Kyseľ Gorge and its waterfalls: the ferrata, Malý and Veľký Kyseľ

Kyseľ is one of the most characteristic and most visited gorges of Slovak Paradise National Park (Slovenský raj) in eastern Slovakia. The deep limestone canyon of the Kyseľ stream is cut into the Glac plateau south-west of Kláštorisko and opens into the valley of the Biely potok; in its upper part the gorge splits into Vyšný, Malý and Veľký Kyseľ. Over a relatively short distance the stream has a large fall, so a whole chain of waterfalls has formed on the rock steps – the Barikádový, Kaplnkový, Malý, Machový, Obrovský, Karolíniho and Pawlasov waterfalls and the Waterfall of Nature Conservationists. Together with Sokolia dolina and part of the Biely potok valley the gorges form the Kyseľ National Nature Reserve (since 1964, 950 ha) with beech-fir forests; because of temperature inversion, mountain and foothill plant species alternate here.

The gorge has a dramatic history. The first attempt to pass through it was made on 27 June 1900, and it was first crossed in full on 27 August 1907 – including the climb of the Obrovský waterfall. In 1925 the first ladders and footbridges appeared, and in 1927 a bypass above the Obrovský waterfall. On 16–17 July 1976 a large fire broke out at the mouth of the gorge and in one night engulfed the whole slope above it; because of the danger of falling trees and rocks the lower part of Kyseľ was closed for 40 years and the ladders by the waterfalls were dismantled. Only in August 2016 did members of the Mountain Rescue Service reopen the passage as the Ferrata HZS Kyseľ. Malý and Veľký Kyseľ remained open all along.

What to see and do

• Ferrata HZS Kyseľ – 1.4 km upstream, about 2 hours and 200 m of ascent, with many ladders and wading. The highlight is the Obrovský waterfall: ladders lead right alongside it, and from the footbridge above the fall you look down the Kyseľ valley. From the footbridge it is 10 minutes to the junction, and by continuing up the gorge you reach the last fall, the Karolíniho waterfall.
• Malý Kyseľ – a blue trail 2.2 km long (about 1 h, 220 m of ascent) with wooden footbridges and ladders; right at the start is the Malý waterfall, then the Machový waterfall, which the park counts among the most beautiful in Slovak Paradise.
• Veľký Kyseľ – a green trail of 2.2 km (about 75 min, 260 m of ascent) with the Pawlasov waterfall, the Waterfall of Nature Conservationists and the cascades in the Bariéra.

How to get there

All three passages are one-way: you walk only upstream. The quickest way to the ferrata is from Čingov: from the Čingov, centrum junction on the blue trail via the mouth of the Lesnica and the mouth of the Biely potok; the alternative is from Podlesok via Kláštorisko. To the Kyseľ junction, where Malý and Veľký Kyseľ begin, it takes about 1 h 45 min from Podlesok (via Nad Podleskom and Nad Kyseľom; trail Kyseľ, Junction – Former Forester's Lodge Glac). After Malý Kyseľ, from the Suchá Belá, záver junction back to Podlesok takes about 1 h 30 min; after Veľký Kyseľ, from the Pod Biskupskými chyžkami junction about 2 h. The car parks in Podlesok and Čingov charge fees; buses serve both. Times are from the Slovak Paradise NP administration. This is an adventure for confident walkers with older children, not a walk for prams; your feet will almost certainly get wet, so bring sturdy shoes and spare socks.

Season and safety

The ferrata is open only from 15 June to 31 October (for nature-conservation reasons); a via ferrata set (hire usually 10–20 €) and a helmet are compulsory. Ferrata entry: 5 € online, 6 € by SMS, 10 € on site (2.50 € with the regional discount for guests and residents). Malý and Veľký Kyseľ are open all year, but in winter the ladders ice up – crampons are recommended. The other gorges are subject to a fee for the use of technical facilities: 3 € (age 15–65), 2 € (children 6–15 and people over 65), free under 6; the ticket is valid that day in all gorges except Suchá Belá. As of 30 October 2026 the park listed all three passages as open with a warning of falling trees; after heavy rain the gorges are closed. Dogs only on a lead and muzzled, and a dog cannot climb the ladders; walk only on marked trails, tents only in campsites. Mountain Rescue Service – 18 300 or 112. Information as of October 2026.

Nearby

A kilometre away are the Závojový waterfall in Sokolia dolina and Kláštorisko – Carthusian Monastery Ruins; nearby are Kláštorská Gorge and its waterfalls and the Suchá Belá Gorge.

Official website: npsr.sk

Photos: Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; Ivan Judak, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons; Honza Groh, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; FOTO:Fortepan — ID 95890: Adományozó/Donor: Schermann Ákos., CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons.