Slovak Paradise National Park – best places to visit

Planning your holidays in Slovakia? So let’s head straight to the Slovak Ore Mountains. In its northeastern part you can find its most beautiful area – Slovak Paradise National Park. Three hundred kilometres of hiking trails take you through impressive canyons and gorges, in which you will find a lazily flowing rivers and streams that create wonderful waterfalls.

Metal ladders or grids are here to help you pass through the certain sections of the hiking trails. They will give your trips a great touch of adventure.

Velky Sokol gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park, Slovakia

Yet there is nothing to worry about because no extreme climbing performance is waiting for you here and the majority of the hiking trails are easily accessible and suitable even for young children. However, to be in a good form is highly recommended as some tours can be even several hours long.

Most of the territory of the Slovak Paradise is covered by forests, which have become home to a wide range of animals. The most famous inhabitants are the brown bear, wolf and lynx.

Stratená, Slovak Paradise National Park, Slovakia

But don’t be afraid, they live in inaccessible parts and thus it is very unlikely that you will meet some of them during your trip. You will rather be accompanied by butterflies, birds and hares, and with luck, you can even catch a glimpse of an otter basking.

Thanks to this diversity of animal and plant species, Slovak Paradise became the first protected area in Slovakia already in 1964, and 24 years later it was declared a national park.

Tourists in Prielom Hornadu, Slovak Paradise National Park, Slovakia by Honza Groh

Best places to visit in Slovak Paradise National Park

The concentration of the karst caves is here the largest from all over Slovakia. Of the three hundred of discovered underground caves only Dobšinská Ice cave is open to the public.

It boasts the title of the first electrically lit cave in the world. Today you can go on the guided tour which is one kilometre long. When looking at the beautiful ice decoration you will see why it was inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List.

Dobšinská ice cave, Sovak Paradise National Park, Slovakia by dariusz woźniak

Ideal starting points for your hiking adventures are villages of Čingov, Podlesok, Hrabušice or Dedinky. The trails take you through some of the most popular places such as Suchá Belá gorge, Prielom Hornádu Canyon, Veľký Sokol gorge or Kláštorisko.

You can admire the highest waterfall in the Slovak Paradise National Park, Závojový waterfall which is 70 meters high. Tomášovský výhľad offers great view of the valley with the High Tatras mountains in the background.

Suchá Belá gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park, Slovakia by Mr. Theklan

The shortest and one of the easiest accessible gorges in the Slovak Paradise is Zejmarská gorge. Here you can get from Dedinky or Mlynky – Biele Vody.

For higher security, trails through the gorges are one-way only. When planning a trip do not forget to take the appropriate footwear.

Tomášovský výhľad, Slovak Paradise National Park, Slovakia by Jerzy Opioła

Accommodation tips in the Slovak Paradise National Park

There are lots of accommodation options in the Slovak Paradise National Park. As I am a fan of campings and unique accommodation options I could recommend you two campsites.

One of them is in Dedinky village, the centre of Slovak Paradise. This campsite is situated on the hill and offers great views of the lake and mountains. Instead of luxury, you will find amazing surroundings here.

Dedinky village with water reservoir and forests around, Slovak Paradise National Park, Slovakia

However when it comes to more hiking options, then campsite in Podlesok has a better position, as there are lots of hiking trails starting from here.

But if you are looking for some really unique accommodation, you like horses and would like to try riding a horse around the national park, you can stay in Ranch U Trapera. The ranch is located in Podlesok and the prices are really good (32€ double room/night, 12€ horse ride/hour).

Ranch U Trapera, Podlesok, Slovak Paradise National Park, Slovakia

Did you like Slovak Paradise National Park? Slovakia has 8 additional national parks that are equally beautiful. Explore Slovak National Parks and their best places here!

Závojový waterfall, Slovak Paradise National Park, Slovakia by Silvio Pašmik