Harmanecká jaskyňa

Harmanecká Cave is a dripstone cave in the Veľká Fatra mountains, just a short distance from the village of Dolný Harmanec and about 16 kilometres northwest of Banská Bystrica. It lies in the Bralná Fatra subunit, on the northern slope of Kotolnica hill at an elevation of 828 metres above sea level, roughly 260 metres above the floor of the Harmanecká valley.

The entrance section, which locals called Izbica, has been known since time immemorial. Further, previously unknown spaces were dug into by M. Bacúrik in 1932, and speleologists then gradually discovered the Dóm pagod, Riečisko, Vysoký gotický dóm and Bludný dóm chambers. Today the cave's known length is 2,763 metres, with a 1,020-metre circuit open to the public.

The cave formed in dark-grey Guttenstein limestones of the Middle Triassic and represents a fissure-collapse type of cave. It arose through the corrosive and erosive action of sinking waters, and its underground consists of passages, halls and spacious chambers. Protected since 1968, it now holds the status of a national natural monument and forms part of the Veľká Fatra National Park.

The route to the cave leads through the quiet Harmanecká valley, which is worth visiting in its own right. Its location between Banská Bystrica and Turiec makes Harmanecká Cave a rewarding day-trip destination – and if you find accommodation in the area, you can easily combine the tour with hikes through the Veľká Fatra or a trip to the historic centre of Banská Bystrica. The underground's constant temperature is a pleasant bonus at any time of year.