Palcmanská Maša is the largest reservoir in Slovak Paradise National Park — a stunning mountain lake cradled in the valley of the Hnilec River, with dramatic rocky cliffs of the Gerávy ridge rising above its southern shore. Whether you come for hiking, fishing, or simply to soak in the scenery, this place delivers an atmosphere that is hard to forget.

The reservoir stretches nearly 4 km through a wide valley basin at an elevation of around 786 m above sea level. The rocky southern escarpments provide a striking backdrop in every season: lush green in summer when the lake buzzes with activity, fiery red and orange in autumn, and hauntingly quiet under a blanket of snow in winter. The village of Dedinky, established right on the lakeshore in 1933, offers accommodation, dining and water sports equipment rental, making it a natural base for exploring both the lake and the gorges of Slovak Paradise nearby.

• Dedinky (village parking) — lakeside trail, approx. 1.5–2 hrs round trip, easy — a relaxed walk with views of the cliffs and open water
• Mlynky / Palcmanská Maša hamlet — approach from the dam side, approx. 30 min, easy

• The reservoir lies within Slovak Paradise National Park — national park regulations apply
• Fishing is managed by a fish farm on the lake; a valid fishing permit is required
• Recreational and accommodation facilities are concentrated in Dedinky village

Here is a fascinating engineering detail: the water collected here travels through a 2.7 km tunnel bored beneath Dobšinský Hill, crossing from the Hnilec catchment into the Slaná river basin to power Slovakia's very first pumped-storage hydroelectric plant, running since 1953.