Where to go on a trip Rákoš (okres Revúca)

Tunel pod Homôľkou, also known as Slavošovský tunel, is located in the nature of the Štítnická dolina and Revúcka dolina valleys. This structure, which was once meant to connect interesting places, is an unfinished railway tunnel situated in one of the ridges of Stolické vrchy below the Homôlka peak at an altitude of 744.8 m above sea level. Today, it has become a popular tourist attraction that, in addition to exploring its mysterious spaces, offers other opportunities for recreation and entertainment at this location.

Getting to this tunnel is possible if you turn off the main road in the village of Slavošovce toward the valley. The road to it is not very well marked, but if you stick to the marked hiking trail, know that you will manage it successfully. The route from the village center takes approximately 20 minutes on foot and is suitable for everyone, from young children to seniors.

Construction of Slavošovský tunel began in 1941, when we wanted to connect even more with the surrounding world and had no other alternative for a train connection on our territory, as borders began to change. The first breakthrough of the tunnel occurred in 1944. Unfortunately, due to the end of the war and the Slovak National Uprising (SNP), the tunnel was not completed. If you visit today, you can notice that the tunnel is built in the shape of the letter S. It is 2,400 m long, and exploring all of its interior with a headlamp on your head or a flashlight in your hand can be done within 1 hour. However, it depends on how fast you walk. Claustrophobics avoid this place by a wide berth, as there is a sort of "horror atmosphere" prevailing here; you can feel moisture and cold, and all around you is darkness. A visit to this tunnel thus offers an unusual adrenaline experience. The entrance to the tunnel is not fully finished. You descend into it via a wooden staircase with a handrail, where extra caution is required due to slipperiness. Passing through the tunnel is always at your own risk. The only certainty you have here is that no train will run you over.

The Gemer nature hides a wealth of indescribable beauty within itself. If you head here, you certainly will not regret it. You will find peace, harmony, and perhaps a touch of inimitable fairy-tale atmosphere. In the Slavošovce section of the tunnel, an area focusing on fairy tales by Pavol Dobšinský has been built in front of its entrance. You can relax after a light hike under a shelter at the campsite. You can read interesting information on a 3D information board here. The location is sought after primarily by cyclists, as the tunnel is designated as one of the official cycling routes. Mushroom and berry pickers will also find plenty to enjoy here.

The region will win you over with a multitude of trails and routes for cyclists and hikers alike. You can also set off to the beautiful Ochtinská aragonitová jaskyňa cave. Did you know that aragonite is a rare mineral that occurs only very seldomly? Come and see it here. There are only two such beautiful caves in the entire world. In winter, you will be thrilled by the opportunity to try snowmobiles in the village of Rejdová. A ride on them will delight you so much that you will want to try it more than once. You can step back into the past during a visit to Štítnický hrad (or Štítnik castle). Significant industrial monuments include Huta Etelka. In the past, metallurgical materials extracted in the Gemer region were smelted in this furnace.

Are you interested in exploring even more attractions? Then book accommodation near Slavošovský tunel. There are many accommodation facilities on offer where you can spend a very pleasant stay. Will you choose cozy cottages for your overnight stay, or will affordable private accommodation suffice? We leave the choice entirely up to you! We are ready to gladly assist you.

The Vodná nádrž Teplý vrch reservoir is located between the villages of Teplý vrch, Budikovany, and Drienčany near Rimavská Sobota. On almost 5.98 km², you can indulge in all kinds of water fun. In the summer period, the water here reaches an incredible 28 degrees, which is also why this water reservoir is a sought-after holiday location in Slovakia.

The water reservoir was built on the Blh stream. Its shores are lined with both sandy and pebbly beaches. The beach is sought after not only by lovers of summer relaxation. Together with your children, you can also plan a bit of education in the protected area of foreign hickory groves, or along the Náučný chodník Driečanský kras educational trail. The more adventurous will be thrilled by the option of renting sports equipment at the rental shop. It will equip you with everything needed for windsurfing, paddleboating, or boating.

After water fun, you can refresh yourself in one of the nearby restaurants. If you don't secure accommodation in this location yourself directly through our portal, you can come with a tent or caravan and make use of the local campsite. Such a stay has a different charm altogether. Or would you rather choose a room in a guesthouse, hostel, or one of the surrounding cottages by the reservoir?

In the summer season, music from various cultural events and concerts carries across the water surface. In cooler weather, anglers will find their paradise here instead. Catching a common carp is a true joy for them. We can also recommend a bike trip to the game enclosure, which houses fallow deer and mouflons. There are truly plenty of leisure opportunities here.

Restroom facilities are a matter of course at the water reservoir. Surrounding the reservoir is beautiful nature suitable for trips and hiking. So all that's left is to plan your stay and enjoy all the attractions and available activities at the Vodná nádrž Teplý vrch reservoir.

In the village of Drienčany in the Rimavská Sobota district, the birthplace of the famous fairytale writer Pavol Dobšinský, you will find the ruins of a castle built in the 13th century. Although only minimal remnants of its walls have been preserved, this former medieval seat is shrouded in various stories and legends regarding its demise. Set off to find the castle hill and view the remaining ruins of Drienčanský hrad.

You can reach the castle directly from the village of Drienčany. The ruins are located on the edge of the village on an elevated castle hill. An information board in the village will direct you to the castle. Some of the local residents remember legends about the flooding of the castle by Hunyadi's troops. However, according to existing sources, the castle only fell into ruin in the 17th century. From that time on, it gradually deteriorated until the last remaining parts of the castle walls became overgrown with lush vegetation. The castle ruins are situated near a former quarry. One of the local stories mentions the quarry workers themselves, who blew open the cellar walls of the already ruined castle using dynamite. It is said they found wine so old in them that it was no longer even liquid. On the meadow of the castle hill, a booming sound can still be heard in some places when walking. This fact is also said to be evidence of the castle cellars, which are no longer accessible in any way.

If old castles and ruins attract you, we have a few tips for you in the surrounding area. Do not miss Hrad Sobôtka in Rimavská Sobota or Hrad Blh in the nearby village of Veľký Blh. Although only wall remnants remain that barely recall the once majestic castles with defensive ramparts, these places still hold their charm, especially for lovers of ruins.

The Gemersko-malohontské múzeum in Rimavská Sobota, which is the fifth oldest museum in Slovakia, will also immerse you in history. Take a look at permanent exhibitions such as History of Art or Ethnology, which is dedicated to several aspects of folk culture in the Gemer region. Choose accommodation near Drienčanský hrad and discover beautiful hidden corners. Book a modern apartment or a cozy guesthouse and enjoy your trip.

Sysľovisko na Bielych vodách near Muráň represents one of the largest and most popular ground squirrel colonies in Slovakia, where these small rodents have become accustomed to the presence of people.

The location is situated on the southern edge of the Národný park Muránska planina (Muránska Planina National Park), approximately 2.5 kilometers past the village of Muráň in the direction of Predná Hora, in the Revúca district. The ground squirrel habitat was established in a place where ground squirrels thrive thanks to the regular grazing of cattle and donkeys, which keep the grass short—a factor that is crucial for these animals in terms of safety from predators. Thanks to years of work by conservationists, the local ground squirrels are remarkably tame and are not afraid to come up to visitors if they sense food in the form of sunflower seeds, apple pieces, or carrots. In addition to hundreds of ground squirrels, the area is also home to the aforementioned donkeys, which are equally affectionate and complete the idyllic atmosphere of a mountain pasture. The observation season is limited by the ground squirrels' winter hibernation, so the location is mainly accessible from March to the end of September. The entire space is sensitively maintained with an emphasis on nature conservation and educating visitors about the importance of biodiversity in the national park.

What can you find here?

In the area, you will find extensive meadows dotted with hundreds of ground squirrel burrows and information boards about the life of the European ground squirrel and the protection of Muránska planina. At the entrance, there is a small snack bar or stall where you can purchase suitable food for the animals, and simple seating is also available. Part of the location includes a pasture for donkeys that move freely among people and love to be petted.

Who is the place suitable for?

The place is a total paradise for families with young children, who will be thrilled by direct contact with the animals and the opportunity to feed them by hand. It is also sought after by nature lovers, wildlife photographers, and tourists as a pleasant and easy stop while exploring Muránska planina. Given the grassy terrain, sports footwear is recommended, and on sunny days, one should not forget headwear, as the meadows are not shaded.

What can you visit in the surroundings?

From the nearby village of Muráň, a marked trail leads to the majestic Muránsky hrad, which is the third highest-located castle in Slovakia. You can also visit the recreational area at Predná Hora with a wellness center or go on a hike to the hunting lodge on the meadow below the castle. For cyclists, numerous routes are available in the area leading through the mountain passes of the plateau, such as Sedlo Zbojská with its popular shepherd's hut (salaš).

Predná Hora is a popular recreational resort surrounded by the pristine nature of Národný park Muránska planina. The recreational resort combines a top-class wellness center, various types of reconditioning stays, relaxation and rehabilitation programs for its clients, accommodation options, and an excellent restaurant. Relaxation in the resort will heal your body, and a stay in the picturesque nature will heal your soul. Visitors leave this place rested, full of energy, and in a good mood.

The history not only of the Predná Hora treatment facility, but also of the entire surrounding area dates back to the reign of the Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand Coburg. He loved the whole region and continued to visit Slovakia regularly even after his abdication. His residence was Kaštieľ Svätý Anton (Antolský kaštieľ), which in even earlier times served as a hunting castle for the Coburg family. Tsar Ferdinand also began building his winter residence, a manor house, but unfortunately, he did not manage to complete its construction. It eventually became a treatment institution.

Today, it is utilized as Odborný liečebný ústav psychiatrický, n.o. Predná Hora. Originally, it served as a tuberculosis sanatorium. It treats patients who voluntarily or by court order undergo treatment for addiction to alcohol, drugs, and pathological gambling. Patients need not only professional help, but also nature, which has helped to heal since time immemorial. That is exactly what they receive here to the fullest. All that is needed is strong willpower, the support of loved ones, and the entire mind will heal.

Rekreačný areál Predná Hora offers a wellness center (as part of the guest house), a wooden hut (koliba), an observatory, sports grounds, a children's playground, and accommodation facilities. It is a popular destination for various groups of guests. Families with children, corporate clients, groups of seniors, or hikers, everyone is welcome here. And everyone will find exactly what they need. The resort is multifunctional, and thanks to the fact that Muránska planina is not yet widely discovered by tourists, you will experience privacy here that is so very rare nowadays.

Families with children will appreciate the children's corner, Water World, where even the smallest ones can have a blast. They can climb up the castle (a children's playhouse), slide down the slide, and play with plenty of toys. An interactive screen with numerous games is also a big attraction. Parents will appreciate the entrance to the children's corner, as it is accessible only from the Wellness Bar. This means that while your children play and make friends, you can enjoy a drink undisturbed. All without the fear of your child running off unnoticed after surrounding attractions. Another children's corner lounge is located right next to the restaurant and bar. In favorable weather, be sure to spend time at the outdoor wooden playground with climbing frames, swings, a slide, and a sandbox. Older children will enjoy the game room with table football, billiards, darts, and a poker set.

The resort is an ideal place for companies and is virtually tailored for a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities. You can hold a smaller training session in a lounge equipped with modern technology. If it is not sufficient in capacity, you can use the restaurant premises. Many companies have already completed training or teambuilding here, which helped them energize their team, strengthen relationships, and gain a new perspective on their colleagues, the company, and their overall work.

Rekreačný areál Predná Hora even has its own brewery. In limited quantities, focusing not on quantity but on quality, they have been brewing specialty beers since 2017. They feature various flavors and top-quality ingredients, which is not always a given with commercially available beers. Enjoy relaxation to the sounds of pleasant music, tasting beer and various snacks, accompanied by a view of the beautiful Stolické vrchy mountains and the hamlets of Muránska Zdychava.

Various hiking trails and routes pass through the area, where you will find red, blue, yellow, and green hiking trail markers. Šindliarka, Salašná, Hrdzavá dolina, or Jaskova Muka. The entire Národný park Muránska planina opens up before you. We recommend visiting Muránsky hrad, the ruins of the third highest-located castle in Slovakia. You can also make a great trip to Vodopád pod Orlovou, Rozhľadňa Zbojská, or Slavošovský tunel. In winter, you can ski in the resorts Bánovo and Rejkovo in Tisovec.

To be able to experience all of this, the first step will be finding suitable accommodation near Rekreačný areál Predná Hora. The page accommodation Muráň will offer you the closest possible accommodation so that you are just a stone's throw away from the recreational resort. We will leave the rest of your trip planning to you, but if you want to use our tips for trips around the village of Muráň, we will gladly inspire you.

The year was 1896 when an exceptional technical work of that time, the Ozubnicová železničná trať Tisovec, was created between Tisovec and Pohronská Polhora. You might say that in the 19th century, railway transport in the territory of Slovakia experienced a great boom, and the effort was to bring a railway connection to every factory or extensive forest complexes. However, the steam cog railway in Tisovec is exceptional because it perfectly copies the steep slopes of the valley, overcomes dangerous gorges, and large elevation changes.

Precisely in places with a steep gradient, the track had to be supplemented with a rack, into which the locomotive's cogwheel meshed. This system ensured not only sufficient climbing of the train, but also its braking when traveling downhill.

The route of this exceptional technical monument started from the village of Bánov, continued through Zbojská, Pohronská Polhora, Podbrezová, and Brezno all the way to Tisovec. The main task of this line was to connect iron-producing factories in Podbrezová, Hronec, and Tisovec. The most difficult, most dangerous, and most interesting section of this route for visitors is the massif of the Slovenské Rudohorie. The total length of the track was 41.2 km. The highest point it passes through is the Zbojská saddle at an altitude of 785 m a. s. l. In the steepest sections, the gradient reaches up to 50.2 per mille. That is also why additional security had to be laid in these places.

Originally, Austrian steam locomotives from the Florisdorf company operated on the line. At that time, they were the most massive tender rack locomotives in all of Europe, operating at speeds of up to 25 km/h. There are numerous bridges, viaducts, and one tunnel with a length of 786 m on the track.

Today, the line serves only partially. It is used for scenic rides for tourists. If you plan a trip here, it is necessary to know that you must book tickets in advance. Although the train ride is not among the cheapest, the experience of riding through beautiful nature is worth it and will leave you with unforgettable experiences. And if you are lucky, a historic steam locomotive with an authentic plume of steam and the scent of smoke will also take you in historic carriages. At the railway station Tisovec, you can also tour the cog railway museum with interesting information panels, models, uniforms, and railway equipment.

And when the little railway takes you up to the Zbojská saddle, take a short walk with your little ones along the educational trail to the Rozhľadňa Zbojská. After the trip, you might enjoy a cooling bath at the Kúpalisko Klenovec. If you are hiking enthusiasts, you cannot bypass one of Europe's most beautiful national parks, the Národný park Muránska planina, or the history-shrouded Muránsky hrad.

After trips, you will probably appreciate a bit of rest with our accommodation providers, so it is nice to book accommodation near the Parnej zubačke v Tisovci. Will you prefer romantic and cozy Tisovec cottages or will you prefer the comfort of apartments? We will leave this choice entirely up to you.

Only a few villages in Slovakia can boast their own karst wealth. One of these exceptional villages is Bretka, located in the Rožňava district, less than 30 km southwest of the district town. On the territory of this small village, you can take a trip through a protected area, which also includes Hutnianska jaskyňa. Its mysterious underground without electric lighting breathes with ancient history.

Through a narrow karst valley, of which the underground corridor is also a part, you will be guided by the Prielom Muráňa educational trail. The starting point of your trip will be the village of Bretka. From here, you will follow an easy loop route approximately 3.2 km in length. Hutnianska jaskyňa will be your last, sixth stop. The underground corridor is 11 meters long. Since the cave is not illuminated, we recommend packing a flashlight or headlamp and sturdy footwear.

The underground is without dripstone decoration, which, however, does not detract from the cave's unique, mysterious atmosphere. Archaeological research has shown that the cave spaces were inhabited as early as the Bronze Age. Later, during World War II, the Germans had their command shelter here. Today, the cave is freely accessible to visitors for recovery and getting to know its natural beauty and historical values. In 1994, the underground was declared a natural monument.

You will probably be surprised, but Hutnianska jaskyňa is not the only accessible underground area in Bretka. Along the educational trail, you will also come across Jaskyňa Peško, whose underground passage is 17 meters long. In the immediate vicinity, we recommend visiting the remnants of one of the oldest Slovak fortresses, Hrad Gemer. And if you enjoy your time underground, head to the nearby Jaskyňa Domica or take a trip through the corridors of Gombasecká jaskyňa. If you decide to stay longer in Gemer, book accommodation near Hutnianska jaskyňa. You can choose from the accommodation offer in Bretka or opt for accommodation in Rožňava.