Slovak Paradise

The Slovak Paradise Natinal Park is situated in the east of Slovakia. Unique, creeky terrain karst-area with several water-washed cliffs, valleys, canyons and highlands rich in karst formations. Thanks to its exceptional natural and aethetical value the Slovak Paradise was declared National Park in 1988, out of its 19 763 hectare land 13 011 is strictly protected.

If you want to go on a tour to the Slovak Paradise, please read our advices and important information !

The Slovak Paradise in the morning		Predná hol'a - the highest peak of the National park (1546m) with the High-Tátra in the background.

Slovak Paradise and the Low-Tatra

Important Information

The difficulty of the tours:

Most walking-tours can be walked through with an average sporty condition. The tours of the Slovak Paradise are physically not fatiguing, but the self-confident coordination is essential.

The transverse valley's tours can be walked only one-way, which means there is no possibility of turning back. The touring here is aided by the metal ladders and chains that are fixed to the rock-wall and sometimes 10 - 20m high and lead by waterfalls.

You don't need any special equipment if you want to tour in the Slovak Paradise, however, you need to have some touring experience.

The Slovak Paradise's touring routes are open for everyone, thousands come to the romantic canyons and valleys (even children), accidents are rare.

Those who have never been on such tours, or if they haven't had to climb ladders during an excursion, ask advice from experienced excursioners or ask the tour-guide about the tour, because there are different tours for different skill level and duration, thus one can choose the best tour concerning physical ability.

Equipment that is necessary

Small backpack for daily trips, heavy-duty touring clothes, warm clothes, polar-jacket, raincoat, raintrousers, comfortable touring-boots, flashlight, flask

The most practical is to bring raincoats and raintrousers that is made of so-called breathing (such as Gore-Tex) material. We indeed emphasize the importance of a good quality raincoat and raintrousers - please pay strict attention to that by all means!

Put on touring-boots that you use regularly. If you have new ones, then try them out before you go on an excursion lest it should chafe your foot during the trip! If you are aware that your knees are sensitive to great descensions, then bring a pair of folding touring-sticks!

Food: Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be ordered at the pension.

Drinking water: In Slovakia the pipe-water is drinkable, but in some cases we can by bottled water. One and a half litre costs 200 HUF.

Medicine: bring along some basic medicine: painkillers, febrifuge, antispasmodic, laxative, medicine for flu/cold/sore throat, wound-disinfecting potion. You can also bring a fever-thermometer, some band-aids and a bandage.

Weather: The Low-Tatra is characterized by changeable weather: in spring and in autumn the temperature of the air is between 15 and 20 degrees, however in greater hights there is only 5-6 degrees. The wet valleys of the Slovak Paradise get only a few hours of sunshine daily, so cold is expectable there ( 5 - 6 degrees in the valleys). The peaks are covered by snow in late autumn and in the end of spring.

Elelctricity: connectors accordant to the Hungarian standard, 220V 50Hz. The batteries of the videocams and mobile phones can be charged at our accomodation.

Visa, Passport: In order to pass the border Hungarian citizens need to show their documents that prove their identity, such as passport, ID or the latest driving license.

Currency: 1 corona (SK) = approx. 6,5 Ft (HUF)

Regulations, that are important to keep to!

1. Before every planned tour ask the tour-guide about the weather conditions or the current restrictions (water conditions, closed areas.etc)
2. If you go on a bike-tour learn about the routes designated for this purpose
3. You should begin your tour with a group of 8 or less persons.
4. During the tour always use the designated path and be courteous.
5. Always stay on the designated path, do not take a shortcut or look for a shorter path, this way you won't damage the environment and make a new path.
6. Be careful to walk on the ridge side of the path, thus erosion won't damage the path, it stays aclinal and walking on it will be more comfortable!
7. Do not litter, warn the others about it and show a good example!
8. Don't tear out plants and don't plant new ones
9. Don't disturb the wild animals (don't shout, don't make loud noise), observe them from as far as possible
10. If you take a dog with you, always keep him on leash!