HZS Slovak Paradise regional centre

The Slovak Paradise National Park in the north-east of the Slovak Ore Mountains: the Suchá Belá, Piecky, Veľký Sokol and Kyseľ gorges, the Hornád canyon, the Glac, Geravy and Pelc karst plateaus; highest point Predná hoľa (1,545 m).

Mountain emergency — Slovakia18 300 · 11218 300 — Slovak Mountain Rescue Service emergency line (operations centre), 24/7; 112 — single European emergency number

Contacts HZS Slovenský raj

HZS Slovak Paradise regional centreOblastné stredisko HZS Slovenský rajHeadquarters: Čingov 26, 052 01 Spišské Tomášovce, SlovakiaOfficial website: hzs.sk/slovensky-raj
Get directions

The Slovak Paradise regional centre of the Mountain Rescue Service (Oblastné stredisko HZS Slovenský raj) is at Čingov near Spišská Nová Ves. It rescues people in the Slovak Paradise National Park — a land of karst plateaus, deep canyons and gorges with ladders, chains and footbridges over waterfalls. It was the Slovak Paradise mountain service that in 1974 completed the trail through the Hornád canyon, which still bears its name. Most call-outs here are injuries on ladders and slippery footbridges and people lost in the gorges.

How to call for help

Dial the HZS emergency line 18 300 or 112. The best way is the official HZS app: one button connects you to the operations centre and sends your exact location, and with a weak signal you can use its chat. Say where you are and what happened, how many people are hurt and how badly, and give a call-back number. Keep your phone on.

Area and stations

The centre covers the whole Slovak Paradise: the Suchá Belá, Piecky, Veľký and Malý Sokol and Kyseľ gorges, the Hornád canyon and the Glac, Geravy, Pelc and Skala karst plateaus. Its main base is the regional centre at Čingov.

Good to know

  • Rescue in Slovakia is charged: the person rescued pays for search and transport, while medical care is covered by health insurance. Minors are exempt. Buy mountain insurance before you set out.
  • Before a hike, log it in the electronic hike book in the HZS app: the evening before it sends warnings for your area, and if you don't check back, rescuers will come looking.
  • Before setting out, read the current HZS warnings and mountain conditions for your area: they are published on the service's website and in the app together with the weather forecast.
  • In the national park the gorges may only be walked upwards, against the stream — descending the ladders is not allowed.

Stations and bases

Unit and addressPhonesDirections
HZS Slovak Paradise — ČingovČingov 26, Spišské Tomášovce
Get directions

Map of the stations

Official apps

  • Horská záchranná služba (HZS) — Official HZS app: one-button call for help sending your GPS location to 18 300, chat (with automatic translation) when the signal is weak, 'Guardian Angel', an electronic hike log, avalanche warnings and mountain insurance. Verify your phone number in the app in advance.

Is the rescue free

Since 1 July 2006, under the Act on the Mountain Rescue Service, anyone in a Slovak mountain area must pay the HZS for the costs of rescue or search concerning them. This does not apply to minors or persons without legal capacity. Medical care is covered by health insurance, while the 'technical intervention' (search, extrication, transport) is paid by the person rescued, whether or not they were at fault. The HZS therefore advises mountain insurance, which can also be bought in the HZS app.

Other mountain rescue services: Slovakia

Last updated: 3 November 2026. Numbers checked against the services' official websites (sources below). If a number does not answer, call 112.

Sources (6)