it would be a pity not to visit other great places in Kosice region or adjacent Presov region.

Metal stairs and chains in Piecky gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park