There’s a new reason to head east this summer. In the lush, folded hills above the Ružín Reservoir – a longtime local escape in eastern Slovakia – a waterslide now snakes down a slope, ending in a splash at the lake’s edge.
The Ružín Waterslide, located in Hámorská Bay near the Zlatník area, is part of a small but deliberate effort to bring more visitors to this once-thriving recreational area. Once known for weekend cottages and water sports, Ružín fell out of fashion in recent decades as infrastructure aged and interest shifted elsewhere.
First installed in 2023 but unused for two summers, the €39,000 attraction isn’t a waterpark-style spectacle – more a gently sloping chute tucked into the hillside. It was designed with minimal environmental disruption and is paired with compact container facilities offering showers and toilets. The attraction is a modest but welcome step for families, paddlers and swimmers who’ve long wished for basic amenities.
The Ružín Waterslide, located in Hámorská Bay near the Zlatník area. (source: TASR)
“I see it as a symbol,” said Ján Vereb, whose firm, Baraba, oversaw the project. “Not just of fun, but of Ružín slowly coming back to life.”
The reservoir, flanked by pine forests and rimmed with misty cliffs, still feels off the beaten path. Hiking trails lead up to nearby peaks like Sivec, while calm waters invite canoeists and paddleboarders. The new slide opens to the public on 1 June – just in time for summer, and free to use on launch day.
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