Havrania skala

Havrania skala (Raven Rock) is a 1,156 m summit, one of the highest in the Slovak Paradise. It stands in the southern part of the national park, about 3 km north of the village of Stratená and 7 km north of Dobšiná in the Košice Region, rising about 290 m above the village. Havrania skala lies on a broad plateau in the centre of the Slovak Paradise — geomorphologically part of the Spiš-Gemer Karst. Nearby to the west is the famous Dobšiná Ice Cave, to the south the Stratená canyon of the Hnilec river.

The massif is built of limestone. Beech forest covers the slopes, while the summit itself is rocky; to the south and south-east limestone walls drop steeply into the valley of the Veľký Zajf stream. On the plateau is a large meadow that was once grazed and mown. At the eastern foot flows the Krčmársky potok — the only significant permanent stream around, draining to the Hnilec.

Getting there / trails

• Green markings from Stratená itself through the Suchá dolina past the «Občasný prameň» junction, or from the Stratená sawmill via the Veľké a Malé Zajfy junction.
• Yellow markings from the Stratená canyon (from the south-west) or from the Veľké a Malé Zajfy junction (from the south-east).
• Polish sources also mention approaches from Dedinky via the Stratená sawmill and from Geravy.

The route has no ladders or chains, making it a quieter alternative to the park's crowded gorges. On the Suchá dolina path below the summit there is a curious phenomenon — an intermittent spring («Občasný prameň») that flows only periodically.

The view

Part of the summit is forested, part is rock with low vegetation, so the view is limited, but from open spots you can see the surrounding tops of the Slovak Paradise and the Volovské vrchy, Branisko, the Levoča Hills, the High Tatras, the eastern Low Tatras with Kráľova hoľa, the Stolické vrchy and the Revúca Highlands.

Caves

Several dozen small caves are known in the slopes of Havrania skala; some can be seen right from the paths. The Cave in Havrania skala has been a natural monument since 1994 and is freely accessible. Enter only with a torch, carefully, and do not disturb the bats.

Nearby

The Stratená canyon is the Hnilec gorge in the Stratená nature reserve. Before a tunnel was built, the main road to Horehronie and western Spiš ran through it; in the first half of the 19th century a rock gate-tunnel was cut into the limestone here. In October 1944 insurgents tried to blow it up to stop the German offensive, but the gate itself collapsed only in 1947–1948.

Safety and rules

The whole summit lies in the Slovak Paradise National Park: keep to marked trails and do not light fires. In the park's most popular gorges with ladders and chains there are entry fees and one-way traffic — check the current rules before your trip. Limestone rocks are slippery after rain, and it is easy to fall from the edge of the cliffs. Slovak Mountain Rescue Service (HZS): 18 300 (+421 18 300) or 112.

Photos: Honza Groh (Jagro), CC BY 3.0; Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0; Midnight Runner, CC BY-SA 3.0; Hagen Graebner, CC BY-SA 3.0; Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons.