Caves Slovenské rudohorie

Caves attract many tourists. Their beauty and mystery, normally hidden from our sight, can take your breath away. Imagine a place where sunlight does not reach, a realm of mythical gnomes. A fairytale idea. We will take you to just such a place. And even something more. Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa is a crystal-clear kingdom frozen in eternal ice.

Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa is far from ordinary. Unique is its ice decoration as well as its location. Compared to other ice caves, the cave is situated at a lower altitude. Due to all these unique features, it is inscribed on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List. And not just anything makes it onto this list.

You will find the cave near the village of Stratená in the cadastral area of the town of Dobšiná. It lies on the main route between Poprad and Rožňava in a beautiful environment near Slovenský raj. When you arrive in Stratená, you will certainly look forward to the tour. And indeed, there is much to look forward to. Expectation will be raised by an educational trail leading to the entrance of the cave. On the way, you will pass 5 information boards that will familiarize you with the nature of Slovenský raj, its gorges, as well as its plants and animals. In front of the cave, there are additional information panels full of engaging facts focused directly on Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa.

The cave did not always have the grand name known today; locals used to nickname it "ice hole" due to the cold spreading from it. The first explorers entered its depths in 1870, and just a year later it was opened to the public. It thus became one of the earliest opened caves in the world. Definitive electric lighting was installed in the cave in 1887. An interesting fact is that public ice skating was permitted here for a certain period.

The length of the route accessible to tourists is 515 meters of icy magnificence. A half-hour tour will show you the most precious, permanently glaciated parts of the cave, mainly Veľká sieň and Malá sieň. Prepare yourself for a considerable temperature shock; in the coldest parts of the cave, it can drop to -4 °C. So do not forget to bring warm clothing.

In the cave, you will admire not only floor ice, but also ice pillars and icefalls. Be assured that the ice in the cave has accumulated over centuries. The proof is its maximum thickness of more than 26 meters.

The surroundings of Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa are full of points of interest; the beautiful nature of Slovenský raj speaks for itself. Since this is one of the most sought-after tourist locations in Slovakia, you will have no shortage of pleasant accommodation. Pleasant small guesthouses with a family atmosphere predominate here, where you will feel right at home. The offer of chalets in the beautiful mountain environment is also varied, where you will be woken up by the chirping of birds. The environment of Dobšiná is enchanting, and rest assured that you will want to return here soon.

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.

Nature is the creator of the most tempting attractions and sights. You can see for yourself near the village of Drienčany located in the Rimavská Sobota. An interesting educational trail will lead you through the picturesque Drienčanský kras, with its second-to-last stop being Malá Drienčanská jaskyňa. A smaller but all the more appealing karst formation will charm you not only with its shaped walls, but also with an engaging period installation from the Kyjatice culture period. It is the longest cave of the Drienčanský kras.

The educational trail K Malej Drienčanskej jaskyni was opened in 1992. The starting point of this interesting route is Centrum environmentálnej výchovy Drieňok. The trail has a total length of 7,540 m and consists of 15 stops with information boards. Malá Drienčanská jaskyňa cave represents the 14th point on this fascinating route. The passage through the underground space forms only a small, yet all the more inviting section of the trail. Its culmination comes in the form of peripheral karst lakes.

The depths of the cave will enchant you not only with their karst walls, but also with a unique atmosphere complemented by installations of a fireplace and replica vessels from the Kyjatice culture period. One moment you were walking through nature, and suddenly you find yourself underground in the period of 500 – 1,000 BC. The cave space has one vertical and several horizontal openings. The total length of the cave, situated on the left bank of the Blh stream, is 79 m.

An interesting fact is that the cave served its purpose even during the difficult period of World War II. Local residents who left their homes out of fear of the German army found shelter here. The cave provided them with a roof over their heads and space for a short-term stay. Currently, it is freely accessible to the public and, thanks to good accessibility, can be visited at any time of the year.

Do you like natural attractions and places that force you to pause for a short moment and pay homage to mother nature's creations? In that case, definitely set out on a wander through the Drienčanský kras. You can combine your trip with a tour of the ruins of Hrad Sobôtka or with relaxation at the Vodná nádrž Teplý vrch or at the Termálne kúpalisko Kurinec – Zelená voda. And to rest perfectly after a day full of experiences, book accommodation near Malá Drienčanská jaskyňa through our portal. Drienčany accommodation and options in the immediate surroundings present a selection of apartments and guesthouses that will surely not disappoint you with their hospitality.

Did you know that the lowest-lying ice cave in the world is located in the Slovenskom krase? Silická ľadnica is situated at an altitude of only 503 m a. s. l., and a yellow-marked tourist trail leading from the village of Silica will take you to it. The dominant feature of the Silickej planiny was formed in the Mesozoic middle Triassic limestones of the Silického príkrovu by the underground stream of the Čierneho potoka, which flows into the nearby Gombaseckej jaskyne. Despite the fact that the cave is not freely accessible, a pleasant hike awaits you, which even your little ones can manage.

The journey along the marked forest path will take you approximately 20 minutes at a leisurely pace. The staircase by the cave itself is slippery due to the presence of moisture, so increase your caution when descending. The entrance portal gate, which is partially iced over, will surely captivate you. At this altitude and latitude, this is an exceptional climatic phenomenon. This remarkable ice cave is 1,100 m long and its interior reaches a depth of up to 100 m. Archaeological finds prove that the cave was inhabited as early as the Neolithic period before it became iced over.

Behind the entrance abyss lies a hidden underground world accessible only to experienced cavers. The main, sloping part of the sinkhole is bordered by a 15 m high icefall, which divides the lower surface into two parts. At the bottom of the ice abyss is a 20 m long opening that leads to the Archeologickému dómu. Inside it is the active upper course of the Čierneho potoka, which reaches the surface via the nearby Čiernou vyvieračkou. To get further, cavers must use diving equipment and swim through the 60 m long Kufr siphon. Upon surfacing, they find themselves in an extremely gigantic cave space decorated with magnificent dripstone decoration.

Silická ľadová jaskyňa was formed approximately 2,000 years ago by the collapse of the ceiling of an older underground dome. If you have been wondering why this cave bears the attribute ľadnica, we have a simple explanation for you. Those who guessed that cold air accumulates in it, turning water into ice, are right. Throughout the year, the temperature inside ranges around -2 to -5 °C. Not only the ice decoration but also certain species of bats enjoy the sub-zero temperatures. In the winter months, it is inhabited by the greater mouse-eared bat, the lesser horseshoe bat, and the rare Bechstein's bat. Due to its exceptional value, it was declared a national natural monument in 1982, and thirteen years later it became part of the UNESCO world cultural heritage.

If you still have the appetite to explore, head to the nearby village of Slavec and visit the now accessible Gombaseckú jaskyňu. In addition to majestic stalactites, you will also be charmed by ultra-thin white soda straws up to 3 m long. Book your accommodation near Silickej ľadnice and dedicate a few days to the beauties of the Rožňavského okresu. You will find a rich offer of accommodation facilities on the website accommodation in Silica. Add water relaxation at Kúpalisku Roňava, horse riding at Konskom Dvore, and a visit to the legend-shrouded Hradu Krásna Hôrka to your exceptional experiences.

The lesser-known Krásnohorská jaskyňa cave is located in Národný park Slovenský kras, near the village of Krásnohorská Dlhá Lúka. Entry to the cave must be arranged in advance, as it is always accompanied by experienced cavers. The minimum number of participants is 4 people, and due to the difficulty of the tour, it is not recommended for small children.

Krásnohorská jaskyňa boasts a unique rarity. It is home to the largest dripstone in the temperate climate zone, standing at an impressive height of 34 meters. This is also why the cave was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. During your tour, you will feel like real cavers, as the conditions closely resemble those experienced by speleologists when discovering underground spaces.

Before the tour begins, you will receive complete caving gear, and off you go to explore. A pleasant temperature of around 9 °C awaits you, and up to 4 species of bats will properly welcome you to the underground kingdom. Your adrenaline will rise as you scramble through rubble, traverse an underground stream, and wade through its shallower parts.

It is not worth visiting Slovenský kras for just one day. We therefore recommend staying near Krásnohorská jaskyňa or finding accommodation in Rožňava and planning further trips in Rožňava and its surroundings. Definitely set aside an entire day to explore Národný park Slovenský kras. A piece of history awaits you at Hrad Krásna Hôrka as well as in the magnificent Kaštieľ Betliar, where the Slovak TV series titled 1890 was filmed. And to properly balance your underground experience, we invite you to enjoy an astronomical adventure right at Hvezdáreň Rožňava.

On Slovakia we have many well-known and extremely visited caves. Have you already been in Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa, Harmaneckej jaskyni či Domici and are you looking for some less known one? We have a good tip for you. It is Bystrianska jaskyňa.

It is located in the Nízke Tatry, just like its sisters, the well-known Demänovské jaskyne – Demänovská ľadová jaskyňa and Demänovská jaskyňa slobody. You will find it a piece from Brezno, right before Mýto pod Ďumbierom. It lies in the namesake village of Bystrá. Why visit it?

The character of the cave is somewhat different than the others. In them you will find large spacious domes and halls, but Bystrianska jaskyňa differs from them. In it you will find primarily narrow and high corridors, in which you will feel like a true caver. The cave is mainly from limestone and dolomite, which easily forms and similar karst forms arise in it. In the cave there is also the Peklo abyss, deep up to 56 meters. Despite the narrow corridors, you will also find beautiful halls with dripstone decoration here, for example Sieň Baldachýnov or Zrútený dóm. Company will be made for you during your visit by up to 8 species of various bats.

The entry parts of this cave were known by locals already very long ago. Into their interiors they however didn't dare for a long time, for the first time it was in the year 1923. The cave consists of two parts, Stará and Nová jaskyňa. Into that Nová one was descended through the aforementioned Peklo abyss. To opening for the broad public the cave lived to see in the years 1939-1940.

Today opened route of the cave has a length of 545 meters. It is suitable also for immobile visitors, since you will find here only 20 stairs, which with the help of others is not a problem to overcome. A curiosity of the cave is that the entrance and exit are in two different places. Other caves are sometimes longer, however along one place you go twice. Here you pass through almost all parts of the cave only once and you see more of it. Prepare yourself however for a low temperature and therefore dress yourself better. The whole route is almost without elevation change and you will enjoy it in every age. Do not forget, that on Monday is the cave closed for the public and select yourself for the visit on another day.

The surroundings are full of opportunities for spending free time. You can go to the massive Ďumbier, visit the nearby jaskyňu Mŕtvych netopierov or play golf. As a starting point will serve you stylish mountain accommodation, for example in nearby Mýto pod Ďumbierom, or Bystrá. Popular are cabins in nearby forests or cozy guesthouses or apartments with complete equipment. The Nízke Tatry are interesting also on their southern side and a visit to Bystrianska jaskyňa is ideal to find that out on your own skin.