The Valley takes its name from the Čutkovský Stream, which flows through its entire length from its source below the Šiprúň Saddle at an elevation of 1,320 metres above sea level to the valley's lower end, covering a distance of 7.8 kilometres. In its upper and middle reaches, it has the character of a mountain stream, while further downstream it loses gradient and begins to meander through the valley floor. 

The stream is fed primarily by atmospheric precipitation, with an average annual rainfall of approximately 1,000 mm. Its highest water levels occur during the spring snowmelt from March to May, while the lowest flows are typically recorded in autumn and winter.

One of the valley's landmarks is undoubtedly a small reservoir, built in 1942 to supply water for the industrial facilities in Rybárpole. Today, it serves mainly recreational purposes and is popular with cold-water swimmers and anglers. The reservoir is home to fish species such as the brown trout (Salmo trutta morpha fario) and the Siberian bullhead (Cottus poecilopus).

Another hidden treasure of the Čutkovská Valley lies beneath its slopes in the form of groundwater resources. The presence of limestone and dolomite creates favourable conditions for the accumulation and emergence of groundwater. The valley contains numerous natural springs, including the important springs of Budkovica and Šimiace, which are used as sources of drinking water for local communities.

Wetland plant communities play an important role in maintaining the health of the landscape. They help remove excess phosphorus and nitrogen from water, slow flood waves and reduce the risk of flooding, protect riverbanks and water bodies from erosion, and help regulate local temperatures.

Wetlands are also an irreplaceable part of the natural environment of the Čutkovská Valley. They are found mainly along the Čutkovský stream, where they form a marsh-type wetland system. These habitats are gradually restored through the natural action of water, even in areas where they were destroyed by human activity in the past. 

Their high biodiversity is reflected in the wide variety of plant and animal species found here. Notable plant species include the protected marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), lesser celandine (Ficaria verna), marsh thistle (Cirsium palustre), broad-leaved marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza majalis), wild calla (Calla palustris), marsh cranesbill (Geranium palustre), horsemint (Mentha longifolia), butterbur (Petasites hybridus), and many others.

Among the animals, amphibians are particularly well represented at various stages of their life cycle, including the common toad (Bufo bufo), common frog (Rana temporaria), and fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra). Reptiles include the grass snake (Natrix natrix).

Life for our ancestors was far from easy. In addition to working the fields throughout the year, farming families had to gather fodder, mainly hay, at the beginning of summer to feed their livestock through the long and demanding winter months. For a few days or even weeks each year, scythes and rakes became their "dancing partners" and harvesting hay required great effort and dedication.

In the Čutkovská Valley, farmers and their families travelled to meadows in areas such as Chabzdová, Polianka, Vyšné and Nižné Pálenice, Dedov, and Čremošná. If everything went well and the hay dried sufficiently, it was stored in traditional hay barns, known locally as štále, which became a characteristic feature of the valley landscape.

Before winter, the hay had to be transported to the farmyards. Those who managed to do so before the first snowfall used horse-drawn carts, while others relied on krnačky, hand-pulled sledges or larger horse-drawn sleighs to move their harvest across the snow-covered countryside.

Today, we can hardly imagine the effort our ancestors invested in securing their livelihood. This is one of the reasons why many of the meadows around the Čutkovská Valley are gradually becoming overgrown. Along with their romantic charm, these meadows are also losing valuable plant species that once thrived under the traditional regime of regular mowing.

The inconspicuous yet fascinating geological formation located nearby is evidence that geological processes shaping our landscape do not always take tens of millions of years. The travertine formed at this site, known locally as Červená skala (Red Rock), is a specific type of limestone created by the precipitation of calcium carbonate from cold surface waters rich in dissolved calcium carbonate.

This type of travertine, often referred to as tufa, is frequently formed through the activity of plants. Travertine is found on the Earth's surface in many forms, including crusts, sinter formations, and various karst features. It is characterised by a porous structure, while its colour varies depending on mineral impurities and may range from white and pale yellow to light grey or even violet. 

Thanks to the geological structure of the Ružomberok region, there are several locations where travertine occurs or continues to form today. Among the best known are the travertine formations in Lúčky and Bešeňová. The value of travertine as a building material was already recognised by the Ancient Romans, who used it to construct one of the world's most famous landmarks – the Colosseum.

A short detour from the main educational trail has brought you to the first of the valley’s waterfalls, a hidden natural beauty that many visitors may be discovering for the first time. 

The waterfall is located on Jelení Stream (Deer Stream), a right-bank tributary of the Čutkovský Stream, from which it takes its name. With a height of 24 metres, Jelení Waterfall is classified as an erosional waterfall. This means that, over time, the action of flowing water gradually decreases both its height and slope. 

More specifically, it is a secondary, or subsequent, waterfall. Such waterfalls are formed through the action of a watercourse that gradually exposes different layers of bedrock through erosion and downcutting. Although the process may seem complex, it is based on a simple principle – the varying resistance of different rock types to erosion. Softer rocks, in this case limestone, are worn away and carried off more quickly than harder rocks, creating the waterfall step where the two meet.

The flow of Jelení Waterfall depends on rainfall and snowmelt. As a result, it carries the greatest volume of water during the spring months, while in autumn and winter it may become almost dry.

On an unnamed left-bank tributary of the Čutkovský Stream in the Jamišná Valley, you will find two waterfalls – the Lower Jamišné Waterfall, measuring 12.1 metres in height, and the Upper Jamišné Waterfall, which is 5.5 metres high – together with several smaller cascades. You are currently standing beside the Lower Waterfall. 

It is an erosional waterfall of secondary origin, formed through the gradual action of flowing water. For many years, it remained hidden from all but a few knowledgeable visitors behind a natural curtain of magnificent beech forests, some sections of which are gradually developing into old-growth forest.

The gorge known as Za dierou (Beyond the Hole) was formed by the erosive power of the Čutkovský Stream, which carved its way through hard layers of limestone and dolomite, creating a fascinating canyon almost 50 metres long. Today, the gorge provides a habitat for a variety of rare mosses and ferns. In the past, it was also used by local people for transporting timber.

 

One of the legends explaining the origin of the 50-meter-long gorge in the upper part of the Čutkovská Valley, known as Za Dierou (Beyond the Hole), tells the story of a handsome young man named Martin and his great love, the beautiful Anička.

 

The story takes place during a harsh winter, shortly before the young couple were due to be married in the spring. Martin and his friends were working in the upper part of the valley, preparing timber for the house he planned to build for himself and Anička. Every day, she brought food to the men in the forest so they would have the strength to carry on with their work.

 

One day, while making her usual journey through the valley, Anička was captured by a band of bandits. She promised them that if they took her to Martin, he would agree to any condition they set in exchange for her freedom. The bandits accepted her offer although they had already decided they would never willingly part with such an excellent cook.

 

So the bandits brought her to Martin and the other men. Outnumbered by the workers, they decided not to fight. Instead, they put their heads together to devise a challenge for Martin.

At last, their attention was drawn to a huge boulder beside the stream. They pointed to it and declared that if he wanted his beloved Anička back, he would have to split the boulder in two. Without hesitation, Martin accepted the challenge.

 

The bandits burst into laughter, convinced that the task was impossible. But Martin was not only strong - he was clever as well. He carefully examined the boulder from every angle until he discovered a narrow crack running through it. Smiling to himself, he began building a small dam across the stream. As the water level rose, it changed course and flowed towards the rock. As if following a map, the water gradually began to carve a path through the boulder.

 

Night soon fell, and everyone settled down to sleep. That night, a bitter frost swept through the valley. The water trapped inside the crack froze and expanded with tremendous force, splitting the mighty boulder in two.

 

The next morning, the bandits could hardly believe their eyes. Having no choice, they returned Anička to Martin and fled the valley, never to be seen again. Some say they disappeared through the opening in the boulder itself, as if the earth had swallowed them whole.