Caves Stredné Slovensko

You do not have to be a speleologist to discover the secrets of the underground in Jaskyňa Kremenia, which is situated in a quiet part of the picturesque village of Horné Pršany. This natural monument, referred to as Kremenia jaskyňa, is a sought-after destination for many tourists, also because it is one of the few caves formed in rock (quartz) where caves do not usually form.

Do not hesitate for even a minute and put on your hiking boots so you can explore the beauties of Kremenia jaskyňa. You can reach it very easily, following the yellow hiking trail from the village bus stop. During a 20-minute walk, you will listen to the chirping of birds and breathe in the fresh scent of the forest. The route is easy and will lead you safely to your destination. Although the entrance to the cave is slightly turned away from the trail, you can find it easily. You could say that Kremenia jaskyňa looks like a chamber with holes at first glance. It offers its visitors up to five different access points, with one entrance forming a beautiful rock window.

The subject of this protected natural area is to ensure the protection of a site with a pseudokarst cave that documents the final phases of post-volcanic activity in the territory of Kremnické vrchy with a great variety of surface landforms. On its ceiling, small 1–5 mm wart-like calcite sinter formations occur sporadically. You will also learn information about the cave on the information panels along the trail.

You can also make this short hike special by stopping at Rozhľadňa Lažtek, which is part of the local educational trail. In the village of Malachov, you will in turn enjoy the excellently marked Malachovský náučný chodník. Together with children, you can also head to Pony farma Suchý Vrch or have fun for the whole day at Bounce park 17. A refreshment in the pools of Aqualand - Plážové kúpalisko Banská Bystrica will also hit the spot nicely.

You do not want to rush back home? Then try searching for suitable accommodation near Jaskyňa Kremenia. We believe that the offer of cottages Horné Pršany as well as other accommodation in Horné Pršany will appeal to you, and you will decide to stay longer. We will gladly help you with your choice.

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.

You can admire nature in all its strength in Jaskyňa Mažarná, located in the cadastral area of the village of Blatnica, in the Martin district, within the Žilinský kraj. This cave is mainly known to hikers who have climbed the Tlstá peak at least once. So put on your hiking boots and discover all the beauty of Veľká Fatra.

The Veľká Fatra mountain range is also sought after for the very interesting Jaskyňa Mažarná. It is located at an altitude of 930 m a.s.l. It is situated roughly in the first third of the ascent to the aforementioned peak, about 3 km from the nearest parking lot. Therefore, if you want to take a break and admire the underground beauty, be sure to include it in your full-day trip itinerary.

The cave itself is not very large, reaching a total length of 130 meters. Inside, you can admire impressive weathered flowstone decorations consisting of thick stalagnite columns, flowstone pools, and soft flowstone in white, yellowish, and beige colors. Its uniqueness also lies in the narrow crevices and fissures created by water action, which give it a distinct character. The cave has two passages, the Garnet Passage (Granátová chodba, named after garnet finds from the SNP) and the Column Passage (Stĺpová chodba), behind which lies the Pool Hall (Jazierková sieň).

An interesting fact about the cave is that it was inhabited by humans in the Bronze Age. The cave thus ranks among the highest-altitude inhabited caves in Slovakia. It is especially worth seeing during the winter season. This is precisely because the cave becomes a home for bats at that time. Note that remains of the cave bear were also found here.

If you choose only the cave as your destination, you can reach it via a 4 km yellow-marked trail from the village of Blatnica through Vápenná dolina. You do not have to worry about any entrance fee or opening hours. The cave is freely accessible. While exploring it, you may notice one of the rock overhangs that reminds many of the half-open mouth of a large animal. Take our advice. It is ideal to book accommodation near Jaskyňa Mažarná. After all, taking in all its beauty takes a bit more time.

Come to the village of Blatnica. Its locals will welcome you with open arms and provide you with the best accommodation in Blatnica. It is up to you whether you choose a cottage or private accommodation in Blatnica. Many visitors have come to love the village for its numerous attractions. Among them is Blatnický hrad castle or Mlynčekovo. Enjoy your stay in our fantastic Slovakia.

Jaskyňa mŕtvych netopierov is one of the most extensive and most important high-mountain caves in Slovakia. It is also the only accessible high-mountain cave in the country. It is located at an altitude of 1,520 m a.s.l. on the southern side of the Ďumbier massif in Nízke Tatry.

Accessibility to the cave is possible from several directions. From the village of Bystrá towards Trangoška, and from there on foot for approximately 1 hour via a mountain trail to Chata M. R. Štefánika. The second route also leads from the village of Bystrá, but towards Srdiečko, where you will take the cable car to the Kosodrevina intermediate station, or all the way to the top of Chopok peak, and from there on foot to the aforementioned mountain hut. From the Liptov side, a hike on foot is possible from Liptovský Ján, or from the Jasná - Biela púť ski resort by cable car to Chopok and from there on foot to Chata M. R. Štefánika.

The cave is accessible from March to December on weekends, and during the summer holidays, it is open daily. In the months of January and February, it is completely closed. Before you head out for a trip here, check the admission fees and opening hours directly on the official website. Every entry must be reported and reserved in advance by phone or email.

The cave tour is possible on three routes. Route A, approximately 1 km long, can be completed even with children. It leads through the central 7th floor of the cave and consists mainly of rock paths and wire-rope ladder belays. For the more demanding, there are routes B and C, speleotrekking tours made accessible by the speleological guide service. These are accessible only to physically fit persons over 18 years of age. The first of them is slightly less demanding and takes approximately 2 hours. The second one is for advanced visitors with climbing experience, as the truly demanding cave terrain is exposed almost continuously. It lasts approximately 3 hours.

Kozie chrbty, a relatively small limestone massif with deep folding, is 2 km long and 300 m wide. In its depths, it hides an intricate tangle of corridors across a total of (so far known) 14 floors and 2 parallel branches. The currently mapped length of the cave is 19,885 m, with a depth of 324 m. The largest underground space is located directly under Chata M. R. Štefánika. It is the well-known Bystrický dóm hall with a volume of up to 52,500 m³. It is located on the 7th floor, at a depth of 180 m.

An interesting feature is a huge find site of bat bones, the age of which is estimated at 6,000 years. It is precisely to this largest bat burial ground that the cave owes its name. Besides these, however, bones of small rodents, martens, brown bear, and goat were also found on the edges.

Another interesting feature of the cave is the occurrence of volcanic rocks from the Cretaceous period. These are folded into the limestone formation and appear in several cave passages. You can recognize them by their reddish-brown or green color. White-pink agate is also present here.

Since 2001, the cave has been declared a national natural monument. Its environment is cold, humid, and dark, but it has a beneficial effect on the upper respiratory tract. Its average temperature reaches 3.5 °C, while some of its parts do not exceed a temperature of more than 1 °C year-round. For this reason, warm clothing and, of course, suitable sturdy footwear are required to enter the cave.

To become a real cave explorer for a moment and visit what is probably one of the oldest caves in Slovakia. Are you still hesitating? There is nothing to think about, but we recommend taking enough time for the tour and not rushing. It will be ideal to book accommodation near Jaskyňa mŕtvych netopierov so that you don't rush the excursion, but fully experience it, or combine this unique experience with other nearby attractions.

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.