Where to go on a trip Palcmanská Maša

Palcmanská Maša is located in Slovenský raj and is its largest water reservoir. The village of Dedinky spans the shores of the dam. Although tourists are primarily interested in the recreational use of the reservoir, its main purpose is collecting water for the Dobšiná hydroelectric power plant and regulating the flow of the Hnilec river. Over time, Palcmanská Maša also acquired environmental importance. Fish farming facilities are located here, and this environment fed by the waters of Hnilec and mountain streams enables the breeding of brook trout and rainbow trout. This is also why the water reservoir is a popular fishing grounds.

In summer, the dam is especially popular for water sports and boating. Swimming is also possible, but you should keep in mind that it is one of the coldest reservoirs in Slovakia. Thanks to its popularity among tourists, accommodation and restaurant facilities were gradually established in the area, so during your stay near Palcmanská Maša, it will be easy for you to secure a quick snack as well as a full lunch. In the village of Dedinky, boat, paddleboat, and classic bicycle rentals are available for those who want to get to know the surrounding area better.

Whether on a bicycle or on foot, tourists have a wide choice of diverse routes to set off on from the water reservoir. The long loop trail around the dam is 10 km long, starting in the village of Dedinky, passing through Stratená píla, Stratená, the Pod Čižmou intersection, Dobšinská Maša, and back to Dedinky. In the village of Stratená, a wheelchair-accessible educational trail called Stratenský kaňon has been established.

During a stay in this area, a walk to Zejmarská roklina with Nálepkove vodopády waterfalls is recommended. You can also admire other waterfalls in the vicinity, including Korytový vodopád, Dúhový vodopád, or Závojový vodopád. Do not miss a visit to Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa, while the more adventurous can tackle Ferrata Kyseľ. If you are heading to Národný park Slovenský raj for skiing, in the immediate vicinity of Palcmanská Maša you will find several ski resorts: Dedinky, Mlynky - Biele Vody, or Kruhová - Gugeľ.

People do not visit Slovenský raj for just one-day trips; it is recommended to stay longer and explore as much as possible. Therefore, you will need comfortable accommodation where you can lay your head after a day of hiking. You don't have to go far from Palcmanská Maša for accommodation at all. In the village of Dedinky, several apartments and cottages are available, while Mlynky also offers guesthouses or private accommodation.

Skiing is fun for many, a sport for others, and for some, just a part of the day where they can completely disconnect from everyday worries. The smaller ski resort Biele Vody Mlynky, better known as Ski Biele Vody, is precisely the kind of place where all of this can be fulfilled. It is located in the south of Slovenský raj, combining pleasant surroundings (in the form of breathtaking nature) with usefulness (in the form of skiing).

In Lyžiarske stredisko Mlynky - Biele Vody, you will find one slope with a length of 450 meters. Its surface is regularly maintained, snowed, and groomed so that you can enjoy this sport to your heart's content. Within the resort, you can ride up on two ski lifts with lengths of 150 m and 400 m, which are particularly suitable for beginners, snowboarders, or mostly families with children.

If you do not have your own sports equipment such as skis, sleds, or other gear, do not despair. Right in the resort, you can use the ski and snowboard rental and service shop. Would you rather own your own? Then buy them in the store next to the resort. If you have not stood on skis for a while or want to learn, a ski school and ski kindergarten are available at the resort.

A snack bar is located by the slope, where kind and friendly staff will serve you. If you come during Saturday at a time when the sun is long below the horizon, you will be pleased by the option of evening skiing. Such skiing has a different atmosphere than during the day. You can reach the resort directly from the village of Mlynky. Park your car in the nearby parking lot and start your day with a ski run. It will be best for you to have booked accommodation near Lyžiarske stredisko Mlynky - Biele Vody.

It doesn't work without a good accommodation tip. The village of Mlynky offers many accommodation facilities where they will welcome you warmly with a smile on their face. Choose a room in a pension in Mlynky or visit private accommodation. Perhaps with the latter, the hosts will recommend interesting attractions in the village and its surroundings. An easy walk to Nálepkové vodopády is always a pleasure. The beauties of Národný park Slovenský raj are fascinating, and it is time to start discovering them even after a blanket of snow falls.

Nálepkove vodopády represent a system of waterfalls in Zejmarská roklina gorge in the southern part of Slovenský raj. The waterfall system is about 22 meters high, with the tallest of them estimated at 6 meters. The beauty of Nálepkovy vodopády stands out most during the spring thaw or after heavy rains. In winter, on the other hand, the waterfalls freeze, creating beautiful icefalls.

Zejmarská roklina, with a length of 800 meters, is the shortest gorge in Slovenský raj, but at the same time, it is one of the most beautiful and less demanding to cross. Nevertheless, you need to account for everything typical of this area, metal footpegs, ladders, and wooden bridges. Zejmarská roklina and the waterfalls are part of the circular educational trail NCH Slovenský raj. The trail starts in the village of Dedinky, is almost 10 km long, and the walk takes approximately 3 hours. It is recommended to complete the route only in dry weather.

Nálepkovy vodopády are named after Captain Ján Nálepka, a hero of World War II, who worked as a teacher in the village of Mlynky - Biele Vody before the war. He sympathized with Masaryk's ideas; in 1939, he was first demobilized, later recalled to the army, and sent to the Russian front. There he participated in anti-partisan operations. In reality, however, Nálepka cooperated with the partisans under the code name Repkin, supplying them with information and reporting fictitious numbers of killed insurgents to the Germans. Eventually, with part of his regiment, he defected to the partisans under the leadership of General Saburov. In May 1943, the 1st Czecho-Slovak Partisan Unit in the USSR was formed this way.

If you stay in this area, we also recommend visiting other tourist destinations. The location can boast other waterfalls such as Korytový, Skalný, or Závojový. Medvedia jaskyňa cave or Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa ice cave may also catch your interest. The Palcmanská Maša water reservoir is made for summer recreation, while in winter, fun is provided by the ski resorts Mlynky - Biele Vody, Kruhová - Gugeľ, or Dedinky

If you decide on accommodation near Nálepkovy vodopády, you will certainly have plenty to choose from. In Mlynky, you can look for apartments, guest houses, and cottages. There is also a good selection in the village of Dedinky, where cottages and chalets are the most widespread. You can also try your luck in Dobšiná.

The Ski Gugel Mlynky ski resort, also known under the name Kruhová – Gugeľ, is located in the beautiful environment of Národný park Slovenský raj, in the village of Mlynky. Waiting for you here are six artificially snowed slopes and three ski lifts that provide comfort without lengthy waiting in lines.

The ski resort is situated at an altitude of 730 m, approximately 30 km from Spišská Nová Ves. Beginner skiers and children can ski on two slopes marked in blue, which symbolizes easy difficulty. The "Detská" slope is 150 m long and the "Turistická" slope is 1,400 m. For experienced skiers, there are three medium-difficulty slopes marked in red. The "Letná studňa" slope is 900 m long, "Zimná studňa" is 700 m, and the "Komín" slope is exactly 1,000 m. For pro skiers, the "Koleso – free ride" slope with a length of 700 m is prepared, marked in black, which means heavy difficulty.

Comfortable transport on the slopes is provided by 3 ski lifts. The POMA H300 lift with a length of 780 m and a transport capacity of 900 people/hour, the VL500 lift with a length of 637 m and a transport capacity of 450 people/hour, and the S1 lift, whose length is 150 m and transport capacity is 250 people/hour. Part of the Mlynky – Kruhová ski resort is also a snow park, sledding tracks, and racing courses. Skilled specialists at the sports equipment service shop will check or repair your gear, and two snack bars will take care of your hungry stomachs. Upon entry, every skier commits to following the rules of behavior and consideration at the resort, the so-called White Code (Biely kódex).

After great skiing, enjoy the warmth of the fireplace in one of the charming chalets. If you like "full service", stay at Penzión Salamander, which will pleasantly surprise you with its low prices and high quality of provided services. You can find the entire range of accommodation in the vicinity of the Kruhová – Gugeľ ski resort on our page accommodation in Mlynky. In the nearby village of Stratená, the breathtaking Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa cave awaits you, enchanting you with its magnificent ice decoration. We believe that you will enjoy your winter vacation in the village of Mlynky to the fullest and return home satisfied and rested.

Caves attract many tourists. Their beauty and mystery, normally hidden from our sight, can take your breath away. Imagine a place where sunlight does not reach—a realm of mythical gnomes. A fairytale idea. We will take you to just such a place. And even something more. Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa is a crystal-clear kingdom frozen in eternal ice.

Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa is far from ordinary. Unique is its ice decoration as well as its location. Compared to other ice caves, the cave is situated at a lower altitude. Due to all these unique features, it is inscribed on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List. And not just anything makes it onto this list.

You will find the cave near the village of Stratená in the cadastral area of the town of Dobšiná. It lies on the main route between Poprad and Rožňava in a beautiful environment near Slovenský raj. When you arrive in Stratená, you will certainly look forward to the tour. And indeed, there is much to look forward to. Expectation will be raised by an educational trail leading to the entrance of the cave. On the way, you will pass 5 information boards that will familiarize you with the nature of Slovenský raj, its gorges, as well as its plants and animals. In front of the cave, there are additional information panels full of engaging facts focused directly on Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa.

The cave did not always have the grand name known today; locals used to nickname it "ice hole" due to the cold spreading from it. The first explorers entered its depths in 1870, and just a year later it was opened to the public. It thus became one of the earliest opened caves in the world. Definitive electric lighting was installed in the cave in 1887. An interesting fact is that public ice skating was permitted here for a certain period.

The length of the route accessible to tourists is 515 meters of icy magnificence. A half-hour tour will show you the most precious, permanently glaciated parts of the cave, mainly Veľká sieň and Malá sieň. Prepare yourself for a considerable temperature shock; in the coldest parts of the cave, it can drop to -4 °C. So do not forget to bring warm clothing.

In the cave, you will admire not only floor ice, but also ice pillars and icefalls. Be assured that the ice in the cave has accumulated over centuries. The proof is its maximum thickness of more than 26 meters.

The surroundings of Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa are full of points of interest; the beautiful nature of Slovenský raj speaks for itself. Since this is one of the most sought-after tourist locations in Slovakia, you will have no shortage of pleasant accommodation. Pleasant small guesthouses with a family atmosphere predominate here, where you will feel right at home. The offer of chalets in the beautiful mountain environment is also varied, where you will be woken up by the chirping of birds. The environment of Dobšiná is enchanting, and rest assured that you will want to return here soon.

Where the past of Spiš meets art

Are you looking for a place where the story of the land meets human creativity and legends of ancient giants? Would you like to be surrounded by the raw beauty of a former mining quarry, where the wealth of the earth was once extracted, but today you will find peace surrounded by art?

In the village of Hnilčík in the Spiš region, you will come across the Obri v raji area, which was created by the reclamation of an industrial space. Today, instead of mining machinery, you will discover an open-air gallery where geological rock layers are complemented by installations inspired by the local mining past. The project connects history with a new vision of land use and invites you to discover the nooks and crannies of this area at your own pace.

What will you find here?

In the area, you will see a collection of sculptures and objects made from natural materials that recall the mining tradition and the ancient legend of giants. You can walk along marked paths leading through the rugged terrain of the quarry, while a playground awaits children. The space is adapted for cyclists, and during the winter months, it serves as a base for winter activities.

Who is this place suitable for?

The place is suitable for families with children, tourists, cyclists, and dog owners who seek an unconventional connection between nature and industrial history. Due to the rugged surface of the quarry, we recommend suitable footwear. Parking is possible near the designated areas.

What can you visit in the surroundings?

In the wider surroundings, you will discover the town of Spišská Nová Ves, which serves as an entrance gate to the Národný park Slovenský raj. History lovers may head to Spišský hrad. The surroundings of the village of Hnilčík offer diverse possibilities for cyclists thanks to a network of marked trails in the Volovské vrchy mountains, which are suitable for family trips as well as mountain bikes.

If you plan to stay in the region for longer, you have several accommodation options. In the village of Hnilčík and its surroundings, you will find an offer of private cottages and guesthouses that offer authentic peace in the mountains. For lovers of urban infrastructure, accommodation in nearby Spišská Nová Ves is a great choice, where you will find hotels as well as apartments suitable as a base for your trips.

Spiš is perhaps among the richest regions of our beautiful Slovakia. What wealth does it hide? You will find many cultural treasures here, such as the majestic Spišský hrad castle or historical Levoča. There are also many natural beauties dominated by Slovenský raj, one of our most popular national parks. And right next to it, you can enjoy top-quality skiing.

We have in mind the village of Hnilčík, located in close proximity to Slovenský raj. You will find it approximately 18 km south of Spišská Nová Ves, the cultural center of Spiš. Hnilčík is characterized by beautiful surroundings and lies deep in the mountains, which are extremely attractive mainly for tourists. Thanks to its rugged terrain, it also favors skiers, who will come into their own in the local area of Ráztoky, at the Mraznica ski resort.

The Mraznica ski resort is a year-round popular recreational center. In winter, its gates welcome the broadest range of skiers, as it is designed for everyone—from absolute beginners to active sports skiers.

The Ski Mraznica complex spans an altitude range of 705 to 1035 meters above sea level. This elevation difference guarantees excellent skiing even for demanding skiers. In the lower part of the resort, there is a short, approximately 100-meter-long slope for beginner skiers and children. The gentle incline will not scare anyone, and learning the art of skiing will be fun.

Intermediate skiers will enjoy themselves on the main slope, where you can experience a relaxed yet brisk ride. Advanced skiers have also been kept in mind, with a black section of the trail prepared for them. It represents a challenge and an experience especially for those who feel even better on skis than off them.

Comfortable transport within the resort is provided by a trio of ski lifts. One of them is a children's lift located in the lower part of the resort for beginner skiers. The length of the local slopes is also pleasing. The longest of them measures up to 1,100 meters, which is truly a generous portion of great skiing. The total length of all trails is just under 2 km.

At the Mraznica ski resort near the village of Hnilčík, you will find more than just high-quality skiing conditions. Many additional services at the resort ensure an even better holiday experience. Naturally, ski equipment rental and service are available. In close proximity to the lifts is another attraction: an ice rink equipped with artificial lighting. After skiing, you can play hockey here at your leisure or simply go ice skating. For cross-country skiing enthusiasts, several interesting cross-country loops are available, one of which passes along the edge of the slope. Add to all this a stylish tea room located right by the lift with a wide selection of teas and meals, and you have a great tip for a winter holiday.

The Mraznica sports and recreation area satisfies everyone when it comes to quality accommodation as well. Right by the lift is a stylish mountain cabin that welcomes families with children as well as couples eager for a skiing getaway. A bit further, in the village of Hnilčík, there are further accommodation options in private rentals or cottages. This is affordable yet cozy accommodation that will satisfy anyone seeking peace and relaxation in beautiful mountain surroundings.

Banský skanzen is built in the village of Hnilčík, in the spišskonovoveský okres district. Like many others, this village was once ranked among the mining villages of the southern Spiš region. The open-air museum was established in 2012 on the initiative of a local civic association. The museum is a declared Národná kultúrna pamiatka.

The open-air museum consists of three parts: the museum exhibition, the Štôlňa Ľudmila adit, and educational montane trails. The museum exhibition, located in the premises of the former school in the Jerohuta local part, is divided into thematic units. These focus on the history of the village of Hnilčík, ethnography and the material heritage of ancestors, geological structure and wildlife, the history of mining, and the processing of local ores. The building where the exhibition is located dates back to 1937 and served as a school until 1972. It is protected as a national cultural monument and is very valuable for its original architectural solution.

The Štôlňa Ľudmila adit is part of the open-air museum as an underground exhibition. It is a mining tunnel that was a purposeful mining work. At its end, there is an explosives storage. The space served as a warehouse until the end of ore extraction (the 1930s) and was subsequently abandoned.

The educational monetary trails will lead you through a pleasant natural environment. These are the following routes: route A Jerohuta - Roztoky, route B Bindt, route C Kira – Štolvek – Suchá hora - Grétla, route D Údolím Železného potoka. The mentioned routes will also introduce visitors to many other monuments that mining left behind in the Hnilčík cadastre. These include numerous miners' dwellings, the ruins of the iron ore processing plant and roasting plant in Bindt, authentic gunpowder storage facilities, former administrative and residential buildings of the mining plant in Bindt, the complex of authentic administrative and residential buildings of the mining plant in Roztokách, adit portals from the 18th and 19th centuries, the mining bell tower in Bindt, as well as the remains of railway bodies and bridges of the Markušovce – Roztoky and Markušovce – Bindt railways.

Come and discover the mining history of this beautiful region. However, one day will definitely not be enough for you. On our pages accommodation Hnilčík, you will find the right accommodation for you to fully enjoy your sightseeing stay among the attractions of Spiš and not stress about whether you will catch the train departure or not.