Summer is an ideal time to wander in Slovak nature and discover rare natural treasures, several of which have gained international recognition for their unique value and beauty.
Many natural sites in Slovakia bear a UNESCO brand, whether it is one of our four UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (Poľana, Slovak Karst, Eastern Carpathians and Tatras), UNESCO Global Geopark Novohrad-Nógrád or our two natural sites inscribed on the World Heritage List: Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst and Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe.
Poloniny National Park in Eastern Slovakia is a unique territory that combines UNESCO World Heritage designation and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, as well as the prestigious European Diploma. Poloniny form part of the world's first tripartite biosphere reserve, along with forests in Poland and Ukraine. Biosphere reserves are areas with rich endemic flora and fauna, the aim of which is to explore the relationship between man and nature and thus contribute to sustainable living and development. They are supervised by the UNESCO International Program "Man and Biosphere" (MAB).
The rarest parts of Poloniny National Park, together with rare forests in the Vihorlat Mountains, were awarded the UNESCO World Heritage designation as part of the international inscription of Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe in 2007. Over time, several European countries with rare areas of beech forests have joined the initial inscription, thus deepening international cooperation in the protection of natural heritage.
In Bukovské forests (part of Poloniny) there are three localities inscribed on the World Heritage List: the forests of Havešová, Rožok and Stužica. These are the oldest and rarest parts of European beech forests, where trees grow to record heights. Many endemic species of plants, fungi and animals live in the forest, such as the blue Carpathian Slug. Also worth a visit is the highest peak of the biosphere reserve, Kremenec, which forms the border between Slovakia, Poland and Ukraine.
Parts of Vihorlat Forest are also inscribed on the World Heritage List. The most famous attractions there are Sninský kameň with a breath-taking panoramic view and Morské oko lake with beautiful clear water.
Another interesting feature of the Poloniny National Park is the fact that it is one of the most suitable places in the world for observing stars. The light pollution in the area is so low that it has entered the World list of dark sky protected areas.
In the vicinity of the Carpathian beech forests there are many cultural monuments that will make your trip more pleasant, such as war memorials or wooden articular churches. We wish you a pleasant journey.