If you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure in the Tatra Mountains, the Kysel Valley in the Slovak Paradise is the perfect destination. Before we dive into the details of this amazing place, here are some important things you need to know.
- Parking fee: €3, Entry to the Slovak Paradise: €1.5
- Make sure to have insurance, as injuries are quite common here
- The Kysel trail is one-way
- For information on other valleys and the Slovak Paradise, click here
Let me say, Kysel Valley might be the most unlucky valley in the entire Slovak Paradise. It took seven years and several attempts before it was finally conquered in 1907. Despite having facilities installed, it was only opened to the public in 1975, but closed again the following season for another 40 years. A massive fire had made the valley unstable and unsafe:
Visitors could only take a short walk along the yellow trail in an untouched part of the ravine leading to the second highest waterfall in Paradise, the Obrovský waterfall. Check out the maps for Velky Kysel here and Small Kysel here.
Kysel Rajska Ferrata – Great Adventure
The valley’s natural beauty was too captivating to be left unexplored, so the authorities of the Slovak Paradise decided to restore the inaccessible section. Thus, the Kysel Rajska Ferrata was born. Open from June 15 to the end of October, this short ferrata is neither too easy nor too difficult. Rated C on a five-point difficulty scale (A to E), it’s the perfect middle ground for adventurers.
Note! There's an additional €5 fee for the route, and as far as I know, tickets can only be purchased at the Park reception in Podlesok. If you need to rent a ferrata kit, it's available for €10.
Kysel Valley Trail Description of the Trip
Duration: 1h 18min, Distance: 3.1km, Ascent: 327m + Return approx. 2 hours
As you venture through the Kysel Gorge, you’ll notice it splits into two distinct sections: Small and Velky Kysel. There’s a convenient access point from Klastorisk that will take you no more than 45 minutes. And if you’re up for it, you can take a short detour along the yellow trail to the mesmerizing Obrovský waterfall. Once you’re back from the loop, you can continue exploring either gorge. I believe Velky Kysel is more interesting overall.
In the heart of Velky Kysel, you’ll come across three beautiful waterfalls: Pawlasov Vodopád, Vodopád Ochrancov prírody, and Vodopád v Barikáde. This relaxing route should take just over an hour (2.1km – 1:09h). On the other hand, Maly Kysel is a similar length, but you’ll complete it a bit faster. At the beginning of the gorge, on the right side, you’ll find the captivating Machový Vodopád (2.2km – 1:02h).
It’s worth mentioning that Kysel Valley is considered an internal ravine (internal gorge), so it takes some time to reach. In our itinerary featured on the Slovak Paradise page, we’ve combined this valley with a visit to the Piecky Gorge. Trust me, if you want to fully experience the wonders of the Slovak Paradise, exploring the Kysel Valley trail is a must-do adventure.
References:
- https://www.npsr.sk/en/hiking/194/kysel-ferrata
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovak_Paradise
