The Speleologists of Rožňava Dripstone (34 metres high) was until recently regarded the highest in the world, and is a rarity in the temperate climatic zone.
From among the six available UNESCO World Heritage caves in the Košice region, the Krásnohorská jaskyňa cave is truly exceptional. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that walking in it is associated with a certain amount of adrenaline and sport activities. Although it is open to the public, the entry is only allowed when accompanied by experienced guides and wearing a complete speleological gear.
Krásnohorská jaskyňa Cave is located at the northern foot of the Slovak Karst National Park. We may reach it along the instruction trail that leads from the village of Krásnohorská Dlhá Lúka, while passing by the river Čremošná, a water mill and the Chapel of St. Mary. The cave can be accessed through an artificial entrance mined by miners in 1982 at an altitude of 316 m above sea level.
Visit of this particular cave is very adventurous.
The entrance to the cave is located at an altitude of 316 metres, at the exsurgence of the Buzgó creek. The total length of the cave is 1355 metres, the temperature is around 9° C and the relative humidity is 98 per cent. In the Krásnohorská jaskyňa cave, interesting Earth pyramids have been formed.
The last accessible part of the cave that hides the famed "icing" is the Hall of Giants.
Cave route requires to be physically fit.
The 450 metres long guided tour leads to the unique Speleologists of Rožňava Dripstone, and is made accessible by wooden benches and ropes, by means of which the visitors overcome the Buzgó underground creek flowing through the main part of the cave. The flow of water in the creek decides on the possibility of entering the cave. The maximum water flow, at which the entry is still allowed, is 300 litres per second. At a higher flow, the benches are already under water. At certain times, the flow inside the cave ranges around 1300 litres per second; at the largest recorded flood, the flow was 6000 l/s.
The entrance in the cave is only possible with a guide while wearing the speleological gear.
The main part of the cave is formed by a canyon-like corridor, which is extended at transverse dislocations into massive domes up to 45 metres high.
The last accessible part of the cave that hides the famed "icing" is the Hall of Giants. Its hallmark is the Speleologists of Rožňava Dripstone, having been for long considered the largest in the world and until recently being registered in the Guinness Book of Records. The majestic stalagnate is almost 34 metres high and its weight is estimated at 2000 tonnes, putting on about 200 kilograms per year. Dripstones do not grow so quickly even in the tropics, where the conditions for the growth of sinter stalactites are many times better. For the sake comparison, the average stalactite in the Slovak Karst would grow one gram for long tens even hundreds of years.
