Nature attractions Šuňava

Visitors to Horný Liptov will experience the atmosphere of rainforests in the impressive Hybická tiesňava gorge, which was declared a national natural monument due to its uniqueness. This unique natural phenomenon, falling within the Tatranský národný park, is located north of the distinctive village of Východná in the Liptovský Mikuláš district. The beautiful canyon-like valley was shaped by the inconspicuous Hybica stream in the soft limestone bedrock. For lovers of picturesque natural scenery, this little-visited place will become a paradise on earth.

This unique piece of nature combines steep stone crags rising to the sky, an impressive forest scenery rich in rare species of fauna and flora, and a pleasantly murmuring stream, which was the painter of this beauty in the past. The gorge also fascinates visitors with its high humidity, evoking the atmosphere of rainforests. A huge benefit of this place is its very low visitor numbers, preserving the naturalness and pristine character of the environment. This is mainly due to the fact that no marked hiking trail leads to Hybická tiesňava. You can only reach this breathtaking spot via a dirt road from the village of Východná or through the forest from the nearby village of Podbanské.

An interesting fact is that Hybická tiesňava is only 4 m wide at its narrowest point. In contrast, the towering overhanging crags lining the passage through the canyon reach an incredible height of 15–20 m in some places. The passage through the gorge currently leads largely through the streambed. Activists plan to build a hiking trail that should lead in the future from the birthplace of the famous movie outlaw, the village of Hybe. The trail through the gorge itself should be 3 km long.

If you decide on a vacation in Liptov this year, be sure to bring high-quality hiking boots with you and set out to explore this unique place. You can combine hiking in this location with a visit to Farma Východná or the popular Folklórny festival Východná, which takes place regularly on the first weekend of July. Your vacation in this region will certainly be made more pleasant by a wide range of accommodation options near Hybická tiesňava. You can make use of cottages and chalets in Východná and its surroundings, or accommodation in Liptovský Mikuláš, which includes a wide selection of guesthouses and hotels. A vacation in Liptov is an offer of unusual experiences and relaxation directly surrounded by unique 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.