Nature attractions Betlanovce

Tomášovský výhľad is located on the southern slope of Ludmanka, at an altitude of 667 m above sea level, in Slovenský raj. It is an impressive rock outcrop of a terraced shape with an overhang high above the Hornád river. From the top, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of Prielom Hornádu, Čertova Sihoť, the valley of Biely potok, as well as the Vysoké Tatry mountains. The ascent to it is not overly demanding, but the reward in the form of the most beautiful view in the Slovenský raj region is well deserved.

A group of climbers from Spišská Nová Ves, consisting of Brnčal, Huba, and Leschinský, was the first to conquer the wall of Tomášovský výhľad on October 8, 1938. Since then, the spot has been swarming with tourists, as everyone wants to enjoy this unforgettable view at least once. If you manage to arrive at a time when you are alone at the viewpoint, enjoy the unique atmosphere of the place. It is just you with your thoughts, a deep abyss below you, wild nature all around, silence, and a special sense of peace.

The limestone massif of Tomášovský výhľad has long been used as a climbing training ground, so you may notice steel pitons at the top. Currently, there are around 100 known climbing routes of various difficulty levels that can be used to conquer the steep wall. Rock climbing competitions are also held here. Directly below the rock terrace lies the lesser-known Michalova džura cave.

The starting point for the hike is the parking lot in the village of Čingov. From there, you will follow the yellow hiking trail, which will lead you past the Pomník Slovenského raja monument and a chalet settlement all the way to the top. You will overcome a certain incline and in about an hour (or even less via some routes), you will arrive at the spot. The entire route is 3.5 km long with an elevation gain of 235 m. It is not uncommon to pass families with young children or groups of seniors during the hike. Another option is to arrive from Spišské Tomášovce along the green hiking trail, which is considered the easiest route. Interesting routes also lead from Smižany, Ďurkovec, and Spišská Nová Ves. Cyclists will also appreciate the marked yellow MTB cycling route leading from the village of Spišské Tomášovce. Anyone with enough stamina should try the loop trail through Prielom Hornádu, which is among the most attractive routes.

Living in Slovakia and not seeing Tomášovský výhľad is like being Slovak and never tasting bryndzové halušky (sheep cheese dumplings). You might hesitate at first, but then you cannot get enough. Slovenský raj and its surroundings are a lifelong passion, where tourists come to find inner peace and draw the purest energy from nature. Book a stay in the vicinity of Tomášovský výhľad, for example on the accommodation Čingov or accommodation Spišské Tomášovce pages, and enjoy perfect views of our beautiful Mother Nature.

On an inconspicuous meadow in the middle of a village beneath the Tatras, you will find a paleontological site of world importance. You might still remember Gánovce, located in the Poprad district, from history classes as the site where a travertine cast of the brainpart of a Neanderthal skull was found. Gánovské travertíny and Gejzír were declared a national natural monument in 1972. Although many tourists coming to this region have no idea about this rare place amidst a green meadow, visiting a location where natural wealth meets the breath of ancient times is certainly worth it.

The Gánovské travertíny reach a height of approximately two meters. Travertiine is a type of limestone created by the precipitation of freshwater thermal springs. Right at this spot in the 1920s, a blaster during travertine mining found a cast of part of a Neanderthal skull that contained the brain. He initially considered the cast to be an animal skull. He handed it over to an employee of the Národné múzeum v Prahe, unaware of the importance and significance of his discovery. Gánovské travertíny subsequently became an extraordinarily important site of fossil fauna and flora as well.

Not far from the travertine mound, there is a geyser that spouts thermal water every 30 minutes. Thermal springs with healing mineral water have been known in Gánovce since 1549, when Gánovské kúpele were mentioned for the first time. Today they operate under the name Aqua Spa Gánovce, and you can combine a visit to them in your trip itinerary with a walk to Gánovské travertíny and Gejzír.

In case you cannot get enough of water fun and relaxation in Gánovce, the water paradise AquaCity Poprad is located in the nearby district town of Poprad, being a popular excursion spot for visitors from all over Slovakia. Or will you feel like continuing your walk through history after visiting the paleontological site? Visit the Podtatranské múzeum v Poprade, where they will reliably guide you through the history of the entire Tatra region. The culmination of a pleasant day filled with unusual experiences will certainly be resting in accommodation near Gánovské travertíny and Gejzír. Choose accommodation in Poprad according to your preferences and spend a pleasant holiday under the Tatras. Apartments, hotels, guest houses, as well as cozy holiday homes, cottages, and chalets are available.

In recent seasons, a major magnet for vacationers seeking natural beauty and points of interest is the Horehronie region and the village of Telgárt, located in the Brezno district. Just a few hundred meters northeast of the village, at the foot of Kráľova hoľa, originates our second longest river, the Hron. It is right from this spot that the surging stream literally carves its way across the territory of Slovakia, through the Nízke Tatry all the way to the Podunajská pahorkatina hill land. And it all begins at an inconspicuous spot in the middle of a green meadow. A visit to Prameň Hrona is one of those hiking achievements that every Slovak should experience at least once in their lifetime.

The Hron originates in the Horehronské podolie basin at an altitude of 934 m above sea level. This picturesque spot surrounded by mountains boasts, above all, excellent accessibility. You can reach it via a short, pleasant walk from the village of Telgárt, taking approximately 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can drive your car right up to the access road to the spring. It is precisely this convenient location and picturesque surroundings that make Prameň Hrona a popular destination for families with children as well as vacationing seniors.

Locals take great care of the spring, and its surroundings are very neatly maintained. A small wooden shelter is built inside the area protected by a low wooden fence. It is inside this subtle miniature house that the river begins its journey, a river whose basin covers an incredible 11% of Slovakia's territory. It is hard to believe that this modest spring transforms along its path into a roaring stream with a length of 279 km, flowing all the way to Štúrovo, where it empties into the Dunaj (Danube). The excursion spot of Prameň Hrona itself is complemented by interesting information boards and a wooden shelter with seating. Here, you can spend pleasant moments with your loved ones at the very place where the river is born in the embrace of beautiful Slovak nature.

Whether you set off to Prameň Hrona to fulfill your "patriotic duty" or stop by as part of your wanderings through Horehronie, be sure to set aside time for a walk to the nearby Chmarošský viadukt, an impressive railway bridge that forms part of the Telgártska slučka loop. And if you decide to spend a long weekend in Telgárt, do not miss a trip to Ranč pod Ostrou skalou, where you can ride a horse or swing on a giant swing built over a sloping hillside, as well as a visit to the underground ice kingdom of Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa. The excursion options around Telgárt are truly divers, just like the range of accommodation options near Prameň Hrona. Cottages and chalets in Telgárt boast excellent affordability and picturesque surroundings intertwined with trip opportunities.