With its varied terrain, the Slovak Republic is a hiker’s paradise. It is criss-crossed with valleys, basins, lowlands, and hills. It is a country full of natural beauty. The biggest and best-known mountains are Tatras (“Tatry”) - a national symbol.

 

Mountains

The Tatra Mountains are divided into “Západné” (Western), “Vysoké” (High), „Belianske“ and “Nízke” (Low). High Tatras „Vysoké Tatry“ mountains are situated in the northern part of Slovakia, on the border with Poland. In 1949 it was declared to be the first Slovak national park (TANAP) and in 1993 it was together with the polish part of the Tatras mountains declared by the UNESCO to be the "Biospheric reservation of the Tatras". High Tatras include 25 peaks reaching the height of over 2,000 m. Some of the highest and most beautiful peaks in the range are “Kriváň” (2,494 m), “Gerlachovský štít” (2,655 m), “Slavkovský štít” (2,452 m) and “Lomnický štít” (2,632 m). The Tatra National Park (TANAP) contains protected flora and fauna. The beauty of National Park is enhanced by natural mountain lakes (“pleso”) that formed during the ice age. The largest of these is “Veľké Hincovo pleso”, while “Štrbské pleso”, “Modré pleso”, “Zamrznuté pleso” and “Zelené pleso” are amongst the most picturesque. Many waterfalls can also be found here, of which the most celebrated are “Obrovský” and “Kmeťov” waterfalls. 350 km of marked tourist paths are available for hikers. 7 different ski resorts with ski lifts, chair lifts, cableways and cable railway are on offer for downhill skiing. There are also several cross-country skiing centres and official mountaineering skiing trails available.

More information:

www.tatry.net

www.tatry.org

www.vysoke-tatry.sk  www.vysoketatry.com  

www.tanap.sk

 

If you are more interested in shorter strolls, we recommend that you visit the Pieniny National Park (PIENAP), situated to the east of “Vysoké Tatry”. The most popular attraction is a fork in the River Dunajec, where rafting in 9 km long Dunajec Canyon (Dunajec gorge) from the Red Monastery to Lesnica is on offer.

More information:

www.pieniny.sk

www.rafting-pieniny.sk    

 

Low Tatras “Nízke Tatry” is the second highest mountain range, and lies between the Váh and Hron valleys. The highest peaks there are “Ďumbier” (2,043 m) and “Chopok” (2,024 m), from which there is an unmatched view of the surrounding landscape. The National park of Low Tatras has also been established there (NAPANT).

More information:

www.nizketatry.sk, www.nizketatry.com

www.napant.sk (in Slovak and German only)

 

Other natural attractions are:

www.skonline.sk/horys.php (only in Slovak)

·          Slovak Paradise “Slovenský raj” -  www.slovenskyraj.sk

·          “Slovenský kras” - www.showcaves.com, http://www.gemer.sk/ciele/skras/skras.html  - the largest karst region

·          “Malá” and “Veľká Fatra” - http://www.sopsr.sk/velkafatra/ (only in Slovak)  www.skonline.sk/horys.php   (only in Slovak, see the link „Hory“ - mountains)

·          “Súľovské skaly” - www.sulov.sk - rocky massif formed into shapes of towers, cones, needles, gates, a unique phenomenon in the territory of Western Carpathian Mountains

·          “Muránska planina” www.muranskaplanina.com (only in Slovak) - plateau with a unique flora and fauna, including wild horses

 

Walks

§          In Bratislava region (www.bratislava.sk, www.bratislavaguide.com, www.bratislava-info.sk)  you can use your free time for walks in the historical centre of the capital, its cobbled streets and squares, visit Bratislava or Devín Castle, St. Martin’s Cathedral, Clariens church, Trinitarians church, St. Elizabeth’s church (so called Blue church) or other churches, Michael’s Gate or Primatial Palace, Old Town Hall, Grassalkovich Palace – the seat of president. You can visit also surrounding towns and villages, make a trip to hills like “Malé Karpaty”, cycling expeditions along the Small Carpathian Wine Route (“Malokarpatská vinná cesta” www.mvc.sk) or you can go cycling along the Morava and Danube Rivers. Don’t forget thermal spas and museums in this area.

§          In Trnava region (www.trnava.sk) visit the historic town of Trnava and make a trip to the hills of the “Malé Karpaty” and the Driny cave – the only cave open to the public in western part of the country. You can also visit nearby castles of “Červený kameň” (Red Stone), “Smolenice” or castle ruins of “Dechtice”. In Trnava region, there is also the popular spa resort of Piešťany.

§          In Nitra region (www.nitra.sk) in addition to Nitra’s historic treasures (Nitra castle, Franciscan Church and Monastery, The Small and Grand Seminary, romanesque church of St.Michael Archangel in Drážovce from 12^th century) visit nearby thermal spas in Diakovce.

§          In Trenčín region (www.trencin.sk) use your stay for a walk around the town (Trenčín castle, Roman inscription from 2^nd century) or a trip to such hills as the “Biele Karpaty”, as well as the “Strážovské vrchy” and “Považský Inovec”. If you like spa resorts, you should definitely pay a visit to Trenčianske Teplice. In Trenčín region, near the town of Prievdza, lies an enchanting neogothic castle of Bojnice (www.bojnicecastle.sk).

§          In Banská Bystrica region (www.bbb.sk) you can enjoy the town’s beauty (town castle complex, square of the Slovak National Uprising, Monument of the Slovak National Uprising), trips to hills and such ranges as “Starohorské vrchy”, the Low Tatras (“Nízke Tatry”) and “Veľká Fatra” or “Kremnické vrchy”. Do not miss the historical mining towns of Banská Štiavnica and Kremnica. Near Banská Štiavniaca there is also an Antol castle – mansion house in Svätý Anton.

§          In Zvolen area (www.zvolen.sk) you can admire a stunning landscape of hills like “Kremnické vrchy”, “Štiavnické vrchy” and “Vtáčnik”. The spa resorts of Kováčová and Sliač offer relaxation after a long hike. See also Zvolen castle and Castle Pustý hrad directly in Zvolen that belongs to the largest ones in Central Europe.

§          In Žilina region (www.zilina.sk) you can seize the day by walking in the town (long pedestrian zone, Square of Virgin Mary, church of St. Stephen in Rudiny from 13th century, Budatin castle), visiting small villages, or hike in the hills as “Malá Fatra”, “Súľovské vrchy” or relax in the spa resort of Rajecké Teplice.

§          In Ružomberok area (www.ruzomberok.sk) (only in Slovak) there are beautiful villages near Ružomberok offering hikes up the hills and the “Veľká Fatra”, Low Tatras (“Nízke Tatry”) and “Chočské vrchy” ranges. The mineral springs of Kúpeľné Lúčky and Korytnica provide refreshment to everyone; an open thermal pool in Bešeňová offers possibility of year-round swimming.

§          In Prešov region (www.presov.sk) you can walk in the town (Uniate Bishop´s Palace, Uniate Cathedral Temple of St. John the Baptist, Klobusiczky Palace, Church of St. Nicholas), visit nearby villages or towns or take a trip to the areas of Sigord, Haniska and Cemjata, as well as to the hills (like “Slanské vrchy”) or relax at the Domaša reservoir. Be sure not to overlook Dubník with its opal mines – a real European rarity. The town of Levoča (www.levoca.sk) is famous for its gothic art (wooden altars and statues) by the workshop of Master Pavol, the sculptor.

§          In Košice region www.kosice.sk visit the Košice town (St. Elizabeth's Cathedral, St. Michael's Chapel, Saint Urban's tower), the second largest in Slovakia. The village of Herľany offers a unique cold geyser and mineral springs to relax by. Excursions to the surrounding countryside are not complete without seeing the Zemplínska šírava region, while wine lovers should certainly pay a visit to the wine cellars of the Tokay region, such as those in Malá Tŕňa or Veľká Trňa.

 

Caves

There are many karst regions in the Slovak Republic. 565 caves are currently registered, including ten stalactitic caves; two ice caves, and one aragonite cave that are open to the public. (www.slovakcaves.sk, www.slovakiatravels.com/sections/Routes/caves-en.php, the Slovak Caves Administration- www.ssj.sk)

In “Nízke Tatry” you can find: “Demänovská jaskyňa slobody”, “Demänovská ľadová jaskyňa”, “Bystrianska jaskyňa”, and “Važecká jaskyňa”,

in “Belianske Tatry” - “Belianska jaskyňa”

in “Slovenský kras“ - Domica”, “Jasovská jaskyňa” and “Gombasecká jaskyňa”,

in “Malé Karpaty” - “Driny”,

in “Slovenský raj” - “Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa”

in “Veľká Fatra” - “Harmanecká jaskyňa”

in “Slovenské rudohorie” - “Ochtinská aragonitová jaskyňa”.

 

Spas

Spa treatment has a long history thanks to the country’s large number of mineral springs. Some of them are mentioned under „Walks“

More information:

www.slovakiatravels.com/sections/Routes/therme-en.php

www.herkules.sk/english/spas

www.skonline.sk/kupele.html

 

Castles

The country’s historic and architecturally precious buildings are also great tourist attractions. The first castles were built in the 10^th century at the strategically important locations. In those times it was necessary to protect the border areas against attacks of invaders and to prevent their entering into the country. In addition to the guarding services a system of castles was used also to guard the most important roads. An exemption was a protecting system of castles in the Považie region protecting crossings over the Váh river. The most extensive construction of stone castles in Slovakia started immediately after the Tartars invasion in the middle of the 13th century and lasted till the half of the 14th. New stone forts were built in the place of original wooden castles or near them, but new castles were built as well. Most of the Slovak castles were built before the half of the 15th century. The nobility got the royal property step by step either as advance payment for a loan given to a monarch or for extraordinary and loyal services to the king. In the period of humanism and renaissance, the system of the castles gradually lost its military and strategic importance and aristocratic families started to move from castles to manor houses and to the towns. In this period a lot of castles were demolished, burned and others fell into disrepair after inhabitants moved out. At present many of the castles are reconstructed and are open for visitors.

More information:

www.castles.sk

www.slovakheritage.org/Castles/castles_home.htm

 

Slovak UNESCO Natural and Cultural Heritage

Places included on the UNESCO list of the world cultural and natural heritage:

·          The historic town of Banská Štiavnica www.banskastiavnica.sk and the Technical monuments in its vicinity;

·          The village of Vlkolínec www.liptov.sk/vlkolinec (only in Slovak) - historical site of traditional folk architecture;

·          Spišský hrad castle www.spisskyhrad.sk - the most extensive stronghold in Central Europe, and monuments in its surroundings;

·          The town of Bardejov www.e-bardejov.sk;

·          The area of “Slovenský kras” www.skonline.sk/npchko.php - the greatest karst region in Central Europe;

·          Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa www.gemer.sk/ciele/dljaskyna/dljaskyna.html - ice cave

 

More information:

http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/sk

www.slovakiatravels.com/sections/Routes/unesco-en.php 

 

Hiking signs

In Slovakia there are numerous hiking routes, which are easy to follow thanks to colour symbols along the way. The hiking (trekking) routes are mostly marked by 3 horizontal stripes forming a square, 2 white stripes at borders to draw attention and a coloured one (red, blue, green, yellow) in the middle to indicate the route. If necessary the striped square takes the form of a striped arrow to show the change in the direction of the route. The lengths of the routes are given as average hiking times or as distance in kilometres at frequent signposts. To see the used hiking symbols visit the page of the Club of Slovak Tourists at www.kst.sk (only in Slovak, look for “Turistické značkovanie” >> “Používné symboly”)

 

Sport

Summer Sports

In Slovakia there is a wide range of facilities for summer sports. The most popular are cycling, water sports and hiking. Large reservoirs such as Zemplínska šírava, Oravská priehrada, Liptovská Mara, Sĺňava near Piešťany, Ružín at Hornád, and Domaša at the River Ondava along with artificial lakes like the Slnečné jazerá near Senec and Zlaté piesky in Bratislava offer visitors a chance to enjoy water sports. Many Slovak rivers are navigable and canoeing is very popular amongst young people. Horse riding is becoming more popular, with stables for public existing in many towns. Mountaineering, hill-walking, white water rafting, adrenaline sports, and paragliding are only some of the ways to spend a weekend in the mountains. Another very popular activity is camping or renting cottages, and hiking (trekking) in the mountains. For those who prefer green lawns and white sport dress there are many possibilities to play tennis at tennis clubs, at public courts or golf in clubs.

More information:

www.holidayinfo.sk

http://rivers.raft.cz//slovensko/

www.panorama.sk/index.asp?kam=/go/clanky/430.asp&lang=en&sv=2

 

Winter Sports

Thanks to its mountainous nature, the country offers great opportunities for downhill and cross-country skiing, as well as snowboarding. The mountains enjoy over 80 days of snow per year which often reaches a level of 2 m in the “Nízke” and “Vysoké Tatry”. In these high mountain regions, there is snow on the ground for 130 days each year. Ice hockey and ice-skating are very popular sports that can be practised in closed stadiums, as well as outdoors.

More information:

www.ski.sk, www.yeti.sk

www.holidayinfo.sk

Mountain rescue (“Horská záchranná služba”) www.hzs.sk (only in Slovak)

 

Indoor Sports

Sports centres offer opportunities for fitness, aerobics and sometimes squash. These centres are often equipped with saunas, solaria, and masseurs and many also offer body care services, such as cosmetic and pedicure facilities. Some towns also have indoor swimming pools that provide opportunities for swimming, saunas, and massages. You can also rent a gym-hall to play indoor football, volleyball, basketball or handball etc., that is mostly associated with a primary, secondary school or a faculty.

More information:

www.sportslovakia.sk

 

General information about Slovakia

www.slovensko.com

www.cestovanie-info.sk