Trip to Chmarošský viadukt

Hi

My three-year-old son loves trains, and I decided to make him happy. I prepared a surprise for him and my daughter. Not only will we take a train ride, but we'll also see a train passing over the most famous viaduct in Slovakia. We set out on a trip by train to cross the Chmarošský viaduct.

We wake up a little earlier than usual, even though it's summer break. We have to catch the train. There aren't that many trains running on the track we're taking, and if we want to explore the area and complete everything I've planned for us, we need to get going.

We drove to the village of Hnilec, from where we'll continue by train. After a short wait, our train arrives. "Look, Dunihlav," my children shouted. We have a memory game with trains at home, and they know some of them by name. We board the train and enjoy a peaceful journey. This train route is one of the most beautiful in Slovakia. The train passes through several valleys, tunnels, and you can admire the beautiful scenery.

We get off the train in the village of Telgárt. It's a lovely village surrounded by mountains. Above it towers one of the highest peaks of the Low Tatras, Kráľova hoľa.

However, we leave the village and head to a nearby field. From here, we have the best view of the beautiful viaduct, which is right in front of us.

We’re at the spot. Now we just have to wait for the train.

The Chmarošský viaduct is 113.6 meters long and 18 meters high. It was built in the 1930s and beautifully blends into the surrounding nature.

We walk under the bridge, and the view is truly worth it. The nine pillars look majestic from below. We walk under the bridge and into Gregorova Valley.

The Chmarošský viaduct is part of a structure called the Telgárt Loop. Its purpose is to overcome a significant elevation change in a short distance. It includes three tunnels and two viaducts.

The second viaduct is the Telgártsky viaduct, which we also went to see. It is 83 meters long and 22 meters high. If you ever visit Telgárt, don't miss it because it's located right behind the train station.

What would a trip with children be without a visit to a playground? We went to eat at a nearby sheep farm, and we found this themed playground on the way. The kids had a blast and jumped around.

While the kids were playing on the playground, I walked a few meters away to take a closer look at this bus. The yellow bus is an interesting addition to this place.

Another attraction is this Harry Potter car. It's clear that they're trying to attract tourists, and it seems to be working. We've been here all day and have seen cars stop by to look at the viaduct.

Many of them also stop at this café, which is built from an old railcar. I think it's a very good idea.

It's clear that Telgárt is all about trains, which are everywhere. But we must not forget the mountain that towers over this picturesque village. Kráľova hoľa watches over this land. And on this stone, apparently, King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary once ate during one of his hunts. Who knows if it’s true, but it's an interesting idea.

Our trip is nearing its end. But we still have one more stop. We're going to see the source of the river Hron. This little stream doesn't look like a river. But over time, more and more water flows into it, and the Hron grows larger.

As they say, saving the best for last. My daughter wanted to bathe her doll in the Hron. The water near the spring is as calm as a lake and almost still. Almost. Her doll floated away, and when she tried to catch it, she ended up with her feet in the water. I couldn't catch it either, and the doll floated away somewhere among the burdock leaves.

When my son saw this, he started crying. He stood on the edge of the bank, and there was mud below him. He slipped and fell into the mud.

I didn’t know what to do first. Should I pull my daughter out of the river, or my son out of the mud? Or rescue the doll?

Fortunately, everything turned out fine. I pulled my daughter out of the water, took off her soaked shoes and socks, washed my son's shoes in the river, and they both went to the car barefoot.

And what happened to the doll? It was found. A man who had also come to see the source of the Hron went over the fence and found the doll caught in the burdock leaves nearby.

On the way home, we all laughed about it. It was an unforgettable trip, one we certainly won’t forget.

Thank you.