National park · Slovakia
Slovak Karst National ParkSlovenský kras
Buy a park ticket (≈ €5‑10) at the main gate, drive 30 min from Rožňava, then hike Zádiel valley (3 km (1.9 mi), easy) or Ochtinská aragonite cave (45 min, easy) in summer; avoid November‑March for cave closures.Buy a park ticket (≈ €5‑10) at the main gate, drive 30 min from Rožňava, then hike Zádiel valley (1.9 mi (3 km), easy) or Ochtinská aragonite cave (45 min, easy) in summer; avoid November‑March for cave closures.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
346 km² (134 sq mi)134 sq mi (346 km²)
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Slovakia ↗Slovakia is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Slovakia ↗Motorways and expressways need an electronic vignette bought before you drive on them.
- Slovakia ↗Many high trails in Tatra National Park close seasonally (roughly November to mid-June); check the park's current closures before planning a hike.
At a glance
- Country
- Slovakia
- Area
- 346 km² (134 sq mi)134 sq mi (346 km²)
- Park covers roughly 340 km² of karst landscape (check official source for exact figure).
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Slovak Karst National Park protects a limestone plateau with over 700 caves, deep abysses and dramatic karst valleys; it shares the UNESCO World Heritage Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst designation.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1995Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst.
Size and age
346 km² (134 sq mi)134 sq mi (346 km²) · national park since 1995
Park covers roughly 340 km² of karst landscape (check official source for exact figure).
Why go
- Explore over 700 caves, including Domica and Ochtinská aragonite cave.
- Walk dramatic karst canyons such as Zádielska dolina.
- See deep vertical abysses like Čertova diera (186 m).
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanCold, many caves closed.
- FebCold, limited access.
- MarEarly spring, some caves still closed.
- AprMild, most caves open.
- MayPleasant weather, good hiking.
- JunWarm, all attractions accessible.
- JulPeak summer, ideal for caves.
- AugWarm, dry.
- SepLate summer, fewer crowds.
- OctCooler, some caves start closing.
- NovMost caves closed.
- DecWinter closures.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bats in cavesJun–Sep · Disturbance prohibited. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Alpine flora on karst plateausMay–Aug | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate & visitor centre | Ticket office, information, parking. | Open daily, fee required. |
| Zádielska dolina | 3 km (1.9 mi) karst canyon, viewpoint over cliffs.1.9 mi (3 km) karst canyon, viewpoint over cliffs. | Free, trailhead at village parking. |
| Cave area | Domica, Ochtinská, Gombasecká, Jasovská, etc. | Guided tours, some require reservation. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official park site; approximate for trailheads.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry ticket | EUR 5–10 (≈ US$6–12) | person | Check at gate; covers main trails. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for most cave tours.
- Camping
- Not allowed in the park; use nearby villages.
- Drones
- Prohibited without special permission.
- Fire
- Open fires forbidden; use designated grills.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
Where to stay
Near the park
Farebný penzión
Budget guesthouse near Zádiel valley, €10 per person.
Near the park
Rožňava town
Various hotels and hostels, 30 min drive to park.
Safety
Cave darkness medium
Getting lost on trails high
Cold weather in winter medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate reachable by car; short walks to trailheads.
- Cave tours may have steps; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in local guesthouses to support villages.
- Choose guided cave tours that follow conservation rules.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Slovak Karst National Park?
A park ticket costs roughly €5‑10 per adult; children may pay less. Purchase at the main gate.
What are the best hikes in Slovak Karst National Park?
Zádielska dolina (moderate, 3 km) and the trail to Čertova diera (steeper, requires good orientation).
When is the best time to visit Slovak Karst National Park?
June to September offers warm weather and full access to caves; spring and early autumn are also good, but some caves close in winter.
Do I need a guide for the caves?
Yes, most caves require a guided tour; the park issues tickets for guided visits.
Are there accommodations inside the park?
No overnight facilities inside; stay in nearby villages such as Rožňava or guesthouses near trailheads.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go