National park · Slovakia
Slovak Paradise National ParkNárodný park Slovenský Raj
Spend a day on a ladder‑filled gorge hike (e.g., Kyseľ) for €5 entry, or a longer multi‑day trek with a guide; avoid July‑August crowds by starting early.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
197 km² (76 sq mi)76 sq mi (197 km²)
approximate
Established
1988
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Slovakia ↗Slovakia is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Slovakia ↗Motorways and expressways need an electronic vignette bought before you drive on them.
- Slovakia ↗Many high trails in Tatra National Park close seasonally (roughly November to mid-June); check the park's current closures before planning a hike.
At a glance
- Country
- Slovakia
- Area
- 197 km² (76 sq mi)76 sq mi (197 km²)
- Approximate; official sources give around 197 km².
- Established
- 1988
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Slovak Paradise National Park offers ladder‑filled gorge hikes, waterfalls and diverse wildlife in a protected mountain landscape. Entry costs €5 for gorge access; longer treks need a guide. Visit in summer for full waterfalls, but start early to avoid crowds and heat.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteProtected as a Slovak national park.
Size and age
197 km² (76 sq mi)76 sq mi (197 km²) · national park since 1988
Approximate; official sources give around 197 km².
Why go
- Ladders and waterfalls in steep gorges.
- Well‑marked trails with varied difficulty.
- Rich wildlife including bears and golden eagles.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but quiet.
- FebSnowy scenery.
- MarMelting snow, fewer hikers.
- AprSpring flow, mild.
- MayFull waterfalls, warm.
- JunLong days, good weather.
- JulPeak crowds, possible thunderstorms.
- AugCrowds, rain.
- SepClear, fewer tourists.
- OctCool, leaf‑color.
- NovQuiet, early snow.
- DecCold, low visitor numbers.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown bear, golden eagle, black storkAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Red deer, wild boar, wolfAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Spišská Nová Ves
Train to Spišská Nová Ves, then taxi or walk 6.5 km (4 mi) to Čingov trailhead.Train to Spišská Nová Ves, then taxi or walk 4 mi (6.5 km) to Čingov trailhead.
1–1.5 h
From Košice
Train to Spišská Nová Ves, then taxi to Čingov.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Poprad
Bus 810438/810436 (summer) to Podlesok, then walk 1.3 km (0.8 mi) to trailhead.Bus 810438/810436 (summer) to Podlesok, then walk 0.8 mi (1.3 km) to trailhead.
1 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Čingov | Main trailhead, parking, visitor info. | Open year‑round. |
| Prielom Hornadu | Steep gorge with ladders and ferrata. | Ticket required. |
| Kyseľ ravines | Series of gorges (Malý, Veľký, Dolný). | Open with entry ticket. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points of main features.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (gorge sections) | EUR 5 (≈ US$6) | person | Covers ferrata and ladder sections. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Ferrata access permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.
- Guides
- Required for ferrata sections and any off‑trail routes.
- Camping
- Not permitted inside the park; use designated huts or nearby villages.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use stoves only.
- Pets
- Dogs on leash only on marked paths.
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotel Flora (Čingov)
Rooms ~€35 per night; close to trailhead.
Near the park
Turistický Raj chalets
Simple cabins at Prielom Hornadu base.
Near the park
Podlesok guesthouse
Budget rooms, restaurant on site.
Safety
Steep ladders and slippery rocks medium
Getting lost on off‑trail sections high
Thunderstorms in summer medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Trailhead parking and visitor centre are car‑accessible.
- Most gorge routes are steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in local guesthouses; support village economies.
- Use designated bike hire and avoid littering.
- Respect wildlife; keep dogs leashed.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Slovak Paradise National Park?
Entry to the gorge sections costs €5 per person; the fee includes access to ladders and ferrata.
What are the best hikes in Slovak Paradise National Park?
Top routes are the Malý Kyseľ gorge (2–3 h), Prielom Hornadu ferrata (1.5 h), and the Green trail from Podlesok (4–5 h).
When is the best time to visit Slovak Paradise National Park?
June to September offers warm weather and full waterfalls; early May and late September are quieter.
Can I bike in the park?
Yes, downhill‑only bikes are available at Klastorisko for €5; return them to Podlesok.
Is camping allowed inside the park?
No, camping is prohibited; use nearby chalets or guesthouses.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go