DISCOVER THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF SLOVAKIA
There are spectacular mountains
Around 80 percent of Slovakia lies more than 800 metres above sea level, and its crowning glory is the Tatras. The highest range in the Carpathians, they form a natural border between Slovakia and Poland, are a designated Unesco Biosphere Reserve, and contain some 100 high-altitude lakes and a clutch of waterfalls. They can be explored via a network of hiking paths.
“There is a raw, magical quality to the Tatra Mountains: a sense of living folklore,” wrote Rosemary Griffith, a Telegraph Travel reader, after a visit in 2013. “The air is almost metallic in its purity, the pastures a brilliant shade of green. Houses nestle on the slopes, their red roofs steep and long to accommodate heavy snow. Wild boar, wolves and brown bears roam the forests.”
There are great outdoor activities to do all year round
Hiking on all levels – from easy to difficult
You will find such untouched nature in Slovakia as hardly anywhere else in Europe, but you will not get lost thanks to a dense network of marked hiking trails. Whether you wish for a hike through deep valleys around gurgling waterfalls, ascend along a majestic ridge to a Tatra peak or an easy walk on an educational trail, you will certainly find your route here.
Winter sports
Winter sports are very popular in Slovakia thanks to well-equipped resorts that attract many local as well as foreign visitors. In the mountain areas there are 36 modern skiing resorts operating, they provide 350 km of downhill tracks and 600 km of cross-country tracks, thus offering great skiing conditions for everyone. You will get there by 1,000 ski tows and many cableways of the up-to-date design.
Besides skiing and cross-country you can do snowboarding, Ski-mountaineering, try a bobsleigh track, snow rafting or snowtubing, unique Boarder Cross track, Dog Sleigh or winter paragliding.
Cycling
Set in the lap of Slovak nature, which offers a rich array of fascinating experiences, enthusiasts of active and healthy relaxation can enjoy the breath-taking rock massifs, canyons and ravines, magical mountain valleys, amazing caves of world significance, meandering streams and cascading waterfalls, rare fauna and flora and so much more, from the saddle of one of the most ecological means of transport, a bicycle.
In addition to astonishing natural beauties, cyclists in Slovakia will discover all kinds of unique cultural heritage as medieval towns, romantic castles, chateaux and ruins, glorious manor houses and exceptional archaeological findings.
Water sports
Great number of rivers, lakes, tarns, ponds or artificial water reservoirs provide variety of water activities. From rafting down the Slovak rivers, either adrenalin rafting, or rafting in canoe, through a quiet raft trip while admiring scenery, rowing, diving, water-skiing, sailing, windsurfing, up to the ultimate test of your abilities in two artificial white-water courses in Liptovský Mikuláš and Čunovo. There are plenty to choose from!
Golf
Golf is a game of precision and patience, it tests your mind and technique. This sport makes you want to improve on every level - whether you are a beginner or a professional player. Fresh air can't harm you either. And that's why it's so popular, more and more so in Slovakia. The country offers beautiful environment of 12 golf courses and 10 golf academies. Well-equipped resorts provide highest quality services and great conditions for this sport.
There is rich culture and interesting history
It’s home to one of Europe’s most beautiful towns
According to the fine people at the Japanese Association of Travel Agents (JATA), Vlkolinec is one of the 30 most beautiful towns in Europe.
A World Heritage Site, the small hamlet is “a remarkably intact settlement of 45 buildings with the traditional features of a central European village,” says Unesco. “It is the region’s most complete group of these kinds of traditional log houses.”
And six other World Heritage Sites
With seven listed attractions, Slovakia - a country of just 5.4m people - punches well above its weight in the Unesco stakes. They include a collection of eight wooden churches built between the 16th and 18th centuries, and the ruins of Spiš Castle. There are 19 of the world's eeriest abandoned castles.
