The Slovensky Raj (Paradise National Park) packs a lot within its small area. An enchanting landscape with dramatic canyons, rolling meadows, some spectacular caves, crescendoing waterfalls and panoramic views from the plateaus, leave a strong impression.

Situated in East Slovakia, the national park offers nearly 300km of hiking trails. Many of these involve adventures climbing ladders, clinging to chains and crossing death defying bridges meaning that many of the trails are spirited adventures, but not restricted to just seasoned hikers.

The Dobšinská Ice Cave is in the national park. Discovered by the engineer E. Ruffinyi, the cave reaches a length of 1232m. With the entrance situated in the northern slope of the Duča hill at a height of 969m, cold air falls down into the depths and warm air can’t find a way into the cave. This leads to the cave temperature being perennially at 0oC and has led to the formation of fantastical ice monuments which have been created over the centuries.

A rock shelf known as Tomášovský výhľad is popular with climbers for the view, while tourist resorts can be found at Čingov, Podlesok and the only tourist centre inside the national park, Kláštorisko, which is also the site of the Carthusian monastery ruins.

Dobšinská Ice Cave.

Written by  John Johnston.

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