Nature

Drevenik – National Nature Reserve

Drevenik – National Nature Reserve was declared one of the oldest protected areas in Slovakia in 1933. Drevenik is our most extensive travertine territory with karstic morphology. It was created by connection of travertine mounds settled from mineral springs. Its contemporary form resembles Table Mountain inclined slightly north-east.

NATURA 2000 Travertines at Spisske Podhradie

Travertines at Spisske Podhradie represent the most extensive travertine complex in Slovakia. The system of travertine structures, so called mounds, emerged in the places where mineral water discharges subsided in the long term – on lineamentals of Hornad Basin flysch subsoil. The oldest one is Drevenik and the castle mound which came to existence at the end of Tertiary period but the most of the structures came from Quaternary period.

Rajtopiky - National Nature Reserve

It is located near the village of Dubrava to protect western slopes that are built of rich slates, quartzites and Triassic dolomites with a well-preserved biocenose of rocks and five forest types. The occurrence of koeleria is very significant. This area is suitable for ecotourism and hiking.

Sobotisko – Nature Reserve

It is a part of the travertine mounds complex in the vicinity of the town of Spisske Podhradie. Rendzina – warm and calorific soil was created at the top of the travertine mound. It is overgrown by thermophilic and xerophyte vegetation of a steppe character with rare elements. It was a pasture originally, today it is wooded. In terms of prehistory of a man, Sobotisko is a crucial area. Rock tools and traces of fire place that date back to the period of Palaeolithe (mousterian culture) flooded in travertine mounds were found in a small travertine mining hollow on the east slope of the mound.

The Grey Beard) - National Nature Reserve

It is attractive for the contemporary activity of its four mineral springs. Travertine is being coagulated of these springs. The diameter of a travertine mound base is approximately 500 m, the relative height is 25 m. Yellow-brown sediments, the lower part of the mound, are the oldest geographical structures of Siva Brada. The upper part is light grey and it is younger. A little lake, approximately 5 m wide and 20-30 cm deep, is situated on a top of the travertine mound and we can see permanent eruptions of CO2 and H2S through its water.

The Little Lake at Pazica – National Nature Reserve

It is one of many mineral ground water discharges in the area between the village of Baldovce and Siva Brada. The mode of the ground water discharge is characterized by major changes depending on rain in a wider area. The surface of the lake rises and falls and almost disappears while it is possible to notice permanent gas extrusion on the floor of the lake.
It is suitable for hiking and horse-riding tourism.

The Sharp Hill – National Nature Reserve

This travertine mound is situated between the Spis Castle and Drevenik. At the end of Tertiary the travertine settled here, like at Drevenik. The former cupolaed shape of Ostra Hora disrupted during the period of Pleistocene. At first, the surrounding soft flysch complex was disrupted and carried away. This left the travertine body with steep walls and slopes alone. Later on, the mechanical weathering and karst process began on the travertine.
It is suitable for ecotourism, hiking and paragliding.