What to do in Slovak Paradise – Ferrata HZS Kyseľ (What to expect)

I have always wanted to visit Slovak Paradise, one of the most beautiful areas of Slovakia and the Spiš region. This unique piece of nature got its name due to its rare natural values and beauties.

It consists of preserved karst plains, deeply cut river canyons, gorges and gorges with magical waterfalls, the vast underground world of caves and abysses likewise the richly represented fauna and flora.

In this blog post, I focus mainly on a very popular trail in Slovak Paradise named Ferrata HZS Kyseľ. How to get there, what is good to take with you and how to prepare for this challenging tour. Keep reading and enjoy it.

Where to start and how to prepare for a hike

The best access point for this hike is Camp Podlesok. If you want to stay here for a night, I highly recommend this camp not only for the beautiful nature around but also for the good price and value.

Camp Podlesok – Slovak Paradise

Here you can find a fireplace, public spaces such as a kitchen and toilets, and a lot of spots for a tent or a van. Furthermore, they have even nice cottages for 5 to 12 people. You need a Ferrata setif you do not own one. At the reception they can lend you one for € 10 .

Useful information

Via Ferrata Kyseľ is open from June 15 to October 31. The entry fee is € 5 which you can pay at Podlesok Camp and also at Klaštorisko. The Ferrata set includes a helmet, a fall arrester and a seat. I recommend you take gloves so that your hands do not suffer for 2 hours on the way up. Also, take with you dry socks because the hike through the valley is up the stream and you do not want your feet to get wet.

Now let’s take a look at how to get to starting point of Kyseľ gorge.

Trial from Podlesok through Kláštorská Kotlina to Kláštorisko

We start in Podlesok, and follow the blue sign all the way up to Hrdlo Hornádu. It takes just 20 minutes walking from Podlesok with no elevation. Sometimes a person might sit here and charge you an entry fee to the gorge, but don’t worry it is just € 1.5.

Prielom Hornádu

Prielom Hornadú gorge is 16 km long, but we are going only a few kilometers up to the mouth of the Kláštorská valley still following the blue sign. The gorge is full of forest paths along the river, bridges and footbridges across it. Ladders and wooden steps and, of course, iron treads on the rocks above the Hornád river are included too. The elevation gain is barely 50 meters.

Kláštorská Kotlina

We approach the mouth of the Kláštorská gorge and from now on we are climbing up towards Kláštorisko through this beautiful valley following the green sign. As we climb this valley along the way, we see beautiful waterfalls and climb many ladders, not to mention the wild nature around us.

Rainbow waterfall in Slovak paradise Leader in Klaštorská gorge Klaštorská gorge

Kláštorisko

After one hour we come to Kláštorisko, where you can get refreshments or grab a cup of coffee or a glass of cold beer. Not to mention an open view of our majestic High Tatras. Up here you can use public toilets and lend a bike for a way down.

From Kláštorisko we continue along the yellow sign down to the mouth of the Kyseľ valley. It is only half an hour with an elevation gain of 200 meters. Please be careful it is quite steep.

Via Ferrata Kyseľ Slovak Paradise

Now it is time to dress up. We have borrowed a Ferrata set which is required for this hike. Don’t worry about that, the person who checks the tickets helps you to equip the seat and likewise gives you all the instructions you need. And of course, he will also give you advice and safety instructions. Let the fun begin!

The official difficulty grade is C, but no worries, this hike is not advanced at all. I would say that the real difficulty is mostly A, occasionally B. The most difficult part is when you climb up next to the Huge Waterfall. To give you an idea, you can hike with small children aged around 7 and they should handle it.

As you can see in the pictures, the beginning of the Ferrata is a bit above the ground and it forces you to learn to safely insure yourself. When you walk above the iron stairs you are not in any danger at all. Not saying about wet socks.

Barricade waterfall (Barikádový vodopád)

The first stop is the Barricade waterfall, a small and hidden waterfall under the tons of fallen wood caused by steep slopes of the gorge. It was created by big fires in Kyseľ long ago. The Waterfall is marked because otherwise you won’t be able to notice it.

Smokehouse (Udiareň)

After overcoming the waterfall, an interesting phenomenon appears on the right side, the so-called Smokehouse. It is a tall, naturally occurring chimney where the first people were settled in the past. The smokehouse naturally removed the harmful smoke from the fire in the cave.

Dungeon (Temnica)

Personally, I like Dungeon the most. The waterfall passes through a narrow gorge, the walls are muddy and damp, and you seem to be trapped in such a narrow space. At the narrowest point of the Dungeon, you have to go one step above the waterfall from one side to the other, moreover, it is the narrowest place on the entire hike.

Chapel waterfall (Kaplnkový vodopád)

The Chapel Waterfall follows – this is said to have remained the most changed after the fire. Originally a majestic waterfall. As a matter of fact, it was buried under huge deposits of rubble and tree trunks from the fire.

Huge waterfall (Obrovský vodopád)

Followed by the Huge waterfall, which you bypass from the left with footsteps to the great height of the entire waterfall. This is the hardest section of the whole hike, as you have to ascend almost 20 altitude meters and still be secured. But this part is also the most beautiful and I enjoyed it the most.

Karolíny’s waterfall (Karolínyho vodopád)

Now we feel like we have passed the whole gorge, but after a short walk along the river Kyseľ, beautiful Karolíny’s waterfall show up. This is the last opportunity of taking the last pictures as  this is the end of our hike. Please pay attention, the Ferrata route is one-way only, from the bottom up!

Slovak Paradise – Ferrata Kyseľ conclusion

This is one of the most beautiful walks I’ve ever seen. Just try to hike it and you will not be disappointed. In the middle of rocks and wildlife, you will feel like in totally untouched nature and wilderness. I also recommend getting up as early as possible, because there used to be a lot of people, especially during the summer and weekends. I hope you enjoy the tour as much as I do and see you there!

Here is the map of our full day trip.

You can make your own hike More photos from my journeys here More stories from Slovakia here

What to do in Slovak Paradise – Suchá Belá (The most romantic gorge)

Are you also looking for other activities and tours to spend the next few days in the Slovak paradise? Read about the most romantic gorge in Slovak Paradise.

In this blog post, I will focus mainly on one of the most romantic gorges of Slovak Paradise. The history of the tourist discovery of Suchá Belá begins in 1900 and up today is still looking gorgeous (no pun intended). Keep reading and find out more.

What to do in Slovak Paradise – Suchá Belá (The most romantic gorge)