Súľovské Skaly

Useful Information

Location:	Súľov-Hradná na Považí, near Žilina. (49.178195, 18.589860)
Open:	no restrictions. [2021]
Fee:	free. [2021]
Classification:	Natural Bridge.
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	Ar=5.43 km².
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Súľov Rocks, Súľov 57, 013 52 Súľov-Hradná, Tel: 0905 427 608.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1973	declared a National Nature Reserve.
1975	marked educational trail built.

Description

Súľovské Skaly (Sulov Rocks) is a group of limestone cliffs which form extraordinary forms which resemble castles and bridges. The most impressive natural bridge is called the Gotická brána (Gothic Gate) and is obviously the ruin of a cave. The former castles in the rocks are also ruined, there are only a few pieces of walls which remain. And there are numerous outlooks, which offer great views. A marked educational trail is 7.5 km long and has 16 stops, which are supplemented by 17 information boards.

The limestone cliffs can be found on both sides of the valley of Súľov-Hradná. The rocks contain numerous caves and there are trails through the rocks. The biggest and most popular cave is Cave Šarkania diera which is located at the north-eastern side. The rocks and pinnacles with the ruins of the castles Súľov, Lietava and Hričov are located on the western side of the valley. The trails are quite popular with families because the trails are not that long and there is much less height difference as in the trails of the nearby Tatras. Parts of the trails, especially on the routes to Hrad Súľov (Sulov Castle), are equipped with ladders and chains.

The rocks are an Eocene (Tertiary) limestone conglomerate which is imperfectly layered which probably formed along the limestone cliffs of the sea. Its basement consists of older Mesozoic dolomites and marly Shale Formation. The rocks were folded during the Neogene and the result is a typical relief inversion in which rocks in the axial part of the anticlinal underwent erosion while the synclinal parts resisted and became the ridges.