The center of Europe
According to geographers, the center of Europe can be found in Slovakia, on the hilltop of the small village of Krahule, not far from the town of Kremnica in the central part of the country. This central country can be divided into two parts with very distinct landscapes: a mountainous area in the center and north, and a smaller plain area in the south.
Slovakia, a country that is two-thirds mountainous
Slovakia's mountains are part of the western arc of the Carpathian mountain range, which extends throughout Central and Eastern Europe.
The White Carpathians (Biele Karpaty). To the west of Slovakia, they form a natural border with the Moravian region of the Czech Republic. The name White Carpathians derives from the dolomitic composition of the rocks that make up this mountain range. Its highest point is Mount Velká Javořina, 970 m above sea level. It is covered by vast meadows, magnificent forests and, above all, orchid fields.
The Beskids (Beskydy). To the west of the High Tatras, they extend northwards along the border between Poland and Slovakia. Babia hora (1,725 m) is the most emblematic peak in this mid-range mountain range.
The High Tatras (Vysoké Tatry). The symbol of Slovakia on the flag and the pride of Slovaks in their hearts, the High Tatras boast more than ten peaks over 2,600 m in a stretch of just 26 km, with Gerlach Peak (Gerlachovský štít) at 2,655 m the country's highest point. Over a distance of 260 km, these "miniature Alps" are organized around three main tourist resorts: from west to east, Štrbské Pleso, Starý Smokovec and Tatranská Lomnica. They are all linked by an asphalt road and a railroad line running through the forest. From each of these centers, perfectly-marked trails lead to the various peaks, which require good physical condition. Even if this mountain range doesn't seem so high and impressive, don't forget that if you feel like hiking it, you need to respect it and bring the necessary equipment, including warm, dry clothes to face the cold of the heights.
The Low Tatras (Nízke Tatry). They face the High Tatras, separated only to the north by the E50 freeway that crosses the whole of Europe. This nature park stretches for 80 km, with the Ďumbier peak at 2,043 m. Many hikes of varying difficulty are possible, but the Demänová Valley (Demänovská Dolina) is a favorite playground for adventure seekers. A lovely hike, for example, leads from the Liptovská Mara lake near Liptovský Mikuláš to Mount Chopok (2,024 m) in the Jasná ski resort.
Grandes Fatras (Veľká Fatra). This small chain lies in north-west Slovakia. It is a favorite winter sports area for tourists, with the resorts of Malino Brdo near Ružomberok and Donovaly. It is also home to the traditional village of Vlkolínec and offers numerous hiking opportunities, not least to its highest point: Ostredok (1,595 m).
Petites Fatras (Malá Fatra). Located in north-west Slovakia, this is the country's fourth highest mountain range after the High Tatras, Low Tatras and Beskids. It boasts a rich and relatively well-preserved natural environment, including the 10 km-long Vrátna valley. It can be reached from the town of Terchová. This area has many signposted trails and mountain chalets for long, beautiful hikes lasting from one to several days. Those who like a challenge will climb the Veľký Kriváň, the region's highest peak (1,709 m), while sports enthusiasts will enjoy skiing in the pretty Vrátna Free Time Zone.
The Ore Mountains (Slovenské rudohorie). This mountain range is the most extensive in the country. It covers almost the entire southern half of the central part of the country. Unlike Slovakia's other mountains, it has a rather monotonous relief, with a slight mountainous character in its southern part. Thanks to their rich geological structure, the Metalliferous Mountains were once an important site for the extraction of various minerals, which flourished from the 14th to the 19th century. Siderite mining at Nižná Slana has now come to an end. However, the extraction of non-mineral materials such as magnesite and talc continues to this day.
The Pannonian Basin Plains for the other third
This basin extends across central, south-eastern Europe. It is divided into three distinctive parts of Slovak territory, two in the south-west, around the Morava River and the Danube, the third in the south-east at the border with Hungary and the Ukraine, in the ensemble known as the Greater Alföld. These areas are sedimentary basins inherited from the ancient Pannonian Sea, which existed here some 2 million years ago. Today, these fertile plains are mainly dedicated to agriculture and vine-growing. These vineyards are all lovely areas to discover, around Bratislava, in the Danube plain or to the east with the Slovak Tokaj.
Rivers and lakes
When it's hot, Slovakia has no access to the sea, so we look for places to cool off or swim. Here is a list of the country's main lakes. In central Slovakia, the favorite bathing spot is concentrated around Banská Štiavnica. An entire system of artificial lakes was created for mining purposes, and is now open to the public for all to enjoy. A little further north is the Liptov "sea", Liptovská Mara. This artificial lake has been partly developed as a recreational area, with second homes and rental accommodation. Some people sail here, others relax and swim. On the border with Poland, Lake Orava (Vodná Nádrž Orava) is the country's largest lake. Transformed into a nautical base, it's a popular summer spot. In the eastern part, there are the Morské Oko and Zemplínska šírava lakes.
In terms of waterways, Europe's largest river, the 3,000 km-long Danube, which flows through the capital Bratislava, forms part of the border with Hungary to the south. It plays an important role in linking the country to the Black Sea, as well as to Western European ports via the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. Its tributaries are the Hron, the Ipeľ and the Váh, the country's largest river.
A land of adventure
The best way to discover this mountainous, forest-covered country is to do as the locals do and go hiking. In this small country, over 15,000 km of marked trails have been laid out in the countryside or in protected areas, which account for 23% of the territory. There's plenty to choose from, but here are some areas where you won't be disappointed. The Slovak Paradise (Slovenský raj) is an area of outstanding beauty and unique facilities, with ladders and footbridges over vertiginous canyons. Prosiek Valley (Prosiecka dolina) is a karst valley in the Choč hills. This nature reserve of small mountains (the highest peak peaking at 1,372 m) contains countless natural treasures and fun hikes with a few footbridges to cross and ladders to climb.
In addition to these beautiful mountains, there are some 2,400 caves, 13 of which are open to the public. Among the most exceptional of these are the Dobšinská ľadová jaskyňa ice cave and the Ochtinská aragonitová jaskyňa aragonite cave. Dobšinská Ľadová Jaskyňa is an ice cave of international importance, inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List. Located in the Slovak Paradise, its temperature fluctuates between - 3 and 3°C. Until the 1950s, ice skating was practiced here, even in summer, and the area was also used for military training and figure skating at the Olympic Games. Ochtinská aragonitová jaskyňa, the Ochtina aragonite cave, lies to the west of Rožňava. Listed as a Unesco World Heritage site, there are only two other caves of this type in Mexico and Argentina. It was only discovered in 1954, totally by chance, by miners drilling a mine shaft. Aragonite is a mineral (calcium carbonate) that crystallizes in the shape of coral.
