Veľký Sokol gorge – Slovak nature at its best

Veľký Sokol gorge is one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Slovakia! Every gorge in the Slovak Paradise National Park is unique with some facts and this one is characterized by its greatness and length of 4.5 kilometers. Rocky walls on its both sides are up to 300 meters high. The water flowing through the gorge creates amazing waterfalls and romantic cascades making it one of the most beautiful gorges in the Slovak Paradise National Park.

Veľký Sokol gorge is situated in the central part of Slovak Paradise, on the western edge of the Glac plateau. This area is one of the best preserved parts of the Slovak Paradise National Park. It is protected by the highest level of environmental protection.

Small waterfall and high ladder, Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

What to see in Veľký Sokol gorge

The gorge is formed by the forest complexes with primeval character on some places. Veľký Sokol is a great example of a thermal inversion. Restricted parts are home to large carnivores – the brown bear, wolf and Eurasian lynx.

Large waterfall, Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

In 1956, the members of the mountain rescue service assembled the first metal ladders in the gorge. The wildest part of the gorge is named after Martin Roth, famous mountain climber, who was a pioneer of tourism in the Slovak Paradise National Park.

He participated in almost all of discovery tours. He has a memorial plaque at the beginning of Roth’s gorge.

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Visitor information

Veľký Sokol gorge is accessible all year round from Hrabušice – Píla. Romantic cascades and roaring waterfalls are changing into icefalls in winter. The whole valley is then covered with lots of snow.

Ladders, bridges, benches, steps, chains and other equipment make the gorge accessible also to less experienced hikers. Follow yellow-marked hiking trail starting at its bottom in Hrabušice – Píla to the top of the Glac plateau.

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Limitations

Veľký Sokol gorge as well as other parts of the Slovak Paradise National Park have strict rules. Hiking is available only on marked hiking trails.

Hiking through the gorges is possible only from the bottom to their tops.

Some more pictures

Here are some more pictures I taken on my trip to this amazing gorge on August 8, 2015. And if you like it you will probably also like other Top places to visit in Slovakia.

Click on the picture to enlarge.

Guidepost in Hrabušice, Slovak Paradise National Park

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Veľký Sokol Gorge, Slovak Paradise National Park

Getting back down to Hrabušice – Píla, guidepost in Slovak Paradise National Park

Getting back down to Hrabušice – Píla, hiking trail in Slovak Paradise National Park

Hrabušice old cottage – Slovak Paradise National Park

Crystal clear water in Hrabušice, Slovak Paradise National Park