Torrent de Pareis got its name from the stream Pareis that carved the canyon over millions of years. The most interesting entry into the canyon is by the sea from the village of Sa Calobra through two narrow tunnels in the rock. Tunnels lead to the coast where the stream Pareis flows into the sea.

In summer the stream dried on its way which allow tourist to bath on the beautiful pebble beach. It is also possible to enter the Torrent de Pareis from the upper village Escorca. The entire canyon is 7 km long. The total height from the sea to the highest point is 720 m.

The canyon is surrounded by the steep rocky walls. In the deepest places the walls reach a height of 400 m. At the bottom of the canyon you can see a small salt lake, created by the sea tide. In the walls you can find the caves that were dug by rain water. This also created a lot of water tunnels and deep lakes in the canyon.

During your trip to Torrent de Pareis you will see the huge rocky blocks. They are pieces of canyon walls, which over the years broke off due to erosion and fell to its ground. The whole area of ​​Torrent de Pareis was announced a significant natural heritage for its geological and biological value.

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Alploch Gorge, Austria by Bernhard Maeser

Both gorges Rappenlochschlucht – Alploch, which are about 1 km from each other, are divided with Staufensee lake with beautiful blue water. After appointment you can also see here 100 years old hydroelectric power plant.

Rappenlochschlucht – Alploch Gorges are a beautiful place suitable for hiking. On the rock walls there are romantic narrow wooden trails and the beauty of the canyon is doubled with amazing local waterfalls. The trail is also suitable for families with children. Rappenlochschlucht – Alploch Gorges are open from April to October. In the summer months (July and August) tourists have the opportunity to enter the gorges free of charge every Thursday.

Rappenlochschlucht, Austria by Bernhard Mäser

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Turda Gorge, Romania by Cristian Bortes

With regards to the history of the Turda Gorge, the entire site has been traced back to the Neolithic period. So far there have been 67 species of birds, amphibians, fish, and mammals which have been identified in this region. There are also a number of caves throughout the reserve, so far totaling 60. A majority of these caves are fairly small in size, with the largest one measuring a total of 120 meters.

There are certain tourist attractions around this area, including Cheile Turzii which is only just a few km from several other canyons, including Cheile Borzesti and Cheile Turului. The Ciucas waterfall is another very beautiful attraction which draws in a number of tourists from around the world. When it comes to rock climbing in Romania, Cheile Turzii is by far the most popular place for those who enjoy this particular activity.

The Turda Gorge is located on the Hasdate River and is home to many different types of plants and animals. Its geography is made up of steep cliffs, rocky dells, and sharp crests which make it a truly unique landmark in the area. The breathtaking beauty of the karst landscape is considered to be one of the main natural attractions in all of Romania.

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Today, visitors can admire the prismatic basalt columns forming the walls of the gorge, which are up to 55 metres high in some places. During hot summer days it certainly would not hurt to refresh yourself and walk through riverbed where the water is crystal clear, cool and refreshing even in the summer. And those who will find the water too cold, can borrow high boots on-site.

Huge amounts of basalt, which is found in the Alcantara Valley comes from an old Etna’s crater named Mojo Alcantara. Alcantara river is more than 50 kilometres long and its source is in the height of 1250 metres above sea level. However the Alcantara valley named also as Alcantara Gorges or known as Gole dell’Alcantara in Italian, has the length of only 500 metres. The distance between the cliffs is on average about 5 metres.

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The three hundred kilometres of trails will take you through amazing gorges and canyons, with lots of lazily flowing rivers, bubbling streams and gurgling waterfalls. You will need to pass through the installed ladders or metal grids on the certain parts of the limestone rocks which adds some flavor to your trip adventure. Yet there is nothing to worry about, since there is no extreme climbing performance waiting for you on the way. Therefore you can in good conscience take some of the popular routes, leading e.g. through one of the most romantic gorges – Suchá Belá, or through Hornád Canyon (Prielom Hornádu), Veľký Sokol, Kláštorska gorge or Sokolia valley, where you can enjoy the beauty of the highest waterfall in Slovak Paradise – Závojový waterfall (75 metres high).

Most of the Slovak Paradise is covered by forests, which is a home to many animals. Among the most famous inhabitants are such as the brown bear, gray wolf or lynx. But do not worry, they live in inaccessible areas, and the likelihood that you meet them during your trip is almost zero. However you will be accompanied by butterflies, birds and hares and if you will have a luck you should also meet basking otters. Right thanks to this diversity of animal and plant species Slovak Paradise became the first protected area in Slovakia already in 1964 and 24 years later was declared a national park.

Very popular are also local karst caves, whose concentration is here undoubtedly the largest from all over Slovakia. However only one cave is open to the public from the three hundred discovered underground caves. It is Dobšinská ice cave, which in addition to its fabulous formations boasts the title of the first electrically lit cave in the world. Today’s 1km long guided tour is already equipped with modern facilities. Looking at the beautiful ice decoration you will understand why it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caves in the Slovak Paradise were discovered many thousands of years ago by ancestors of modern man. Several prehistoric tools were found here from the Stone Age and Palaeolithic Age, while the age of others is estimated at 45 million years.

The ideal starting point for your tours around this beautiful national park can be Čingov village, Podlesok, Dedinky or Hrabušice. For higher security there are mainly one-way trails so the map should really not be left at home. When planning a trip do not forget the appropriate footwear and be always prepared for the rain. Never leave the marked trails, otherwise you can get lost easily.

If your ways lead to Slovakia, Slovak Paradise National park should not be missed.

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