SLOVAKIA ... Wild heart of Europe

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NP SLOVENSKÝ RAJ (Slovak paradise NP) ... missing wooden boards on footbridges :-)

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6. VYSOKÉ TATRY (The High Tatras NP) ... The High Tatras national park is the most beautiful in Slovakia. The High Tatras became the country’s first national park in 1948 and includes the mountain chains of Belianske Tatry (White Tatras) and Západné Tatry (Western Tatras), their length of 55 km making them one of the smallest mountain ranges of alpine character in Europe. The highest summit of the High Tatras, and of the whole Carpathians, is Mt. Gerlachovský štít, at 2655 m.
The High Tatras are mostly granite, the Western Tatras mostly of crystalline slates and the Belianske Tatry mostly limestone. There are 110 lakes, or mountain tarns in the park, which have been formed in glacial kettles. The deepest tarn is Veľké Hincovo pleso, with a maximum depth of 54 m. From among the park’s many waterfalls, the biggest is Kmeť waterfall, falling over 300m high steep step of extremly wild and unaccessible Nefcerka walley. In the High Tatras area there are many karst formations, though the only cave accessible to the public here is Belianska jaskyňa (1750 m long) with its fascinating stalactite-stalagmite decoration.
In the High Tatras national park, there are 1400 flora species, of which the most precious are Lady’s mantle and Euphrasia. The most interesting animals in the region include the original mountain goat, golden eagle, lynx, wolf and bear.

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[Aan]

If you have any questions regarding visit of Slovakia and especially Bratislava don't be affraid to ask here or write me PM, I'll try to help you with informations as much I can.

[wyqtor]

Hi, I've been in the Tatras 2 years ago and they're really awesome - but the visit made me really sad because of the massive deforestation due to the storm. Have new trees started growing again around the the main resorts? And how long until the damage will no longer be visible?

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hi, the huge winter gale in 2004 was really a disaster not only for high tatras, but for low tatras as well. its a really big issue, what to do next, because there are 2 approaches: one realised by state forestry management and another one by environmental organisations and scientists where they are prefering action-less approach and self-regulation processes. generally, in some protected areas we can see nice recovery progress realised only by nature, but man controlled areas around the resorts are still rather big meadows than new forest.

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7. NÍZKE TATRY (Low Tatras NP) ... The Low Tatras is about 80 km long mountain range, situated between picturesque valleys of the Váh and Hron river, in the East-West direction. Three peaks of the main comb reach the elevation of 2000 m. The highest are: Ďumbier (2043 m), Chopok (2024 m), Dereše (2004 m), Chabenec (1955 m) and Kráľova hoľa (1948 m). They all offer breathtaking view at Slovak mountains and valleys.
The Low Tatras are the second most visited mountains in Slovakia (after the High Tatras). A large number of new hotels, camping sites, ski lifts and other tourist services arose in this region in the last years. Despite this fact, real primeval forests with a lot of wild animals (including bears) still exist especially in the eastern part of the Low Tatras, in the area between Čertovica and Kráľova hoľa.
In the almost untouched forests you can choose from numerous interesting hikes. The path between Chopok and Čertovica is very attractive and popular between visitors. It offers wonderful views at valleys in the north and in the south. Demänovská Valley is the most famous and the most visited valley in the Low Tatras. It is 15 km long and is the main tourist centre in the northern side of the Low Tatras ridge.
Geographically and geologically it consists of two different parts: the upper part is closer to the main Low Tatras ridge. It consists of granite and creates a huge complex of valleys. The lower part consists of limestone and is very rangy. The upper part looks like a quadrangle with four peaks: Siná (1560 m) in the north-west, Krakova hoľa (1751 m) in the north-east, Ďumbier (2043 m) in the south-east and Poľana (1889 m) in the south-west. The Chopok peak (2024 m) is the most dominant peak in the middle of the southern side of the valley. The massif of Ostredok (1211 m) is in the north from the Chopok peak. The Demänovka and Zadná voda creeks flow both through the valley. Glaciers from the Ice Age created huge glacier valleys and moraines with Vrbické pleso (Vrbické Mountain-lake) and Lukové pliesko (Lukové Mountain-lake).
The lower part looks like a deep limestone canyon. It arose at the place where the creeks Demänovka and Zadné Vody meet together. The both creeks, before they meet, merge into ground and create world famous system of the Demänovské caves. The Demänovská ľadová jaskyňa (Demänovská Ice Cave) and the Demänovská jaskyňa slobody (Demänovská Cave of Freedom) are open to public.

[mirolesko]

In Slovakia is the largest stalagtit in World. It has around 33 meters. Stalagtit is located in krasnohorska cave.

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actually, it is stalagmit, but thanks for sharing anyway

[mirolesko]

Originally Posted by sqooth

actually, it is stalagmit, but thanks for sharing anyway

ok so stalagmit

[Balaputradewa]

wow..Slovakia is so nice, wonderful landscape Its so naturally ..!

[Beca]

Low Tatras:

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many thanks for sharing, beca

[Beca]

nothing at all... I really love Slovakia so maybe I'll post more photos here...

[Andres_RoCa]

Never knew this side of Slovakia. Thanks for sharing.

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Slovakian fairytale woods ...

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Paradise really exists ... in the National Park Slovak Paradise













MORE AREAS AND PHOTOS ARE COMING SOON ...

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Limestone kingdomes ...

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White Tatras mountains

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One of the most beautyful lake in High Tatras moutain ...