Pavlovce Reservoir

Reservoir It is a popular destination for day trips in the woods, approximately 1.5 km south-west of the village of Pavlovce, at the foot of Slanské hills. It is situated in the valley of the Stravný stream and features a mineral spring, a forest nature trail, an open-air forestry museum and a protected natural feature. It is ideal for family outings, school trips and short walks all year round.

Tajch Mineral Spring

The heart of the area is the Pavlovský mineral spring, known as Tajch. It rises at the bottom of the Stravný stream valley; its springhead was once excavated and lined with brickwork, and was later converted into a concrete ring chamber fitted with a pump. The forest nature trail of the same name also begins at the spring.

Tajch Forest Nature Trail

The nature trail, which opened in 2008 and is managed by the state-owned enterprise Lesy SR, provides an insight into the work of foresters, life in the forest and the natural environment of the Slanské vrchy hills. It consists of two circuits, which largely overlap:

• Short (children’s) circuit – length 2.5 km, elevation gain 85 m, duration approximately 1.5 hours, 11 stops. It runs from Tajch through the Predná vaľa area and back to the spring.
• The Grand Tour – length 6 km, elevation gain 205 m, duration approximately 2.5 hours, 22 stops. It continues to the monument to the Theresian Forest Regulations, with a turn-off to Krkavčia skala, and returns to Tajch via Pusté pole.

Along the trails there are rest areas with gazebos, three wells, demonstrations of gravity-fed timber hauling, a charcoal kiln, a rock exhibition and wooden sculptures. Information panels cover topics such as forest management, wildlife, birds, wetlands and geology. Slanské hills.

The Open-Air Forestry Museum

The forestry museum, situated on the site of the former Diely forest nursery, lies on the section where both circuits meet. It showcases the work of foresters, hunting and cynology, as well as the local flora and fauna. Visitors will find a period forester’s office, a herbarium, seed collections and historical forestry tools, including a chainsaw from the 1950s weighing 50 kg, which required two men to operate. There are seed orchards in the surrounding area to preserve the genetic diversity of tree species. Of particular interest is the mountain elm seed orchard, from which 50 saplings originating from Šimonka were sent to the grounds of the royal residence at Highgrove in England at the request of Prince Charles, later King Charles III.

The Stravný Stream Gorge Natural Monument

Both routes of the nature trail run alongside the Zárez Stravného potoka natural monument, which has been a protected site since 1994. Here, the stream has carved out a gorge with rock faces up to 15 metres high, and over a short stretch it flows through rapids and cascades. The area forms part of a Special Protection Area for birds Slanské vrchy as part of the Natura 2000 network.

Access

You can reach Tajch from Pavlovce, starting from the bus turning circle and following the yellow hiking signs in a south-westerly direction. The route is approximately 1.5 km long, with an elevation gain of around 75 metres.

Source: OOCR RŠ
Source of photographs: OOCR RŠ