Kláštorská Gorge Trail

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Kláštorská Gorge Trail: Ladders and Waterfalls in Slovak Paradise

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

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Ranked #815 of 974

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HikeList Score

Kláštorská Gorge Trail scored 73/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Very Good

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 55
Balanced challenge 84
Scenery & wildness 98
Varied terrain 64
Accommodation 58
Food & support 52
Path quality 98
Season flexibility 89

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Kláštorská Gorge Trail is a 10.5 km, 1-day hard loop in Slovenský raj National Park, eastern Slovakia. Starting at Podlesok near Hrabušice, it climbs the one-way Kláštorská roklina on fixed metal ladders, rungs, steps and footbridges past waterfalls, then returns by easier forest paths from the Kláštorisko plateau. It suits confident hikers who are comfortable on exposed, wet rock and ladders; it is not a good choice for anyone afraid of heights.

Route Overview

The standard signed route starts and finishes at the Podlesok tourist centre. From Podlesok, blue waymarks lead to Hrdlo Hornádu, where the route reaches the mouth of the Hornád gorge. The hike then turns onto the green-marked Kláštorská roklina, which is strictly one-way upstream, climbing the gorge to Kláštorisko. From the plateau and monastery ruins, the loop descends via Pod Kláštoriskom and Nad Podleskom, using yellow and red waymarks back to Podlesok. The verified route is a loop, not a point-to-point hike. For longer Slovak mountain routes, compare the Low Tatras Ridge Trail or Muránska Planina Trail.

Kláštorisko and the Carthusian Monastery

Kláštorisko takes its name from a Carthusian monastery established by articles of association dated 12 December 1299 on the Skala útočišťa / Lapis Refugii, the “Rock of Refuge”, where Spiš locals had sheltered during the 13th-century Tatar invasions. Saxon settlers gave the site to the Carthusian order, and monks from Žiče oversaw construction in the early 1300s. The monastery operated for about 250 years, then was plundered and deliberately demolished in 1543. Volunteers have since stabilised and partly restored the ruins.

Notable highlights

Kláštorská roklina (roughly 1.5 km): The gorge is the core of the hike: a steep, one-way upstream canyon with fixed ladders, rungs and footbridges following the stream bed past waterfalls.

Strakov vodopád (13 m): The tallest waterfall in the gorge, named after Anton Straka. Other cascades on the route include Dúhový, Machový and Objaviteľov falls.

Fixed ladders and footbridges: Vertical metal ladders and bolted rungs are the defining feature of the route. Only one person should be on a ladder at a time, and a steady head for heights is essential.

Kláštorisko plateau (~760 m): The grassy ridge plateau at the top of the gorge is a trail hub with a mountain chalet, refreshments and wide views.

Carthusian monastery ruins: The ruined monastery on Kláštorisko is one of the main reasons to pause before the descent, with its history tied to the Rock of Refuge and Slovak Paradise’s name.

Hornád gorge link: The loop touches Hrdlo Hornádu at the start, beside the Prielom Hornádu, the park’s well-known river canyon.

Challenges to expect

Expect wet rock, slippery stream-bed walking, exposed ladders and slow movement through the gorge, especially if other hikers are ahead. The gorge is one-way upstream only, so turning around is not straightforward once committed. High water can close or restrict access, and winter ice makes the ladders serious; crampons are needed in winter conditions. Navigation is generally easy on marked trails. For another hard Slovak day objective, see the Ďumbier Summit Trail.

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Ranked #815 of 974

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