Muranska planina National Park

Muranska planina National Park is a protected area in central Slovakia featuring limestone plateaus shaped by karst processes including caves, sinkholes, and rock formations. The park spans around 18,500 hectares and displays varied forest landscapes interspersed with dramatic stone features and canyons.

The area became a national park in 1997 after conservation work began in the 19th century when naturalists first studied and documented this karst landscape. Early recognition of the region's ecological importance eventually led to its protected status.

Muran Castle ruins perch on limestone cliffs, showing how people built defenses in medieval times to control this remote region. The ruins remain visible from many hiking routes, connecting visitors to centuries of human presence in these highlands.

The park is accessible from the towns of Tisovec, Muran, and Cervena Skala, with well-marked trails leading through different forest types and terrain. Paths range in difficulty, so visitors can choose routes matching their fitness level and experience.

The park contains over 500 caves, some featuring underground lakes and streams that form hidden drainage systems beneath the plateau. This underground water world is difficult to access but reveals the complexity of the region's karst geology.