Caves Vikartovce

In the north of Slovakia, there are several famous caves. In the region of the Vysoké Tatry mountains, only two are open to the public. One of them is Belianska jaskyňa, and the other is Važecká jaskyňa. The cave lies in the village of Važec of the same name, which neighbors the village of Východná, famous for its folklore.

You will find the village of Važec very easily. It is located right by the highway between Liptovský Mikuláš and Poprad. It offers unique views of the entire Vysoké Tatry mountains, and the cave could hardly have a more beautiful backdrop. Važecká jaskyňa features classic cave decorations. Here, you will find many dripstones, sinter pools, stalactites, and stalagmites. You can see with your own eyes what the difference is between them. Inside the cave, refreshment awaits you in the form of temperatures around 7 degrees Celsius. The cave is standardly open almost all year round, with the exception of Mondays.

The entrance to the cave was known to local residents for many years. However, explorers entered its dark depths for the first time only in 1922. The first visitors came in 1928, when it operated in a provisional mode. The definitive opening to the public took place in 1954; until then, research and discoveries of new cave spaces were underway.

The cave decoration is interesting due to its coloring. There are not only classic yellowish dolomites, but also blue-white and glassy blue limestones and dolomites. Under artificial lighting, they create an interesting color contrast.

Važecká jaskyňa is famous for the archaeological discovery of cave bear remains. An exposition focused on this predator is part of the cave's guided tour route. Here, you will find its remains, a restored skeleton, and a statue of a cave bear. This will give you a better idea of its appearance and size. You will learn even more about its life from the educational panels.

The tour route is relatively short, spanning only 235 meters and taking about 25 minutes. Nevertheless, you will learn a lot of interesting information and see decorations in a small area that many other caves cannot boast of, while the cave bear exposition will surely intrigue many of you.

It will be most convenient to stay right in the village of Važec. You have a choice of classic guesthouses at your disposal. If you prefer more privacy, you can stay in a private room or a cottage. The choice is yours; in any case, you will have Važecká jaskyňa around the corner and the beauty of the Vysoké Tatry mountains right outside your windows.

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.